When you lose a tooth, we don’t just rely on traditional bridges and dentures. Instead, we could support a new tooth with dental implants. But how do we implant these new teeth, and what should you expect from this oral surgical procedure? In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist will explain the implant placement process.

Assessing Your Tooth Loss

First, we want to know what factors led to your missing teeth. For example, if the issue is decay or infection, or injury, then there is little risk of your new teeth. But if periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, is responsible, then we have an underlying oral health issue that needs attention before we can move forward with the placement of your new teeth. We also want to know if you’ve lost jawbone tissue due to tooth loss. The loss of mass and density could mean there isn’t enough sturdy bone tissue to support new roots without first undergoing a ridge augmentation or a sinus lift.

Planning Tooth Replacement

Once your smile is ready for the placement of one or more dental implants, then we will take detailed digital x-ray images, and also images with intraoral cameras. We then identify the presence of sinus cavities and nerve tissues, so we can avoid these when securing your new teeth. Our team is also able to choose the optimal areas to insert your new roots, ensuring they can support the new crown or prosthetic, and help you enjoy a complete smile.

Implant Placement and Restoration

Once the planning is complete, we will employee digital technology to guide the placement process. We insert the dental implants, small screw-like devices made from biocompatible tntiuam, into the jawbone. They bond with the bone tissue through a process known as osseointegration, which helps them last for decades to come, possible a lifetime! They also stimulate the growth of bone tissue, preventing the loss of mass and density and preserve your facial structure.

Once the area heals, we can add an abutment to the post and then secure a crown which addresses the visible portion of your smile and provides a durable chewing surface. The crown is also designed to look natural and blend with the rest of your smile. If you have a severe cases of tooth loss, we could insert multiple post to secure a fixed denture too! If you have any questions about treating your missing teeth, or about the placement process in particular, then contact our team to learn more.

TALK TO MMC DENTAL ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

We want to help you enjoy a strong and healthy smile by replacing missing teeth with implant dentistry. For more information on addressing your tooth loss, contact your Houston, TX, dentist, Dr. Chan, by calling 713-926-8896.