Frequently Asked Questions

Dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth without adversely affecting any of the neighboring teeth. All-on-4 dental implants may also provide support for permanent new teeth, eliminating the need for partial or removable dentures. Finally, implants can provide support for dentures, allowing them to fit more comfortably and securely.

For most patients, implants are the most advantageous option, providing many benefits over dentures and bridges. For example:

• Dental implants deliver the most natural-looking aesthetics, replicating the appearance and function of your natural teeth. With implants, no one will notice that you have had a tooth replaced.
• Unlike dentures and bridges, implants do not require any healthy teeth to be altered or damaged in any way, preserving their health and reducing the likelihood of future tooth replacement. Therefore, implants are considered the best option for preserving long-term oral health.
• Dental implants allow you to go about your life confidently, without any difficulty chewing or biting, and without any fear of the clicking, popping, or wobbling of dentures.
• Implants are extremely reliable, offering a high rate of success. Oral surgeons widely consider them the best option to replace missing teeth.

The vast majority of patients who are missing one or more teeth or anticipate needing teeth extracted qualify for implants. However, there are exceptions. If you have untreated periodontal disease, you will need to get treatment before new implants can be placed. And, if you lack sufficient jawbone, you may require a procedure known as bone grafting before implants can be secured. With any specific questions about implant eligibility, we invite you to contact our office to set up a consultation.

Your comfort and safety are our top priorities. Your treatment will begin with the careful administration of anesthesia and/or sedation, ensuring you do not feel any physical discomfort during implant placement. The procedure itself will be tailored to meet your needs and may involve tooth extractions, single implant placements, or multiple implant placements. The implants will be secured into small holes in your jawbone, then left to heal for several months before final prostheses can be placed. In the interim, we can provide temporary replacement teeth.

Patients undergoing full mouth restoration through the All-on-4® treatment concept are given a temporary prosthesis on the same day or the day after they receive their dental implants. While the procedure is sometimes called “teeth in a day,” your final implant-supported dentures will not be ready until you have fully recovered from implant placement surgery.

We prioritize your comfort and safety and offer a range of sedation and anesthesia options to minimize physical discomfort and help you manage your anxiety.

The recovery process varies by patient, and it is always important to talk with your doctor about specific guidelines or restrictions. Most patients are able to resume their normal daily routines within 24 hours or so.

Many insurance plans will cover at least part of your periodontal treatment. Getting the right care is important, and we do not ever want anyone to forgo care simply because they do not think they can afford it. Contact our office with specific questions about insurance, as well as any questions you may have about flexible financing options.

We ask that you complete the patient forms available here on our website. If you are unable to complete them in advance, simply arrive 15 minutes early, allowing plenty of time for you to fill out the necessary paperwork.

Recovery times vary from patient to patient and procedure to procedure. Your doctor at Periodontal and Implant Surgeons of Houston will discuss the possible recovery timeline based on your procedure and ways to help the recovery process go by quickly.

Most patients are instructed to limit their diet for five to seven days, at which point it is okay to eat as normal. Your doctor will provide you with a more specific set of instructions.

Your treatment may involve sutures, most of which will dissolve on their own. In some cases, you may be asked to return to our office to have the remaining sutures removed by a doctor.

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for you to take before or after the procedure to minimize your risk of surgical infection.

Most of our patients do just fine with Tylenol or Ibuprofen, but prescription painkillers are available as needed.

We advise you to brush and floss as normal, simply avoiding the surgical site or any area where there is pink packing material.

Following surgery, we recommend applying ice 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first day. This is the single best thing you can do to keep swelling at bay.

No. Smoking significantly impedes your body’s ability to heal and may compromise your entire recovery process.

Bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours or so. If you experience bleeding past the first day or so, contact your doctor.

Fill out your patient forms online before your appointment, or arrive 15 minutes early to complete them here. Also, be sure you bring your insurance card and ID with you.

We ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice for consultations or non-surgical treatments. To cancel or reschedule a surgical appointment, we ask that you provide us with at least 72 hours’ notice.

Yes. The consultation is an important step in your treatment journey, as it provides your doctor with an opportunity to determine a clinical treatment plan that is right for you. The consultation is rarely conducted on the same day as a surgical procedure, which we bill for separately.

We are happy to bill your insurance company on your behalf, but we ask that you pay your estimated co-pay on the day of your appointment. For pre-authorized treatments, we ask that you pay the patient portion at the time of your appointment.

We are always happy to provide affordable monthly payment plans, including CareCredit payment options. Contact our office to learn more about these options.