Are you missing one or multiple teeth? Do you want a natural-looking dental restoration? Dr. Catherine Wilder and Dr. Lauren Shepard provide dental implants to patients in Katy, TX. Dental implants are one of the most versatile restorative dental treatments. This is because they may be used to replace single missing teeth or secure dental bridges or dentures.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement, and it’s easy to see why. They’re the only option for replacing the tooth root along with the crown. The implant post fuses with your jawbone, acting as the tooth root. As it fuses with the jawbone, it prompts jawbone regeneration and stops it from deteriorating over time.
It’s also the only option that gives you back 100% of your bite function. You never have to worry about your restoration slipping or falling out when you’re in public. You don’t have to remove any foods from your diet, either. You can confidently speak and eat with implants and know that your restoration is staying put.
Dental implants never need replacement. Solutions like dental bridges and dentures need readjustment or replacement over time. Because implants stop jawbone degradation, this isn’t something you have to worry about. Implants are a permanent restoration. As long as you take proper care of them and visit your dentist for regular checkups, they should last a lifetime.
There’s no extra upkeep when you have dental implants. Dentures require messy adhesives to stay in your mouth properly. So, before you go to sleep, you must take out your dentures and thoroughly clean off the adhesive. Removable bridges also require you to take them out and clean them. With dental implants, you just have to brush and floss your teeth as you would normally.
Implants improve the overall state of your oral health. When you’re missing teeth, your other teeth suffer consequences. The surrounding teeth are more likely to suffer from tooth decay or fall out. Your teeth also shift and move to try and fill in the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. Dental implants prevent these things from happening.
Dental Implant Treatment
Dr. Wilder and Dr. Shepard have multiple ways to give you a final restoration for dental implants. They work with local specialists and oral surgeons for implant placement. To begin, an oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue and gently inserts the titanium implant into the bone. Over a 3-6-month process called osseointegration, dental implants fuse with the jawbone.
This time ensures that the implants are fully healed and stable. Once the dental implants are fully healed, you can return to Katy Smile Design for a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture. We use digital impressions of the teeth and work with dental labs to create custom crowns or implant-supported restorations.
Meeting Dental Implant Requirements
Dental implants require you to have enough healthy bone tissue to support implants. Implant posts have to fully fuse with the jawbone for you to have the stability and success you’re looking for. If you don’t have enough healthy bone tissue, we’ll refer you to an oral surgeon that performs bone grafting services. It’s the best way for you to get enough bone density and lessen the chances of the implant being rejected.
You also have to be healthy enough overall to undergo a surgical procedure. We talk to you about your medical history and current medications. Certain things will deem you ineligible for this restoration. We never want to do anything that will be detrimental to your health. If you undergo surgery when you aren’t healthy, it’s risky and leads to a higher chance of experiencing complications.
Oral health needs to be ideal as well. If you have gum disease, you need to treat it before you can undergo implant treatment. Any remaining tooth fragments in the area require removal. All other oral health concerns must be under control for you to get dental implant treatment.
Dental Implant FAQs
Do you want to know more about dental implant treatment? Continue reading to find answers to frequently asked question sin our office.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most patients will qualify for dental implants, and we can recommend additional treatment if needed. Your teeth and gums should be healthy and infection-free. If you do not have enough bone tissue to support implants, we recommend bone grafting, which adds healthy bone into areas that require it.
How should I care for my dental implants?
A regimented oral care routine is crucial to caring for dental implants. We recommend that patients brush and floss their teeth at least twice daily to maintain their oral health and the health of their restoration. It is also recommended to schedule regular dental cleanings and oral examinations to keep up with the health of your implant.
How long does a dental implant last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime with the proper care. Regularly visiting Katy Smile Design every six months or twice a year helps us keep track of your oral health and the health of your implants. Brushing and flossing between your implants also fight against decay that can still impact the gums or remaining natural teeth surrounding the implants.
How quickly can I get a replacement tooth?
Dr. Wilder or Dr. Shepard will evaluate your smile to determine if you require a tooth extraction or periodontal therapy before your implant treatment. Patients with insufficient bone in their jaw will require bone grafting services. Additionally, dental implants require 3 to 6 months after the initial surgery to fully fuse with the jaw bone. After this time, we can secure the permanent dental crown. These factors will lengthen your overall treatment time.
What are the 3 stages of dental implants?
Dental implant procedures generally consist of three parts. In the first step, the implant is inserted into the jawbone. The next step is to attach the abutment to the implant, which will serve as the connection point for the prosthetic tooth. Then, the crown or prosthetic tooth is then attached to the abutment.
How long is the healing time for implants?
Most patients fully recover from dental implants after two weeks. Although the implant site will feel healed and normal, it may still feel slightly sensitive to touch. The initial healing phase will be over, but the implant will continue to recover and solidify with the jaw bone over the next 3-6 months.
Schedule a Dental Consultation
Do you want to restore your smile with dental implants? Call Katy Smile Design at 281.396.4366 or request a dental appointment online.