Dental Implants in Houston
Implant Dentistry: Your Lasting Smile Solution
Why dental implants have become so important for those with missing teeth?
Your teeth are an important feature, responsible for many daily tasks. They allow you to bite and chew your food, initiating the digestive process by breaking down the foods you eat so that the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body. They allow you to form specific words and sounds by controlling your airflow. They provide you with a full, beautiful smile.
When you lose your teeth, whether it’s one of them or all of them, all of these functions are affected. Replacing your missing teeth is essential for restoring the functions of your teeth, your appearance, and your overall quality of life. At University Periodontal Associates, we offer dental implants in Houston, TX.
What Are Dental Implants?
When you experienced tooth loss in the past, your options for replacing those missing teeth were limited and were based on how many teeth were lost. Your options consisted of bridges (one to three missing teeth), partial dentures (sections of several missing teeth), and full dentures (an entire arch, or full mouth, of missing teeth). While these options are still used today, you have another one – dental implants.
Video: Dental Implant History
This occurs as you heal. Once you have fully healed, and osseointegration is successful, the titanium rod creates a stable support. The second part is an abutment, which connects to the final restoration. The third part is the restoration, such as a crown.
Types Of Dental Implants
Single Tooth Implants:
Video: How Can Dental Implants Help You!
Multiple Teeth Implants:
Implant-Supported Dentures:
If you are missing all of your teeth (whether in your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both), implant supported dentures can be used instead of full dentures. Your replacement teeth are supported by 6 to 8 implants.
All on 4® Treatment Concept:
Implants require that you have sufficient bone mass in your jaw for successful osseointegration. If your jawbone is too weak, this used to mean dentures. The All on 4® dental implants concept is designed for tooth loss patients who are lacking sufficient bone density. An entire arch of replacement teeth is supported by four strategically placed implants.
Dental Implant Procedure
Before you get dental implants in Houston, we first have a consultation with you. During this consultation with our implant dentist, we will assess your candidacy. At our Houston office, we perform a thorough oral exam and take some 3D images using our cone beam machine. These images will allow our expert periodontist get a better look at the condition of your jawbone, to ensure that there is enough mass to support implants. They also allow us to create your customized treatment plan and optimal placement for your implants.
Video: Dental Implant Consultation
Do Implants Require Special Care?
Implants can be cared for just like your natural teeth. Even if all of your teeth have been replaced, it is important that you maintain your regular oral hygiene routine. Ensure you brush your teeth a minimum of two times every day and make flossing a daily habit. While your replacement teeth, made from ceramic, cannot get cavities, they can still collect plaque, which can lead to gum disease. Periodic dental visits for cleanings and exams are also important.
Causes Of Tooth Loss
Other Causes of tooth loss include:
- Bruxism (grinding and clenching of your teeth).
- Facial trauma.
- Smoking.
- Untreated cavities.
Advantages Of Dental Implants
- Enjoy your favorite foods without any restrictions.
- Your digestion is improved, which can improve your overall nutrition.
- Your speech is restored.
- Your smile and confidence are restored.
- Implants are easy to care for.
- They are permanent. Unlike traditional replacement options, they do not need to be periodically replaced.
- They are more comfortable than traditional options. Your replacement teeth are supported by the implants rather than your gums or your adjacent teeth.
- Implants imitate the roots of your natural teeth, which helps to preserve the strength and health of your jawbone. This helps to avoid the bone loss typically associated with tooth loss and can help your face to maintain its youthful shape.
Dental Implant Materials
- Titanium: Titanium is an integral material in dental implant technology, and it isn't used for the restorations, it's used to make the dental implants themselves. Dental implant posts are the parts of the dental implant that are surgically placed into the jaw of the patient. Titanium is unique in the ways that it interacts with human biology. After a titanium post is surgically inserted into the jaw bone, the bone will begin to fuse with the titanium in a process known as osseointegration.
- Zirconia: Like titanium, zirconia is used to create an implant post that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Zirconia isn't metal, it's ceramic, and instead of being metallic in color, like titanium, it's white. Zirconia implant posts are used in situations where there may not be enough gum tissue to cover the implant post completely. Zirconia is not used as frequently as titanium, but it is biocompatible and conducive to osseointegration similar to titanium.
Parts Of A Dental Implant At University Periodontal Associates.
1. Dental Implant Post: The post looks a lot like a screw and is the part of the dental implant that we surgically place into the jaw. We rely on the dental implant post for the structural support for the rest of the dental implant. The post is similar to the root of your natural teeth. Osseointegrations, or the healing of the bone around the implant post, is critical to the success of any dental implant.
3.The dental implant restoration: is the part of the dental implant that you get to see. Dental implant restorations can be a single tooth crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or even a full arch of replacement prosthetics.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
- Tooth alignment issues
- Damage to teeth
- Deterioration of soft and hard tissues
- Tooth damage
Traditional Tooth Loss Replacement
- Bridge: Dental bridges are aptly named because they bridge the gap of missing teeth. Bridges can be supported by dental implants or by your natural teeth.
- Denture: Dentures come in two iterations, full and partial. They can also be traditional dentures or implant supported dentures.
Questions About Dental Implants?
If you have missing teeth and you want a permanent alternative, Call University Periodontal Associates in Houston at 713-523-9040 to find out if dental implants are right for you.