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Dental Implants in Houston


Understanding Dental Implants


What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a permanent tooth restoration, built to replace the original root and tooth structure of a missing tooth.

Implants are composed of two primary parts. The “post” functions as an artificial root. It is implanted into the gumline, and bonds to the surrounding gum and jaw tissue.

After the post has healed, a dental crown that’s shaped just like your missing tooth is permanently bonded to the post’s abutment.

This tooth is indistinguishable from a natural tooth, providing an attractive and permanent restoration for your missing tooth.

The Dental Implant Process

Placing a dental implant usually takes two appointments with a Houston dentist at EaDo Family Dental. Dr. Bianca Williams has been certified by the International Academy of Dental Implantology and is recognized as one of the best choices for a dental implant in Houston. After a consultation to confirm that you are a good candidate for a dental implant, Dr. William will place the post.

At your first appointment, your mouth is cleaned and a small incision is made in the gum tissue. The post is inserted into the gum and jaw and then the area issutured. Your mouth is given ample time to heal from the oral surgery. Healing times vary between patients. 

Once the post has fused to the bone and gums, it acts as a tooth root for your crown. Images, scans, and molds of your mouth are taken and sent to a lab where your custom crown is crafted. Once it’s complete, Dr. Ma or Dr. Williams will attach the new crown to the post via theabutment. They can make small adjusts to the crown to ensure the fit is perfect, giving you a comfortable permanent solution to your missing tooth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have a number of benefits that make them a great alternative to dentures and dental bridges.

Natural look and feel – A dental implant looks and feels just like a natural tooth. You won’t notice any difference when drinking, chewing, speaking, or smiling, and neither will anyone else!

No special care required – Brush and floss normally, and see EaDo Family Dental for a regular 6-month exam and teeth cleaning. That’s it!

Lasts a lifetime – Most dental implants last 30+ years, and it’s quite common for a dental implant to last you for the rest of your life.

Call us today at (713) 474-2334 to learn more!

Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants?

If you’re missing one or more teeth and you are interested in a permanent replacement, dental implants may be a good option for you. However, your mouth must be free of any major oral health problems such as periodontal disease or decayed and infected teeth before you can get dental implants.

In addition, your jaw bone must be strong enough for an implant. After you lose a tooth, the bone below the missing tooth begins to deteriorate, and can lose up to 25% of its mass after a single year. This is why it’s a good idea to get dental implants as soon as you can after losing a tooth.

However, you can still have an implant if your jaw bone is weak, but you will need an additional surgery known as “bone grafting” to strengthen the area before implant placement. This will add more time and expenses to the implant placement procedure.

Dental Implants Vs. Other Tooth Replacement Options

Wondering how dental implants compare to other tooth replacement options such as partial dentures and dental bridges? Let’s discuss a few of the major differences now.

 

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are designed to clip onto your remaining healthy teeth, and fill gaps in your smile with false teeth. They are affordable and can be made within 2-3 weeks, and are typically covered by dental insurance.

However, they can move and shift slightly when you eat or speak. This will not happen with dental implants. They also do not help stimulate and preserve your jaw bone, and partial dentures only last about 3-7 years before requiring replacement, in most cases.

 

Dental bridges

Dental bridges use two crowns to hold one or more false teeth in place “bridging” a gap where you have lost one or more teeth. Unlike partial dentures, they will not move or shift, and they have a longer lifespan of up to 10+ years. They also are usually covered, at least partially, by dental insurance.

However, bridges also do not help preserve your jaw bone. They are also a bit bulky, and can take some time to get used to. You must also clean them using special tools and techniques, unlike single-tooth implants, which can be treated just like natural teeth.

Overall, implants are typically a superior choice if you want to preserve your jaw bone and protect your oral health for the years and decades to come. While they may have a higher up-front cost, they are superior to partial dentures and dental bridges in most circumstances.

Are There Risks With Dental Implants? 

While the process of getting dental implant surgery may seem a bit intimidating, dental implants are one of the safest and effective treatments available in dentistry. Implants have been used in dentistry for over 30 years, and have been shown to be very effective.

Complications from treatment are rare and are typically minor, such as “peri-implantitis,” an infection of the gums around the dental implant. The 10-year success rate for dental implants is between 95-98%, making them one of the most effective treatments in all of dentistry.

Come To EaDo Family Dental For A Consultation Today!

Need an East Downtown dentist for dental implants? See Dr. Ma or Dr. Williams at EaDo Family Dental today. Both of our dentists are implant experts, and can help you examine your options for a tooth restoration in Houston. Don’t suffer from the negative effects of a missing tooth. Contact us now at 713-474-2334 to schedule your appointment, or come to our Houston office now at 2240 Navigation Blvd. Suite 300, Houston, TX 77003.

 

A Note From Our Dentists.

“Personally it's fulfilling when I can build a connection with each patient or help children and adults feel good about their experience at the dentist.”

Dr. Williams

“It’s rewarding in general to meet new people and help them. Dentistry directly affects their lives and smiles in their everyday life.”

Dr. Ma