What Dentists Never Told You About Cheap Dental Implants

Looking for cheap dental implants? Perhaps, your dentists never told you about the dental implant’s health risks. In fact, most dental professionals keep under wraps the things that might turn off their patients. Like any profession and job, dentists have their secrets too.

So, here’s to enumerate things that your dentists never told their patients or at least not that much. Here are five:

1. Dental implant surgery has health risks and complications

Some dentists do educate the patients about the risks, while others are not that much. Who would want to scare away the potential customers? But if your dentist is one of those who don’t talk much about the possible complications, take note of this: Dental implants can have an infection, a failure or can cause a nerve damage and a sinus injury. However, these risks are very minimal and almost rare. So don’t worry that much.

2. Most dental insurance policies do not cover dental implants

Dental implants are often considered a fancy thing or part of cosmetic dentistry. So this is not usually included in the dental insurance policies. But other dental insurance companies cover some of the cost of this surgery. A few covers all the dental implant procedure, but it depends on a patient’s case. If the doctor finds no other way to solve the dental problem of the patient than an implant, then it could be included in the dental insurance. Aside from this, others have their own policies regarding the fees.

3. You can have a cheap dental implant

Yes. It’s possible to have a low cost dental implant surgery. How? Aside from the marketing strategy that most dentists do, you can take advantage of dental plans. Some dental plans allow you to save big bucks. If you can’t pay the total amount in one meeting, this method might work best for you. Also, you can still trust the dental insurance, as it can cover at least a fraction of the total cost.

TIP: When looking for cheap dental implant, try to search online: “La Crescenta dental implants” so that the results will be localized.

4. Any dentist can perform a dental implant surgery

Shock? Any dental professional (as long as one has a valid license) can perform a dental implant procedure. However, some dentists continue to gain more skills in dental implants. And having a dentist with years of experience in this operation is vital. You don’t want to trust you’re your teeth to a dentist who never had an experience with this kind of surgery, do you?

5. A dental implant is a darn long process

A usual dental implant could take 6 months to 1 year or more. Why? It’s a staged surgery, which means that it follows step by step procedure. And one stage has a gap of weeks or months before proceeding to the next one.

First time to know this? Make sure to share the news to your friends who will have a dental implant, especially if he or she is looking for cheap dental implants.

USC Dentist Caring Tips: How To Avoid Dental Implant Cracks and Defects

Although they can last a lifetime, dental implants are still subjected to cracks and defects. That is why, any dentist, especially USC dentist, advises patient to take good care of the implants (as well as the natural teeth), even though they are permanent. In fact, visiting a dentist every now and then is still important after the surgery to check your implant’s condition and to secure its longevity.

Recent studies found that crack may still happen to dental implants. In a survey, they found out that some microscopic cracks were seen. This case, however, is rare to happen.

Dental Implants are subjected to cracks and defects

Many dentists argue the potential of dental implants to last a lifetime. While others say that it could be permanent, many dentists divulged that dental implants could have defects, which could be the reason that they may be pulled out from the teeth.

And just recently, a research from Haifa’s Technion- Israel Institute of Technology and Rambam Medical Center revealed that dental implants are subjected to cracks. They found out that 60% of the hundred patients they have surveyed have microscopic cracks in their implants.

But, the research revealed that this case is rare to happen. And each case is different than the other.

Avoid eating hard food to prevent dental implant cracks

Like natural teeth, dental implants can be cracked due to eating of hard and solid foods. In fact, the research suggests that patients with dental implants should always look at what they are eating. If possible, limit eating hard food because the force of biting, chewing it can possibly crack the materials of your implant.

Visit your dentist regularly

This is one good way to know the condition of your implant. Patients who had dental implant surgery before knew how important to attend to dental check-up regularly. This way, you can make sure that your dental implant, the bone and the whole mouth are in good condition. If dentists could find out cracks, they can easily give medications or preventions.

Have a trusted dental professional

Although it was not included in the study, having a trusted and reliable dental professional can give safety and security for your dental implants. Cracks may also indicate that the materials used are weak, which could be the reason why it has cheap dental implants.

When looking for dental implants in Los Angeles, check out dental professionals from the University of Southern California. A USC dentist is a trusted and reliable dental care provider.  You may also search online. In the search engine, key in, for instance, “La Crescenta dental implants.”

How To Avoid The Potential Risks of Cheap Dental Implants

Although it is considered expensive, it’s still possible to find cheap dental implants. But whether you have expensive or affordable dental implant surgery, there some potential risks to it. But do note that only 2% of the hundred percent success rating is considered as complications and health risks entails in this procedure.

The potential health risks

In fact, the risks happen rarely. And they can be prevented. One of the potential risks is the rejection of bone to the implant. This case, however, can be prevented with bone grafting. Bone grafting is required when the patient’s jawbone did not qualify to the standard condition that implant requires.

Another risk is the nerve damage. This can happen when the implant has affected other nerves. But a certified dentist knows that CT scans and X rays are important to determine the location of the implant and to check if it will affect other nerves.

Meanwhile, implant site infection happens when the patient has failed to maintain his oral hygiene. It is also connected to the person’s current condition.

Ways to avoid the dental implant risks and complications

Thus, it is vital to be open to your dentist. Before the dental implant surgery, there are lots of steps taken by the patient. One of which is the question and answer portion between him and the doctor. This is to know that the patient is in good health to do the surgery.

Next is to follow the dentist’s instructions faithfully. If you are advised not to drink alcohol or eat solid food during the whole process, please do so. Neglecting the instructions could result the damage of the implant, which will result in severe complications. So as much as possible follow the instructions religiously.

Another, be mindful of your oral hygiene. Keeping your whole mouth clean and healthy is vital to lasting dental implant. In fact, dental implants can last a lifetime.

But, be sure to have a reliable dentist. It all boils down to the dentist who will take care of your dental needs. Although implantologist is not a specialization, it is still safe to have a dentist that has an expertise in doing a dental implant surgery.

TIP: When looking for dental implants in Los Angeles, check out a USC dentist. And if you’re looking for cheap dental implants, make sure that to find dental professionals from the University of Southern California, as they are considered to be trusted and reliable.

Preparing for Dental Implant Procedure (Things to expect before the surgery)

A dental implant procedure is a long process. So it is important to be prepared in all aspects, aside from the cost. Unlike any other dental surgery, this can take up several months until its complete.  

After you found the dental clinic and the dental professional, what comes after that?

Below are some things to consider.

Constant checkup and dental examination

Before the surgery, expect that there will be more than one dental examination. Dental examinations can include X rays, scans and other procedures to check your whole mouth as well as your bone’s condition.

Series of Question and Answer

Your dentist will ask you a series of questions. This includes your current health condition, as well as your medical history. If you have a heart disease or other condition, your dentist might tell you to take some medications.

The dentist will also ask you about the kind of anesthesia you want to have during the dental implant surgery. Be open to him or her. If you don’t want to stay awake during the procedure, tell that beforehand. That way, the dentist can give you sedation, which puts you to sleep. Otherwise, you can choose local or general anesthesia. This way also, your doctor can give you some instructions, including what to eat and what not.

Stages of Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implant surgery has three major stages. This may not be part of the planning phase, but it can give you an idea on what to expect. The 1st stage of the surgery is the dental implant placement, which is taken after you passed all the requirements needed. The recovery period after the implant placement usually takes 3 to 6 months.

The second stage is the abutment placement. Abutment serves as the connecting point between the implant and the crown. It usually takes 14 days to recover.

And the last stage is the crown placement. To complete the whole process, a crown is finally placed on the abutment. And smile with confidence when you have it.

Although the process is long, the pain, the time and the money are all worthy. So, make sure to have a reliable dental professional to do the dental implant procedure. TIP: If you are looking for dental implants in Los Angeles, find a USC dentist. 

USC Dentist Caring Tips: How to keep your teeth healthy during summer

What you eat and drink matters a lot for your teeth. During summer, there may be changes in our diet. The consumption of certain food and drinks go higher than the usual. While the sun is more lively, cold and sweet food and drinks are rampant. Contact sports are also popular. But here are some precautions from USC dentist you should take note.

Toothache and other dental problems are sometimes inevitable. But keeping your teeth healthy and in shape is crucial. It's also a factor to have a wonderful summertime, whether staying at home or going out of town.

Tips to keep your teeth healthy and in shape

 These tips came from the American Dental Association (ADA).

• Avoid chewing or eating ice. While ice and other cold food may be your best friend during hotter days, they can have a damaging effect on your teeth. You may think that ice is just a water.  But, it can damage the enamel of your teeth and will leave you toothache. So as much as possible, no chewing ice.

• Do away from energy or sports drinks. It’s okay to drink these energy- adding liquids. But make sure that they are low in sugar. It’s because most of sports and energy drinks have high sugar content. And you know how sugar can corrode your teeth. Just to be safe, stick to water.

• Stay away from lemonade. Refreshments like lemonade are much popular during hotter days. So why should you avoid lemonade? This juice drink has much acid in it. The acid from citrus fruit can damage the enamel of your teeth. And too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. Again, nothing is alternative to water.

• Keep junk food out of sight. Junk food like potato chips or any food that “crunch” usually has starch. And this element tends to get trapped in your teeth. But if you can’t resist it, use a dental floss after you eat.

• Wear a mouthguard when engaging in contact sports. Physical activities like biking and rollerblading are popular this season. While they can be fun and exciting, accidents can happen. Wearing a mouthguard when engaging in contact sports is vital. It avoids breaking or damaging your mouth.

• Make sure to visit your dentist. Be sure that before you go out of town, you visit your dentist. Taking care of any dental problem beforehand can help you have a wonderful vacation. If you are going outside country, note that some places don't have an easy access to the dental clinic especially in remote areas. It may not be as easy as getting a dental implant in Los Angeles. If you are in the healing process after the dental implant surgery, better seek advice from your dentist. 

Above all, know before you go. Aside from packing your essentials, make sure to head to your dental clinic and seek advice from USC dentist.

USC Dentist Tips: 8 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Increase Your Life Span

Taking good care of teeth is each person’s responsibility. Otherwise, one will greatly suffer the consequences of poor teeth and gum health. Having a toothache is not that painful, right? And the bloody dental procedures don’t sound horrifying? If you don’t think so, below are some tips from a USC dentist to help you keep or renew happy and healthy smiles, and possibly live longer.

Here are some ways to keep your whole mouth healthy:

Ways to keep teeth healthy

• Brush, Brush, Brush, 3x a day. If you hear that commercial from a toothpaste company and you think that it is only for children, think again. Brushing your teeth is a lifetime activity, only if you want to make your  teeth last a lifetime.  Brushing your teeth and gums at least twice or every after meal can undeniably improve your teeth’s health.

• Brush your teeth properly. It’s not only about brushing, it’s also about how you brush your teeth that matters. A usual brushing can only take up a minute, especially for people who are in a hurry.  But a proper brushing can take up to two to three minutes.  Also, use fluoridated toothpaste for additional protection.

• Floss for longer life. What if you find out that dental flossing every after meal can increase your life span? It’s a surprising fact, isn’t it? Various studies found out that flossing every day can prevent the germs or bacteria stuck between teeth that could cause gum disease and heart problems. That is why, never neglect the power of a dental floss.

• Avoid carbonated, acidic drinks and  junk food. The acid drinks and junk food can soften the tooth enamel, which could cause a hole like cavities or caries. If you can’t resist drinking acidic drinks and junk food, at least limit the intake.

•  Use mouthwash or chew gum after meal. Rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash can kill bacteria and germs infiltrating your mouth, and improve your gum health. You may also opt to chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva, which neutralizes acid and eradicate bacteria.

•  Protect teeth from injury. Physically demanding sports like boxing, wrestling, martial arts or any sports that require physical contact must be taken properly. This means that you should wear mouth guards. So before engaging in this sport, go to a dentist for custom-fitted mouth guard. If not, go to sporting goods.

• Avoid smoking. Smoking is also a great contributor to gum disease and oral cancer. If you can’t quit smoking, use a smokeless cigarette.

• Visit dentist. If you haven’t suffered toothache, it does not mean that you shouldn’t visit a dental clinic to have a dental check-up. It’s better to be early than it’s already too late. If you already have had a dental implant surgery before or had your teeth extracted, you know how important the regular dental check-up is.

If it’s your first time to seek dentist for a check up or have dental implants in Los Angeles, seek trusted and qualified dentists near you. You can always trust a USC dentist. 

USC Dentist Tips: Post-Dental Implant Surgery Pain Management (How to Bring Down Pain After Surgery)

Pain is inevitable after surgery. This is part of the healing process. But don’t worry, the pain can be manageable. There are some tips from reliable and trusted USC dentist you have to take note to help you lower down the pain after the surgery.

The causes of pain vary. It can be a result of loose implant, nerve pressure or damage, unfastened healing cap, infection or rejection of the implant by your body. But these instances only happen almost rarely. The usual pain felt after the surgery is not to worry about. Again, it’s part of the healing process.

Moreover, here are some tips you have to consider to help you manage the pain after the dental implant surgery:

Take post-operation medication and treatment

After the dental implant surgery, your doctor will give you medications such as antibiotics, analgesics (pain killers) and mouth wash. Other doctors will also give you some dental implant home care treatment tips. So take note of them.  This helps you to bring down the pain.

Treat swelling with a pack of ice

Bruising and swelling can take up to 3 days after the dental implant surgery, which is perfectly normal. But sometimes, it can last a week. You can reduce and prevent too much swelling by a pack of ice or a pack of cold veggies wrapped in a towel. Hold on the cheek area for 10 minutes and repeat after 20 minutes break.

What’s the best part? You can eat ice cream. Eating smoothies and ice cream can help prevent further swelling, even the cut is still fresh. Do note that after the surgery, you are not allowed to eat hard and solid foods for a few days.

Control the bleeding with tea bag

Gum bleeding is normal after 2 to 3 days. If the bleeding continues for a few days after, you may consult with your doctor. But there is also a good way to stop some bleeding, aside from eating ice cream or icing the cheeks. When gauze biting, use a tea bag. It’s advisable to use black tea. To apply: Wet the bag, then do the gauze-biting with the black tea bag instead of a gauze pad.

Also, avoid hot food or drinks to prevent excessive bleeding. The heat can cause the blood vessel to open wide, which will make you bleed even more. Instead, continue with cold, soft food like ice cream.

Always mind your oral hygiene

Even without undergoing surgery, oral hygiene is very important. The key to successful surgery depends on how clean your mouth is. Keeping your mouth clean ensures no harmful bacteria or infection could jeopardize the implant.

After dental implant surgery, you are advised to use mouthwash. Tooth brushing can be done the evening after the surgery, but avoid brushing the surgical site for a few days.

Try also using the hot salt mouthwashes (hot water with salt). Yet, don’t gargle or swish the liquid while the wound is fresh. Wait for a couple of days or when the cut is healed.

Other things to take note

•  If you are a smoker, avoid or stop smoking as the healing process is still ongoing.
• Try to chew the food on the part of the mouth that does not have surgery.
• If you are required to take the course of antibiotics, please do.
• If you’re looking for dental implants in Los Angeles, find a reliable USC dentist.

Thus, the post-dental implant surgery pain is manageable. Just make sure you are knowledgeable about the proper post-dental surgery maintenance and you got the trusted USC dentist.