Dental Implant Restorations in Houston, TX
Among various tooth replacement options, dental implants undeniably offer the most long-lasting and secure replacement for missing teeth. At Next Care Dental Houston, we collaborate with skilled specialists to ensure precise implant placement before providing you with dental implant restorations in Houston, TX. Depending on your requirements, Dr. Patel and Dr. Vu will finalize which type of restoration will best suit your needs.
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About The Dental Implant Process
If you have lost one or more teeth and are looking for a durable tooth replacement option, you may consider dental implants. They replace both the root and crown parts of the teeth, providing a fixed and long-term solution for missing teeth. Due to their life-like design, they look and feel similar to your natural teeth.
The placement of implants is a slightly invasive procedure. It involves the surgical insertion of titanium metal posts in your jawbone that merge with the surrounding bone to form a secure foundation. For this procedure, we will refer you to trusted specialists to ensure that you receive optimal care.
After the healing period, you will return to meet our Houston, TX, dentists, and we will proceed with the placement of dental implant restorations. We will customize the restoration according to your needs, ensuring a comfortable fit and seamless blend with your natural teeth.
Types of Dental Implant Restorations In Houston, TX
There are different types of dental implant restorations, depending on the number and location of missing teeth. Our dentists will consider your individual requirements before deciding the best restoration for your dental needs. The types of restorations we offer include:
- Dental crowns: Our dentists may recommend a dental crown for single-tooth replacement. Once the implant post has healed, we will attach an abutment and secure a dental crown over it to replace the functions and aesthetics of your missing tooth.
- Dental bridges: If you have a few or more missing teeth in a row, we may consider replacement with a dental bridge. Our dentist will place one or more implants on either end of the missing teeth space and secure a dental bridge over them. It appears and functions similarly to your natural teeth.
- Dentures: In case of multiple missing teeth, replacement with a denture might be the best option. For this procedure, you may receive 4 to 6 dental implants. After complete healing, we will connect them with a customized partial or full denture that closely resembles your natural teeth and gums.
Question About Dental Implant Restorations
FAQs about Dental Implant Restorations
Who are good candidates for implant restorations?
Are dental implants better than other tooth replacement options?
Is the treatment process painful?
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If you are interested in tooth replacement with dental implant restorations in Houston, TX, contact us today at (713) 952-0522 to book an appointment.
I already had the metal post put in by a specialist; what happens next at Next Care Dental?
Once the specialist has placed the titanium post and your jawbone has healed (a process called osseointegration), you come back to see Dr. Patel or Dr. Vu for the restoration phase. This is the exciting part where we actually build the visible tooth. We take a precise digital impression of your mouth to custom-design a crown, bridge, or denture that fits perfectly onto that post, effectively completing your smile.
Will my implant crown feel different when I’m chewing compared to my natural teeth?
Because an implant is anchored directly into the bone, it doesn’t have the microscopic cushion (ligament) that a natural tooth has. This means it might feel a bit solid at first when you bite down. However, most of our patients find that within a few weeks, they completely forget which tooth is the implant. It’s the closest thing to a natural tooth in terms of strength and stability.
Can I get an implant restoration if I’ve been missing a tooth for several years?
In many cases, yes, but it depends on your jawbone. When a tooth is missing for a long time, the bone in that area tends to shrink or resorb. For an implant to be successful, there needs to be enough bone to hold the post. If the bone is too thin, the specialist we partner with may suggest a bone graft first. During your consultation at our Westheimer office, we can use our Panoramic scans to check your bone density.
If I’m missing a whole row of teeth, do I need an implant for every single one?
Not at all! This is a common misconception. We can use Implant-Supported Bridges or Implant-Retained Dentures to replace multiple teeth with just a few strategically placed posts. For example, a full arch of teeth can often be supported by just 4 to 6 implants. This makes the process much more efficient and cost-effective than replacing every individual tooth with its own implant.
How do I clean my implant? Do I need special tools?
The beauty of an implant crown is that you brush and floss it just like a natural tooth. However, for implant-supported bridges or dentures, we might recommend a water flosser or specialized interproximal brushes to get underneath the restoration. Even though the restoration itself can’t get a cavity, the gums and bone around it can still get infected, so keeping the area clean is vital for its long-term success.
Is there any risk of my body 'rejecting' the dental implant restoration?
True rejection like an organ transplant is extremely rare because implants are made of biocompatible titanium. Most implant failures are actually caused by tobacco use or poor oral hygiene leading to a gum infection called peri-implantitis. As long as you don’t smoke and you keep up with your 6-month cleanings at Next Care Dental, the success rate for these restorations is incredibly high, often over 95%.
How long is the total wait time from the surgery to getting my final tooth?
The healing process usually takes between 3 to 6 months. While that sounds like a long time, it is crucial because we need the bone to be 100% fused to the post before we put the pressure of chewing on it. During this waiting period, we can often provide a temporary restoration so you never have to walk around with a gap in your smile.