Dental Implants in Houston Heights

Yes. After losing a tooth, your jaw will no longer be stimulated by the natural pressure of chewing and biting. This causes bone loss to occur and also weakens the jaw bone.

When the dental implant post is placed, it will bond directly into the jaw bone and act as an artificial tooth root. This titanium “tooth root” transmits the force of chewing and biting through the dental crown and into your jaw bone just like a real tooth would, keeping it healthy and strong.

Yes. Where several teeth in a row are missing, two implants can support a bridge that spans the gap, so you do not need one implant for every tooth. This is often more stable than a removable partial denture and it preserves the bone in the area, which a denture resting on the gum does not. Which approach suits you depends on how many teeth are missing, where they sat and how much bone is available - all of which we assess from a 3D scan before recommending anything.

Implant treatment is staged rather than done in a single visit. After the implant post is placed, it needs to fuse with the jawbone before it can carry a restoration, and that healing period is usually measured in months rather than weeks. The exact timeline depends on the site, your bone quality and whether any preparatory work such as a graft is needed first.

We will map the stages out for you at the consultation so you know how many appointments to expect and roughly how far apart they fall.

Yes, dental implants can become infected, but this is a very rare complication. This type of infection is known as “peri-implantitis,” and usually only occurs if the implant is not kept clean or is not properly cared for after surgery.

Follow your doctor’s instructions while recovering, and be sure to brush and floss regularly after your implant has healed to avoid peri-implantitis and maintain a healthy implant.

When placed properly and maintained with care, dental implants can last for 30 years or more. In fact, It’s quite common for patients to keep their implants for the rest of their lives.

The implant restoration, however, may not last as long. Restorations such as dental crowns or overdentures take on regular wear and tear from chewing, biting, and more. After time, the restoration may need to be replaced to keep your smile healthy and functional. By coming in for regular exams, your dentist can check to ensure your restoration is in good condition.

Titanium dental implants are made in trusted laboratories that supply a wide selection of pre-selected standard post sizes. The restoration, on the other hand, is a custom-made appliance. This ensures each patient gets a result that meets their exact needs. Your doctor will either make your dental implant in-house using a milling machine, or they will send detailed impressions to a partner lab.

This lab will create a long-lasting, resilient dental implant restoration just for you. Most crowns are crafted out of porcelain which is durable and looks uniquely similar to tooth enamel. Once the crown is ready, the lab will send it back to our office, and we will complete the procedure by securely attaching your implant crown in place.

Single tooth implants are the most-frequently used dental implant and are made up of two main parts. The first is the dental implant, which is a titanium rod with a screw-like shape. The second part is the dental crown, or restoration, which will be attached to the titanium rod. This dental crown reinstates the shape, function, and appearance of your natural tooth. Unlike a partial denture, single-tooth implants are extremely durable and never move or shift.