Steele Dental Blog

Dental implants provide additional stability, as they replace the tooth root. A form of gum disease known as peri-implantitis can cause dental implant failure; bacteria can destroy gum tissue and cause the implant to loosen. Steele Oral Surgery offers dental implants and offers post-operation instructions to help prevent implant failure. Here is more information on how to prevent peri-implantitis at home:

Know the Symptoms of Peri-implantitis

Being familiar with the symptoms of peri-implantitis and potential dental implant failure allows for earlier intervention. Implant failure symptoms include swelling or bleeding near the implant, pus forming on the gums, a loose implant, or discomfort when eating or biting down. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact an oral surgeon for implant salvage procedures. We utilize periodontal therapy to reduce oral bacteria; this promotes healthier gum tissue.

Practice Healthy Oral Hygiene

You can brush dental implants with the same methods as natural teeth. Engaging in healthy oral hygiene habits helps prevent gum disease; peri-implantitis can develop as a result of poor oral hygiene. Preventing infections around the metal posts stops bacteria from damaging the tissues. During the recovery process, make sure to brush gently, including around the post, and avoid spitting.

The recommended routine is brushing your teeth twice a day to remove plaque, and you should floss at least once a day or after meals to help clean along the gumline. Flossing options include floss picks and interdental brushes. Use water or mouthwash to rinse.

Follow the Recommended Diet

After dental implant surgery, follow any post-care instructions about what foods to avoid; this includes alcoholic or sugary beverages. During the healing process, you will need to eat soft foods. Our post-surgical list includes pudding, baked vegetables, lukewarm soup, pasta, and smoothies. You can reintroduce your favorite foods to your diet after the implant has healed.

Continue to exercise caution around crunchy foods, and avoid taffy and sticky candy. This helps reduce the risk of the restoration being tugged out. Reducing sugary foods that promote acid-producing bacteria helps protect the enamel and prevent tooth decay.

Make healthy substitutions in your day-to-day diet; this can support good oral health. Drinking water helps rinse away bacteria in your mouth. Eating calcium-rich foods and dairy products promotes healthier teeth.

Avoid Tobacco Use

Smoking and tobacco products are able to cause issues with oral health. This includes an increased risk of oral cancer and gum disease, and it can also discolor the teeth. During the dental implant consultation with our oral surgeon, discuss any use of tobacco products. You will need to avoid tobacco products up to two weeks before the procedure and for at least two months afterward to reduce the risk of implant failure.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Practicing good oral hygiene and care to prevent peri-implantitis helps keep your implants in place. We offer consultations for implants, and we can perform bone grafting procedures as needed to promote success. New patient forms are available on the website. To learn more about dental implants, contact Steele Oral Surgery today.

Dental implants are surgically placed artificial tooth roots that are inserted into the jawbone. They can support crowns, bridges, or dentures, making them an effective solution for replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire dental arch. At Steel Oral Surgery, our team provides comprehensive dental implant treatment designed to deliver long-term benefits. Here’s more information on the insurance and financing options for dental implants:

Dental Financing Factors

Financing options for dental implants vary due to a patient’s treatment plan. The total cost depends on factors such as the number of teeth being replaced and the type of restoration needed; a single dental implant with a crown typically involves a different investment than a full-arch restoration supported by multiple implants, such as the All-on-4 procedure. The type of restoration required, like a crown, bridge, or implant denture, also affects the outcome. The material used to manufacture the implant itself, which involves titanium or zirconia, also plays a role in overall cost.

Preliminary procedures add to the total if your jawbone or gum tissue needs preparation. Bone grafting, sinus lifts, and ridge expansion are each separate procedures that affect financing. At some dental clinics, the initial implant consultation includes a review of treatment options and diagnostic imaging, such as panoramic X-rays, which helps patients understand their needs and receive a cost estimate before making a decision about care. Because dental implants are designed to provide a long-term tooth replacement solution when properly maintained, they help reduce the need for certain future expenses associated with removable prosthetics, adhesives, and dental treatments related to missing teeth.

Dental Insurance Coverage

Dental insurance plans vary widely, but many still classify implants as elective. Because of this classification, the implant post itself is often excluded from coverage. Most plans that exclude the implant surgery will still cover components of care; this includes the crown or other restoration placed on top of the implant. Preliminary procedures, such as bone grafting to build up sufficient jawbone density, may also be eligible for partial coverage. When you review your plan or speak with your insurance company, ask specifically about coverage for the restoration, bone grafting, extractions, and any diagnostic imaging rather than asking only about the implant itself.

Medical plans can cover the implant placement when tooth loss is connected to an accident, injury, or a documented medical condition. If your dental plan excludes implant surgery but you carry medical insurance, then it’s worth submitting a claim or requesting a pre-authorization review. Choosing an in-network practice with major medical insurers helps streamline the administrative process involved with insurance claims.

Patients enrolled in BlueCross BlueShield have benefits that include coverage for preventive services like cleanings and check-ups. It also includes minor restorative treatments and 50% coverage for major restorative services, including root canals. At Steele Oral Surgery, our team works with several insurance companies, including United Healthcare, Aetna, and more.

Learn More About Dental Implants 

To understand your coverage, it’s key to review your treatment plan and contact your insurer. Some plans provide specific procedure codes; compare that information against a detailed treatment estimate from your dental provider. At Steele Dental Surgery, our team helps patients navigate insurance plans to identify which components of implant treatment are covered. Call our team today or request a consultation online to get started.

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone and integrated with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants replace both the root and the visible crown of a missing tooth. This structural difference gives implants their durability; it’s also why proper long-term care matters for their maintenance and health. At Steele Oral Surgery, our team helps patients understand dental implants and how they can last several decades or even a lifetime. Here’s information about long-term care for dental implants:

Daily Oral Hygiene 

Dental implants cannot develop cavities, but the surrounding gum tissue and bone are still vulnerable to bacterial infection. Peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that affects the tissue around an implant, sometimes leads to implant failure. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth and around the implant daily are key to maintaining implant health. An electric toothbrush can make it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as for patients with multiple implants or implant-supported bridges. Adding an approved mouth rinse to the routine helps remove bacteria from areas that brushing and flossing are unable to fully reach. When flossing, clean along the gumline where the implant meets the soft tissue; bacteria tends to accumulate there. Consistent daily hygiene is one of the most controllable factors in implant longevity.

Diet and Lifestyle Habits 

Dental implants restore the ability to chew a wide range of foods. This promotes a varied diet, but certain choices have the potential to damage both the implant restoration and the surrounding tissue. Extra-hard foods put excessive pressure on the implant crown. Individuals should also avoid using their teeth or implant restorations to bite or hold hard objects, open packages, or perform other tasks that place unnecessary stress on the restoration.

Sticky foods, such as taffy or caramel, may dislodge or damage the restoration. Sugary and acidic foods don’t decay the implant itself, but they contribute to cavities and tooth erosion in the remaining natural teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps control plaque and supports the health of natural teeth and the tissues surrounding dental implants.

Smoking can impair blood flow and healing in the tissues around an implant, potentially increasing the risk of complications and infection. Patients who smoke have a higher rate of implant failure compared to non-smokers. Quitting tobacco before and after implant placement helps improve long-term outcomes.

Physical Protection 

Sports-related trauma and direct blows to the face can fracture a restoration or damage the implant post itself. A custom-fitted mouthguard is a standard protective measure for patients who play contact sports or engage in other physical activity. Custom mouthguards fit more precisely than store-bought versions, so they may stay in place better during impact.

Bruxism involves repeated grinding pressure. This action may wear down restorations over time, and it has the potential to compromise the implant’s structural integrity. A custom nightguard distributes and absorbs that force. It helps protect the implant and the surrounding bone from the cumulative effects of grinding. Patients who suspect they grind their teeth should discuss it at their next appointment before the habit causes measurable damage.

Choose Dental Implants

Dental implants require long-term maintenance habits that patients practice after the procedure is complete. Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular professional appointments, help determine how long an implant lasts. To learn more about dental implant care or schedule a consultation, contact our team at Steele Oral Surgery.

When you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, your dentist may present different replacement options; this includes dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Each suits different clinical situations and comes with its own set of benefits. At Steele Oral Surgery, we offer various services, including wisdom teeth removal and implants. Here are some comparisons of implants vs. bridges vs. dentures:

Reviewing Tooth Replacement Options

Dentists recommend restoration options based on the number of damaged or missing teeth and the severity of the condition. A dental implant replaces both the root and the crown of a missing tooth. A professional places a titanium post into the jawbone, and once it heals, a custom restoration is attached on top. Because the implant is anchored into the bone itself, it functions like a natural tooth in terms of stability and bite strength.

A dental bridge fills a gap by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the space. The neighboring teeth must be filed down to serve as anchors; this results in a permanent alteration. Bridges sit above the gumline and do not interact with the jawbone.

Traditional dentures offer removable appliances that rest on the gums. They are held in place by natural suction, metal clasps, or adhesive. A full denture replaces an entire arch of teeth, and a partial denture fills in gaps among remaining natural teeth. At Steele Oral Surgery, our team completes all restoration preparation, including wisdom teeth removal if necessary.

Understanding the Jawbone’s Role

When a tooth root is no longer present, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate and be absorbed into the body. Implants are the only replacement option that addresses this directly. The titanium post stimulates the jawbone the same way a natural root does, and this helps prevent further bone loss and maintain the face’s shape over time.

A bridge spans the gap but leaves the bone beneath the artificial tooth without any functional load. Traditional dentures rest on the gumline, and as the bone beneath continues to resorb, the fit of the denture will change over time. These options may require periodic adjustments or new appliances.

Choosing Implant Dentures

Implant dentures work by anchoring a full denture to three to six implant posts rather than relying on suction or adhesive; they can be designed as either fixed or removable. Fixed implant dentures stay in the mouth at all times and require more jawbone density to support the greater number of implants. Removable implant dentures use clips or ball sockets that allow the patient to take them out for cleaning. They typically require fewer implants, making them accessible to patients with some degree of bone loss.

Use Services Like Wisdom Teeth Removal

The right oral restoration choice depends on your current oral health and long-term goals for function. Implants provide a structure similar to natural teeth, but they require surgery and adequate healing time. Bridges offer a solution for single-tooth gaps but could alter healthy adjacent teeth. Though traditional dentures are an accessible option, they often require ongoing management. At Steele Oral Surgery, we offer complimentary consultations that assess bone density, gum health, and overall oral condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Dental implants provide a permanent replacement for tooth loss by utilizing a titanium post and crown. Our oral surgeon at Steele Oral Surgery performs dental implant procedures and offers sedation dentistry. Here is more information on dental implants and how they are affected by chronic conditions:

Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions that can impact dental health include diabetes and osteoporosis. Type I and Type II diabetes both impact insulin production. With Type I, the pancreas creates little insulin, and with Type II, insulin production is dysregulated, or there is a decreased tissue response to insulin levels. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes may experience issues like gingivitis or periodontitis.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that appears as low bone mass and comes with the larger risk of fractures. A dental specialist is able to go over your medical history with you. We provide an initial consultation with our oral surgeon to review dental history and goals, along with how your overall health history affects your ability to get implants.

Dental Implant Candidacy

The type of conditions that you may be experiencing affects your candidacy for dental implant procedures. Oral surgical procedures, including dental implant placement, take several days of recovery. Conditions like diabetes can impact wound healing, making it harder for patients to recover from surgery. Poorly controlled diabetes has the risk of delayed osseointegration; this is the process of the implant fusing with the bone.

In cases where diabetes has been controlled, patients are able to receive dental implants. The process requires multiple interviews, allowing patients to discuss diabetes requirements with the doctor and plan with their physician. Prior to surgery, discuss what medications you are taking with your oral surgeon. Your physician can adjust diabetes medications to maintain metabolic control before and after surgery.

Depending on the case, patients experiencing antiresorption treatment due to osteoporosis are able to receive dental implants. Bone grafting may be beneficial for osteoporosis patients; this technique utilizes bone material taken from the patient’s body and adds it to the jawbone. Other material options include donor and artificial bone. The new material bonds with the jaw to make it stronger and able to support dental implants. Our oral surgeon reviews your candidacy and goes over the surgical process with you beforehand.

Dental Sedation Candidacy

The dental implant process often involves sedation dentistry. Types of dental sedatio include oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, patients remain in a sleep-like condition during the surgery; this is used for more involved procedures. Those with significant health conditions may be able to safely receive general anesthesia for surgeries. Pre- and post-operative instructions to aid patients with preparation and recovery, helping to provide a safe and comfortable procedure.

Implant Salvage

People experiencing autoimmune conditions may be at risk for dental implant failure. Symptoms include implants feeling loose, swelling or bleeding near the implant, and difficulty eating. An oral surgeon is able to remove the implant post and provide time for the bones and muscles to heal.

As part of the implant salvage options, they are then able to discuss replacement options with you. You can also meet with your physician to discuss additional options. Our team at Steele Oral Surgery utilizes advanced tools, such as robotic assistance and cone beam imaging, to improve surgical accuracy and help prevent complications.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry

Depending on the level of treatment they have experienced, diabetes and osteoporosis patients may be candidates for dental implants. We offer All-on-4 implants and implant dentures to offer additional stability. Steele Oral Surgery provides personalized treatment plans for our patients, an in-house dental lab, and same-day treatment options. To see if you are a candidate for dental implants and sedation dentistry, we invite you to request a consultation today.

Sedation is available to help patients relax during dental procedures. There are various types of sedation dentistry, and a dentist helps you determine which one is suitable for you. Steele Oral Surgery makes sure patients are properly prepared for a procedure by discussing the process. Here is more information on how to discuss sedation options with your dentist:

Ask About Sedation Types

If you are preparing to undergo a dental procedure, you can ask the dentist to review the different types of sedation dentistry and how they work. These range from mild to deep forms of sedation. Sedation types include:

• Nitrous oxide: This is a sedative that is administered through a nasal mask. It allows you to remain responsive during the procedure and produces a calm or euphoric effect.
• Oral conscious sedation: With oral conscious sedation, patients simply take a pill the day of the surgery. It offers moderate sedation while allowing you to follow instructions during treatment.
• IV sedation: IV sedation is beneficial for patients who have trouble sitting still during procedures, as it sends patients into a deeper state of relaxation. It is administered into the bloodstream intravenously.
• General anesthesia: Patients who receive general anesthesia are unconscious during the procedure, allowing them not to feel any of the sensations of treatment. This is either administered through a mask or an IV.

You and your oral surgeon can go over what type of sedation is appropriate for your level of procedure. Nitrous oxide is used for simpler procedures, and oral conscious sedation is helpful if you are receiving multiple treatments during your visit. IV and general sedation may be needed for longer or more complicated procedures. Our team makes sure you are safe during your treatment by adjusting the levels of nitrous oxide as needed and monitoring your vitals during IV sedation.

Review Preexisting Health Conditions

If you have any medical conditions that make receiving dental treatments harder, discuss them with your dentist. Sedation dentistry may be helpful for people who have stronger gag reflexes, experience difficulty becoming numb with local anesthesia, or have a disability that makes it hard to sit still for extended amounts of time. IV sedation is beneficial for patients who have TMJ disorder or other conditions that interfere with keeping the mouth open.

To make sure you are a candidate for a specific type of sedation, such as IV sedation, go over your health history with the dental team. Discuss what medications you are currently taking. Expectant mothers, patients with asthma, or people with allergies may need to find alternatives to utilizing nitrous oxide. General anesthesia is safe for most people; this includes those with more intense health conditions.

Discuss Preparation and Aftereffects

Ask the dentist or oral surgeon about how to prepare for sedation. Having more information about the effects allows you to make the appropriate arrangements ahead of time. Oral conscious sedation requires you to take the pill before your visit. Nitrous oxide, IV sedation, and general anesthesia are performed in the office. Some forms of sedation, such as IV and general anesthesia, may take longer to wear off. General anesthesia requires fasting after midnight the day of the surgery. We offer a form with instructions for how to prepare for general anesthesia. Have someone give you a ride to or from your appointment as needed, and take the rest of the day to recover from moderate or deeper forms of sedation.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry

Sedation can make it easier for you, your child, or another family member to undergo emergency or restorative dental care. Our oral surgeon and team at Steele Oral Surgery perform dental implant treatments, including implant dentures, and oral surgeries, such as wisdom teeth extractions. New patient paperwork is available on our website; to receive a consultation and learn more about sedation dentistry, complete our online form today.