Dental Implants Houston, TX
Have you been considering dental implants but aren't sure if they're the right option for you? Implants offer benefits that other tooth replacement options don't. Dr. Fadi Salha of Houston Dental Care provides implant dentistry services to help restore the aesthetics and function of your smile.
Single Or Multiple Implants
Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.
Dental Implant Procedure
Because your implant integrates with the bone in your jaw, it becomes a permanent part of your mouth. During the first step in the implant process, your Houston, TX dentist creates a small hole in your jaw and places a titanium implant inside it. Titanium is the preferred implant material because the metal easily bonds to surrounding bone. Once the implant integrates with your jawbone, it provides a secure foundation for the crown that will be attached to it. Osseointegration usually takes about three to six months. After the implant fuses with the bone, your Houston dentist will add an abutment, which will connect your new crown to your implant.
Advantages Over Dentures or Bridges
A good fit is essential if you choose a bridge or partial or full dentures to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. When these appliances don't fit well, painful gum irritation can occur when your bite and chew. It can also be more difficult to eat or smile with confidence.
Since implants become part of your jawbone, your new tooth is securely anchored in place and doesn't move. Implants not only look natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don't directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don't compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants will typically last a lifetime.
Benefits Of Dental Implants To Your Oral Health
Your tooth roots don't just anchor your teeth in your jaw. They also provide the constant stimulation your jawbone needs to stay strong. When you lose a tooth, the underlying bone begins to shrink or weaken because it no longer receives any stimulation. Eventually, facial sagging can occur due to changes in the jawbone, particularly if you've lost several teeth. Dental implants from your dentist in Houston, TX help keep your jawbone strong and prevent shrinking.
Although implants may have a relatively high initial cost, the lifetime cost of a dental implant is usually actually lower than the cost of bridges and dentures. Since these appliances must be replaced periodically, you'll actually pay for them more than once. An implant only requires a one-time cost.