Cavities can be a serious oral health concern, and when you’re faced with the reality that you need to replace a tooth (or multiple teeth) entirely, it’s natural to worry about whether or not you will have to face tooth decay in the future. If you’ve ever wondered can dental implants get cavities, you’re not alone. Understanding what dental implants are and their relationship with oral health is crucial for making informed decisions. This comprehensive guide will explore this question. Hill Country Oral Surgery’s goal is to help you understand dental implants, their maintenance, and how they compare to natural teeth regarding oral health.

Although dental implants themselves can’t get cavities, bacteria may accumulate around them, leading to potential complications. Unlike natural teeth, which consist of enamel, dentin, and pulp, dental implants are made of biocompatible materials such as titanium. This means they are not susceptible to decay like natural teeth. However, it’s vital to note that while the implants cannot develop cavities, the surrounding gum and bone tissue is still vulnerable to periodontal disease if proper oral hygiene is not maintained.

What Are Dental Implants Made Of?

Dental implant posts are typically made of titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses well with the jawbone. This fusing process, known as osseointegration, provides stability and support for the prosthetic teeth that are attached to the implant post.

Can Dental Implants Suffer from Cavities Like Natural Teeth?

Unlike natural teeth, dental implants cannot develop cavities because they are not made of organic materials like enamel and dentin. However, if not properly cared for, the surrounding gum tissue is still prone to bacterial accumulation, leading to periodontal disease, which can damage the surrounding gum tissue and bone tissue that supports the implant.

How Do Dental Implants Differ from Natural Teeth in Terms of Oral Health?

Although dental implants are not natural teeth, caring for them as if they are is essential to their success. The benefits of dental implants are broad, and they are specifically, and custom, designed to look and function like natural teeth. The post and prosthetic crown are surrounded by natural tissues, and you must take care of the surrounding gum tissue to protect your gums and your jawbone itself.

What Common Issues Can Affect Dental Implants?

Despite their durability, dental implants can still be affected by specific issues, including peri-implantitis, a condition similar to gum disease that affects the tissues surrounding the implant. Other problems may include implant failure due to poor osseointegration or inadequate bone density.

How Can You Maintain Your Dental Implants to Prevent Oral Diseases?

It’s essential to practice good oral hygiene to maintain the longevity of your dental implants and prevent oral diseases. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, using antimicrobial mouthwash, and attending regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

What Are the Signs of Implant Failure, and How Can You Avoid It?

Signs of implant failure may include pain, swelling, mobility of the implant, or a change in the appearance of the gums surrounding the implant. To avoid implant failure, it’s crucial to follow your oral surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully, maintain good oral hygiene, and attend regular follow-up appointments.

Can Gum Disease Affect Dental Implants?

Yes, gum disease can affect dental implants if left untreated. Periodontal disease, if not properly managed, can lead to peri-implantitis, a condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding the implant. This can ultimately result in implant failure if not addressed promptly.

How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist for Dental Implant Maintenance?

You should visit your dentist every six months for routine dental check-ups and cleanings. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits based on your oral health needs and the condition of your dental implants.

What Cleaning Techniques Are Recommended for Dental Implants?

To clean dental implants effectively, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste is essential to avoid scratching the implant surface. Additionally, flossing with implant-specific floss or interdental brushes can help remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas around the implant.

Why Is It Important to Treat Dental Implants Like Natural Teeth?

Treating dental implants like natural teeth is essential for maintaining oral health and preventing complications such as peri-implantitis or implant failure. By practicing good oral hygiene and attending regular dental check-ups, you can ensure the longevity and success of your dental implants.

Dental Implants in Austin, TX

While dental implants cannot develop cavities, proper maintenance and care are crucial for preventing complications such as peri-implantitis and implant failure. By understanding the differences between dental implants and natural teeth and following recommended oral hygiene practices, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy and functional smile for years to come. If you’re considering dental implants or have existing implants, schedule a consultation with Hill Country Oral Surgeons to discuss your options and ensure optimal oral health.

Schedule your consultation with Hill Country Oral Surgeons and take the first step towards a healthy, beautiful smile!

Evolutions in dentistry have given us more solutions than ever for replacing lost or damaged teeth. Dentures and bridges are well-known options that have been around for several decades, and dental implants are a welcome option for people who only need to replace a single tooth. But today, more people requiring tooth replacement are opting for all-on-4 dental implants. Here, we’ll look at why.

What Is All-on-4 Dental Rehabilitation?

All-on-4 is a tooth replacement procedure that involves placing four dental implants in your lower or upper jaw arch, attached to a dental prosthetic screwed into place. In the past, your oral surgeon would employ many more implants to permanently reconstruct an entire dental arch. This process was costly and required extensive dental work. However, with advances in implant technology and material, Hill Country Oral Surgery can restore an entire arch of teeth with fewer implants – often preventing the need for pretreatment like bone grafts.

For patients who need to replace multiple missing teeth, full-arch dental rehabilitation is an excellent upgrade from traditional dentures. Here are five benefits they offer.

1. Quick and Convenient Procedure

All-on-4 implants limit the number of visits to your oral surgeon. Since the entire implant structure connects to a single framework, you won’t need to keep returning for individual appointments to fit individual implants. Your oral surgeon can complete the entire process within a few hours, since they have an overview of positioning the implants to support an entire arch of teeth.

2. Preserve the Jawbone

The underlying bone structure deteriorates when teeth roots are absent. Implant posts that act as teeth roots support full-arch dental rehabilitation, producing the necessary stimulus to help preserve your jawbone.

3. Enjoy Immediate Results

As we noted earlier, it’s possible to complete an all-on-4 dental implant installation in only one visit. In addition, same-day treatment offers immediate dental improvement, appearance, and patient satisfaction.

Full-arch dental rehabilitation has a proven track record of highly successful outcomes that offer a significantly reduced recovery. However, remember that it will take some time for your mouth to fully heal. We suggest taking between three and five days off work for recovery. You may also have to temporarily modify your diet until you get comfortable with your post-surgical results. We’ll give you directions on how to care for yourself while you heal and recommendations for specific foods to eat and avoid.

4. Easy Maintenance

Unlike traditional dentures, these implant-supported teeth replacements do not require removal for cleaning. It is noticeably easier to maintain the all-on-4 system. The implants are stable to preserve the jaw and encourage oral hygiene. You can brush and floss them like natural teeth. Regular checkups and cleanings are still necessary.

5. Improved Oral Functionality

Full-arch dental rehabilitation provides an excellent replacement for dentures. This dental prosthesis delivers better chewing functionality with better ability to speak and eat.

Dentures are removable and can loosen over time. In contrast, your oral surgeon will fasten all-on-4 implants onto four posts that lock easily in place, allowing your dental prosthetics to function as natural teeth.

Learn More About All-on-4 Tooth Restoration at Hill Country Oral Surgery

If you have suffered significant tooth loss and are considering tooth replacement, talk to your dentist about getting all-on-4 implants. They will guide you through the process and help you make the right decision.

Request an appointment online or call our Austin office at (512) 327-7233 or in Buda at (512) 643-6066.

Sixty years ago, innovations in dental health available today would have been unimaginable. For example, teeth that look and feel natural after permanent tooth loss would not have been possible. But today, we can access innovative procedures like All-On-4 dental replacement.

All-on-4 dental implants are cost-effective for missing teeth, advanced gum disease, or severe dental infections. Another primary reason to get All-On-4 implants is they prevent bone deterioration.

But what happens once you get your All-On-4 dental implant in Austin? How soon will your new teeth start to feel natural?

What to Expect After All-On-4 Surgery

The latest advancements in dental implant technology have enabled individuals to regain their natural functionality and appearance. Leading oral specialists put considerable effort into minimizing discomfort experienced by patients during and after this oral surgery.

They employ:

• Multiple anesthesia choices to reduce or eliminate patient discomfort
• Measures to mitigate post-procedure bleeding, irritation, infection, and discomfort
• Follow-up appointments to measure healing and recovery

How Long Will My Gums Take to Heal After Surgery?

Unlike traditional dentures, which can take eight months to a year of adjustment time, All-On-4 implants provide instant stability. As a result, most patients return to their daily routine within a few days after implant surgery.

However, you must take certain precautions after the procedure to avoid inflaming the healing site, like:

• Avoid rinsing with water on the first day. Use the medicated rinse we recommend to flush the tender areas. For bleeding the following day, rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution up to three times a daily
• Do not touch delicate areas to prevent irritation
• We recommend brushing, as long as it’s gentle with a soft toothbrush
• Restrain from smoking. It will only prolong recovery

What Can I Eat After All-On-4?

We will instruct you to follow a soft food and liquid diet several weeks after the procedure.

Some recommended post-procedure foods in the first few days include:

• Applesauce
• Mashed potatoes
• Frozen yogurt

After the first week or two, you may begin to eat soft foods as your mouth begins to heal. You must avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods.

Some food recommendations at this point include:

• Oatmeal
• Pasta
• Soft breads
• Soft fruits and vegetables
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Hummus

In addition, we will attach your temporary dental bridge to the implants prior to your permanent dental bridge. This bridge is not designed for chewing hard foods.

Are All-on-4 Dentures Comfortable?

You will soon discover that All-On-4 implants considerably improve tooth replacement. For example, they are stable and secure. They can go back to functionality soon after the procedure is performed. You can typically work with a few changes to your routine, even during the initial stage of recovery. All-On-4 implants require only regular dental hygiene.

All-on-4 dental implants are designed for comfort because they don’t pressure your gums like traditional dentures. As a result, you can bite with increased force and enjoy the normal sensation and flavors of hot or cold foods.

All-On-4 Dental Replacement in Austin, TX

If you want to join our long list of satisfied patients with All-On-4 implants whose quality of life has been restored, you can schedule a consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery to restore jaw and tooth functionality and structural support for facial aesthetics.

Contact us today.

It is a fact that dental implants can last a lifetime. However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot fail. Although most patients enjoy their implants for years and years without inconveniences, we want you to be ready if you encounter this unexpected problem.

Which Part of the Implant Fell Out?

The first step is to get a clear idea of your dental problem. Dental implants have different parts, and identifying which one fell out is essential to understand why this happened and which steps need to be followed to fix the problem:

• The crown. The crown is the visible part of the dental implant, which looks like the crown of your natural teeth. If the crown is not extensively damaged, this issue can be fixed in a few minutes. However, if the restoration is damaged beyond repair, you might need a replacement.
• The abutment. The abutment is the little screw that connects the crown to the dental implants. These screws can get loose over time, so as long as everything else is ok, our dentist can replace the abutment in a short visit to our office.
• The implant. The implants are the titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone, replacing the root of the missing tooth. This complication is the worst-case scenario, as replacing an implant is not as easy as replacing a crown or an abutment. Our surgeon needs to identify why the implant failed in the first place and then evaluate if it is possible to place a new one in the near future.

Although identifying the different parts of the dental implant can be confusing, it is necessary to ensure you make the right appointment to get it fixed. One good way to help our front office team to identify the problem is to take a picture of the part that fell out of your mouth and send it via text message or email.

Reasons Why Dental Implants Might Fail

Some of the most common reasons why implants fall out are:

• Bacterial infection: implants are as susceptible to bacterial infection as other natural teeth. When bacteria colonize the surface of the implant, they cause an infection known as “peri-implantitis,” which can cause multiple inconveniences in the long run.
• Trauma: although dental implants are fused into the jawbone, severe trauma can induce a fracture in this fusion and the consequent implant loss.
• Dental implant fracture: this is a rare mechanical problem caused by the metal’s fatigue.
• Unbalanced bite: an unbalanced bite force that puts too much stress on the dental implant can lead to the fracture or loss of the implant.
• Loss of bone and/or gum tissue: just like natural teeth, if the tissues that anchor the implant disappear for some reason (usually an infection), the implant gets loose or directly falls out.
• Problems in the osseointegration: sometimes, the implants fall out from the very beginning because this physiological process fails at some point, and the implant isn’t fully integrated into the bone tissue.

How to Take Good Care of Dental Implants

To prevent these inconveniences, we advise our patients to maintain excellent oral hygiene and visit the office regularly for dental check-ups and professional cleanings. When it comes to dental implants, prevention is better than cure!

Did Your Implant Fall Out? We’re Here to Help.

If you are having this or any other inconvenience with your dental implants, please get in contact with our office in Austin, TX. At Hill Country Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons will find out why the implant is failing and propose a treatment plan to recover your smile as soon as possible!

Dental implants are the gold standard in teeth replacement options. These small titanium posts were first used in the 1960s, and ever since, they have been the ultimate solution for most dental problems. However, some patients aren’t suitable candidates for conventional titanium implants, mainly due to allergies or periodontal conditions. But this doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. At Hill Country Oral Surgery, we are thrilled to offer these patients an equally effective alternative: metal-free dental implants.

What are Metal-Free Dental Implants?

Metal-free dental implants are made of zirconia, a strong and durable tooth-colored ceramic that is also used for dental crowns and bridges. This material is highly biocompatible, and when it’s correctly treated, it triggers a biological integration into the jawbone similar to the one achieved by titanium implants.

Zirconia implants were introduced in 2005 as a revolutionary alternative to conventional implants. Titanium is still considered the most convenient material in oral implantology, but the search for other options has become more and more popular these past decades, mainly due to the high esthetic standards and increasing incidence of titanium allergies. So far, zirconia has proven to be the best alternative.

Which Patients Can Benefit from this Alternative?

Although zirconia implants haven’t been around as long as titanium implants, they have shown excellent results. These metal-free posts represent a perfect choice for patients with any of the following conditions:

Allergy to metals: titanium is one of the noblest and most bio-compatible materials used in the medical field, and most patients do not react to it. However, some patients have titanium allergies, so this treatment is contraindicated on these rare occasions. Those allergic to titanium can opt for other conventional treatments like full or partial dentures or fixed bridges. Still, none of them offers the same advantages as dental implants, so Zirconia implants are a great alternative to recovering oral health.

Thinning gum tissue: while titanium implants are silver in color, zirconia ones have a similar shade to natural enamel. This is a major advantage for patients with thin gum tissue, as the dark color of conventional implants can sometimes show through. Patients who still prefer titanium implants can opt to undergo a gum grafting that thickens the gum tissue, but they need to consider that this alternative involves an additional surgical procure that can make the treatment a bit longer.

Are Metal-Free Implants the Right Alternative for You?

If you are thinking about getting dental implants and still have some doubts, get in contact with our office and schedule a consult with one of our dentists. They will explain the different alternatives, and together you will choose the one that meets your unique needs.

Are dental implants the best choice to replace missing teeth? Many patients doubt implants’ efficiency and convenience, but in most cases, it is mainly due to misleading or false information. Read on how we debunk these myths about implants, and don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a long-lasting smile!

1- Implant Surgery is Painful.

This is by far one of the most common myths about implants. Although the placement of implants indeed requires minor oral surgery, this doesn’t mean that you will suffer throughout the procedure. Implant surgery is less invasive than it used to be, and our dentist makes sure that the area is completely numbed before starting the treatment. You won’t even notice you have undergone the procedure after a few days.

2- Implants Tend to Fail in the Long Run.

If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. Implants usually fail due to an infection caused by the same bacteria that trigger periodontal disease. This infection, known as “periimplantitis”, can be avoided if the patient has good oral hygiene and visits the office regularly for check-ups. Your cooperation is crucial to getting long-lasting results.

3- Implants Don’t Look Natural.

When restored with porcelain crowns or bridges, dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. Nobody will notice that your pearly whites aren’t real, and you will be able to enjoy your favorite meals and attend important meetings and social events without worrying about your smile.

4- Implants Require Special Care.

As mentioned before, you won’t need to worry that much about your dental implants. As long as you are committed to oral hygiene and don’t skip check-up visits, you will enjoy your implants the rest of your life. Our dentists will teach you how to brush and floss to keep your restorations perfectly clean!

5- Implants Aren’t Worthy.

Many people complain about the price of dental implants. Although implants are more expensive than other tooth replacement options, they represent a wise long-term investment. Conventional bridges fail more often, and dentures need to be replaced from time to time, so if you add up all the expenses of other treatments, you will realize that implants aren’t that expensive at all.

6- Implants Aren’t Suitable for Older People.

Age isn’t a decisive factor for the success of the treatment. While older people might have lost more bone tissue necessary for implant placement, the healing process is just the same. So, if you have enough bone tissue (or undergo a bone graft procedure), you will be a suitable candidate for dental implants, no matter how old you are.

Smile with Confidence with Dental Implants

Implants are the gold standard in teeth replacement options. Schedule a consultation with our dentists and see how implants can transform your smile. Don’t let unfounded assumptions prevent you from getting the smile you deserve!

When it comes to replacing a lost tooth or teeth, implants are an excellent option for many folks. But not just any type of implant will do.

The oral surgeons at Hill Country Oral Surgery favor ceramic over traditional titanium implants. Our advanced zirconia ceramic implants are metal-free and biocompatible. Research suggests that ceramic implants allow for better blood circulation and bone retention than their metal counterparts.

Reduced Galvanic Currents

Ceramic-based, metal-free implants offer no risk of galvanic currents generated from the implants. These electrical charges happen when saliva meets metal ions. The currents accelerate corrosion with the metal, leading to increased ion release, elevating the risk of developing toxic metal reactions.

Reduced Health Risks

A study by implant expert Dr. Sammy Noumbissi followed fifty-six patients who developed severe health problems after receiving titanium-based dental implants. These medical issues included chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, muscle, joint, and nerve discomfort, neurological issues, skin rash, and inflammation.

Avoids Harmful Bacteria

Another issue is corrosion released by the metal-based implants could cause bacteria around the implant with exposure to hydrogen peroxide and fluoride.

The fact there may be harmful bacteria around an implant is not surprising. Most extractions happen because of infection and gum disease.

Corrosion of the titanium aggravates inflammation around the implant. This could result in a condition known as peri-implantitis. Only now is the dental field beginning to understand how big of a concern this presents.

Improved Appearance

In addition to being the healthier choice, ceramic dental implants look better, too. If the patient has receding or thin gums, in time, the dull grey of the titanium will show through, creating a dark shadow. The ceramic option looks closer to the natural tooth color. Beautiful, biocompatible, and durable ceramic dental implants make for healthy, happier patients.

Dental Implant Surgery in Austin, TX

Dental implant surgery can be performed in one day or split into multiple sessions. We’ll help you determine the option most appropriate for your condition.

Your surgeon will carefully place the implants into the jawbone, using specially designed guides to indicate ideal placement and depths. Or he may opt to use a freehand technique that relies on the surgeon’s experience and skill. The difference between the two techniques can be found here.

Contact Hill Country Oral Surgery

Learn more about the different types of dental implants and how our new metal-free option could deliver safer, more beautiful results. We use the NobelPearl implants, one of the most effective ceramic dental implants available.

Our professional staff and dedicated oral surgeons will help you throughout the process. From tooth extraction to restoration, we’ll be available to answer any questions you may have.

Learn more about metal-free dental implants in Austin, TX by calling Hill Country Oral Surgery at 512-327-7233 or scheduling a consultation.