How Does 3D Dental Printing Work?

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3D printing isn’t brand-new by any stretch, but all the same, you might not have heard very much about it in the dental industry. The practice is meant to revolutionize dental labs forever, even if some of the staff are still hesitant to try it.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Katy, TX who utilizes all the latest technology to both improve services and lower costs for patients, see how 3D printing works at Chloe Dental.

3D Dental Capabilities

There are a lot of potential ways to use 3D printing in Houston, TX:

  • New teeth: Any tooth that needs to be replaced can count on 3D printing as a solution. In this case, the dentist will scan the patient’s mouth, take a 3D image, and then use that image to create a design for an artificial tooth before it’s placed in the mouth.
  • Braces/Invisalign: A pre-3D printer can be used to scan the teeth before designing the appliance. Once the device has been calibrated to the patient’s mouth, it can be printed out without delay.
  • Crowns, bridges, caps, dentures, etc.: This process allows dental technicians to print off nearly any object in any material. Similar to how an implant would be constructed, this is precision printing at its best.

Find 3D Dental Printing in Katy or Houston, TX

3D printing is becoming more and more popular largely because it lowers the fees for dental work without compromising the quality of the procedure. With this option, dentists can streamline their services and pass the cost savings down to their patients.

If you want to learn more about whether you can use 3D printing to improve your smile, contact Chloe Dental for more information. With locations in both Katy and Houston, we’re here to use the best technology in the smartest possible ways.

Will My Dental Implant Look Like a Natural Tooth?

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Dental implants are one of the most popular and effective dental prosthetics available. One of the things that makes dental implants so successful is that they look and function like natural teeth. If you’re considering dental implants for yourself, it’s important to know just how natural your implants will look and feel. If you’re considering implants in Katy or Houston TX, here’s what you need to know.

Your Dentist Will Match the Color

There are many steps to getting a dental implant. One of the steps that your dentist will take involves color matching. Your dental professional will match the color of your teeth to the new implant. This way, your implant will be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Implants Look and Function Like Natural Teeth

Your dentist will also make an impression of your existing teeth, so the lab will be able to create a tooth that fits perfectly in the existing hole. Dental labs have gotten very good at creating teeth that look just like real teeth! The impression will help with this.

Ultimately, your new dental implant will look just like a natural tooth. It will also perform like a natural tooth, which means that it should be able to chew the foods you love. It will also need to be cleaned just like a natural tooth. Once the implant is in your mouth, you’ll need to clean it twice daily and floss it, just like a natural tooth. You’ll want to stay away from abrasive toothpastes, to avoid scratching the surface of your implant.

Your dentist in Katy or Houston TX can talk to you more about how to take care of your implant, to keep it looking just like your other teeth for years to come.

All-on-4 Dental Implants Explained

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If you have multiple teeth that are missing or too damaged for repair, All-on-4 dental implants may be a sound solution. All-on-4 is a patented dental procedure that implants four posts in your upper gums or 4 posts in your lower gums, or both, to hold full sets of prosthetic teeth.

The biggest benefit of All-on-4 dental implants is the improvement they make on your smile. But they function much better than damaged teeth, too, and they’re typically a more economical choice for patients who have multiple damaged or missing teeth. Your dentist in Katy, TX, can tell you more about this revolutionary procedure.

More About All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 dental implants are similar to dentures in that they replace complete sets of upper or lower teeth. This is where the similarity ends, however. All-on-4 implants are permanent and don’t have to be removed for brushing, flossing, eating, or sleeping. They’re held in place by metal or titanium posts that have been allowed to bond with your jawbone, so no dental adhesive is needed, and they won’t slide around in your mouth. Better, you can have temporary prosthetics in a day while you wait for your permanent set to be fabricated.

About the All-on-4 Dental Procedure

Before beginning the All-on-4 dental procedure, your dentist will schedule a consultation. They’ll examine your mouth, perform diagnostic tests, and remove damaged teeth and infection. Once your mouth is completely healed, they’ll implant the posts and place your temporary set of teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants are safe, attractive alternatives to damaged and missing teeth. You’ll have more confidence, and your new smile will be dazzling and brilliant. Your new teeth will function just like natural teeth, and they’ll look natural, too. Talk to Chloe Dental today about All-on-4 dental implants in Katy, TX.

What is Dental Implant Restoration?

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Dental implant restoration in Houston and Katy, TX is available for patients who need to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants consist of three essential components, but the visible result is an artificial tooth takes the place of the missing tooth. The implant itself is surgically placed inside the jawbone, where it holds in place a faux “root,” which replaces what used to be the tooth’s natural root. Then, a dental screw is installed in that dental implant, and the crown is installed atop that screw. The crown is the part that looks like the natural tooth.

What is Dental Implant Restoration?

Dental implant restoration is simply the process of restoring healthy teeth and gums with the use of dental implants. The restoration that is referred to has to do with the restoration of the smile, and the restoration of a correct bite in the patient’s mouth. Dental implants in Houston and Katy, TX are done on a frequent basis to help patients regain their smile and their confidence.

How Long is the Dental Implant Restoration Process?

When you get dental implants in Houston or Katy, Texas, your dentist will tell you all about the process so that you can be fully knowledgeable about what to expect. But in general, the dental implant restoration process is about the same with everyone. The most important thing to know is that it does not happen in one day like some other dental treatments. Multiple visits are needed over the course of several months. This is because the gums need to heal in between treatments. There may also be a need for some bone restoration, in which case the “resting period” may be even longer while you and your dentist wait for your bone growth to occur.

The final results with dental implant restoration are typically very amazing and transformative. Your dentist can restore and improve your smile and confidence with dental implants. Contact us today to learn more.

Dental Implant Procedure, Insurance Coverage, and FAQs

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Modern dentistry has made way for one of the most popular procedures to replace missing teeth. Explore the dental implant procedure and what to expect.

Are you missing at least one tooth? If so, you’re not alone — 120 million people in the U.S. have the same problem. What’s more, 36 million others no longer have any tooth!

In Texas alone, oral diseases have caused tooth loss in half of the adults between 45 and 64 years old. Also, one in every eight Texans older than 64 have no natural teeth left.

All these are shocking statistics, but there’s still good news. Dental implant therapy can give you natural-looking replacements for lost permanent teeth. They also feel more natural than dentures.

What exactly is the process for getting tooth implants though? Why are they a better choice than dentures and does insurance cover the procedure?

We’ll answer all these questions and more, so be sure to keep reading!

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is more of a tooth root replacement than an actual tooth replacement. The implant serves as a foundation for the abutment and the artificial tooth. An abutment is a small post attached to the implant, serving as a stable anchor for the artificial tooth.

Dental implants consist of titanium, a type of metal with excellent biocompatibility. This means that it’s not toxic to the body. It’s safe, durable, and will last a long time even with all your chewing and biting.

What Are the Common Types of Dental Implants?

The two main types of dental implants are endosteal and subperiosteal implants. The main difference between the two is the location of the implant.

Endosteal (endosseous) implants are surgically placed in the jawbone. They are the most commonly used type of implants today. Recent studies, like this one, have also found these implants to have up to a 99% patient satisfaction rate.

Whereas subperiosteal implants are implants placed under the gum tissue. But instead of being in the jawbone, they go on top of or above it. The gums, not the bone, will heal over the artificial tooth root.

These implants are often a good choice for people with a smaller or shorter jawbone. They’re lightweight, making them suitable for those who have a small jawbone structure.

How Does the Tooth Implant Procedure Work?

Once you decide to get implants from a dentist in Katy, TX, you may have to prepare for two surgical procedures.

The first one involves the surgical placement of the implants into or onto your jawbone. Where exactly depends on the type of implant your dentist will use.

After this, the implant undergoes “osseointegration.” This is the process that allows the implant to fuse with the jawbone. It can take between three to six months.

Also, your dentist in Katy can create a temporary appliance that you can wear during this time. This way, your mouth can still function well as the implant fuses with your jawbone.

Once the implant becomes a permanent part of the jawbone, you’re ready for the second step.

This involves attaching a small post to the implant and taking a Cerec scan of the implant area. The scanned images will allow your Katy dentist to create a natural-looking crown. It usually takes two to three days to create the replacement tooth.

All in all, the procedure can take between four and eight months. This also depends on how many implants you need.

Granted, this is longer than getting dentures. But remember: dentures are more temporary. Implants last longer, since they become a permanent part of your jawbone and your mouth.

That’s why implants are replacement teeth that look, feel, and work like natural teeth. Since they are part of the jawbone, they also help stimulate or “work out” the bone. This stimulation helps keep the bone from weakening.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Medicaid, Medicare, and other state insurances don’t cover tooth implants. The good news is, some private plans do. Others may also reimburse or refund part of your costs.

If you’re one of the 67% of Americans with a private health plan, check if it covers dental implants.

Private dental insurance plans may also cover some parts of your implant procedure. This may include anesthesia, or if needed, removing a diseased tooth.

Some medical insurance policies may also pay for or cover part of your implant procedure. But you may have to prove that the implants are “medically necessary.” An example is if you need an implant due to an accident that damaged your tooth.

Who Are Good Candidates for Tooth Implants?

You are a good candidate for dental implants if you have healthy gums. You do need to have enough jawbone though. This helps ensure that your bone will support and stabilize your implants.

If you have gum disease, your implant dentist in Katy needs to treat it first. Healthy gums are important, as this means they can heal properly once you get your new tooth roots.

But what about those who have lost some bone in their jaw? Can they still get implants?

Yes! In fact, it may help them keep what’s left of their bone. A study found that implants stimulated the growth of new bone.

Even people with osteoporosis can get implants! Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens and reduces bone density and quality. People who have this are fragile, as they have higher risks of fractures.

The good news is, studies have found that implants are successful in these people too. So long as they still have some jawbone that can hold the titanium roots, they are good candidates.

So, yes, people who have had some bone loss can still get tooth implants. Of course, it’s best to get the procedure before you lose part of your jawbone. This can happen if you don’t replace your lost tooth right away.

Enjoy the Benefits of Dental Implants Now

A dental implant may be your best and longest-lasting solution to a lost tooth. It is the most durable of all your options to replace a lost tooth. This is why the procedure takes longer than your other tooth replacement options.

But if you think of the many benefits of dental implants, you’ll see that it’s worth the wait. Also, they look more like permanent teeth. They function like natural teeth too, especially how they stimulate the jawbone.

Are you ready to fill those spaces left by your lost or missing teeth? If so, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! We’ll be happy to discuss all your potential teeth replacement options.