Dental Implants: When Our Houston Cosmetic Dentist Recommends Them and What They Consist Of

As a top-rated cosmetic dentist in Houston, we offer several different dental treatments and procedures that both restore your smile and make it look even more beautiful than ever before. A very common cosmetic dentistry procedure we offer that also transforms your smile is the dental implant. Here’s when we recommend a dental implant and what it consists of.

When Do We Recommend You Get a Dental Implant?

First and foremost, a dental implant is meant to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. In the latter case, we may recommend a dental bridge, but this depends on your personal case. So, if you’re missing any teeth, especially toward the front, a dental implant may be recommended to you because it looks and feels like a natural tooth, without disturbing your natural teeth.

What Does a Dental Implant Consist of?

A dental implant is made up of 3 parts:

• Metal post
• Abutment
• Crown or bridge

How Our Houston Cosmetic Dentist Installs a Dental Implant

Dental Implants are complex surgeries that need to be done in phases.

Phase One: Post Installation

Of course, we have to make sure you’re sedated so you don’t feel anything during the procedure. We offer different dental sedation methods and which one we use is determined by your specific needs.

Once you’re sedated, our Houston cosmetic dentist will install a surgical-grade post–which is referred to as the implant itself–into your jaw. This will serve as your new tooth’s “root” 

After the installation is complete, you will still have a gap, but your main focus must be on healing over the next few months. This healing process, which is known as osseointegration is crucial to ensuring your implant surgery is a success. During this process, the dental implant post will gradually bond itself into the jaw. This sounds severely painful, but rest assured that you will only feel some mild pain and discomfort for a few days, which you will treat with medication we prescribe.

Phase Two: Abutment Placement

We move onto phase two once the dental implant is fully bonded to your jaw. We will then attach the abutment, a piece that connects the metal post to your dental crown.

Phase Three: Crown Application

The third and final phase in this long but rewarding process is the creation of a custom cosmetic dental crown. The crown will be what people see when you talk and smile, so we make sure it looks like your natural teeth and fits comfortably so you're able chew like you normally would.

Think Dental Implants Are Right For You? Visit Our Houston Cosmetic Dentist for a Consultation

If you think a dental implant might be suitable for you, please book an appointment for a consultation. We’ll evaluate your needs and decide if we move forward with dental implants.