Dental Implants Texas | How Dental Implantation Works

Dental implants function as replacements for the roots of teeth you may have lost because of an accident, the aging process, or an illness. They’re made from titanium and provide a foundation for a permanent replacement tooth. Lovett Dental Baytown provides dental implant services out of its Texas office to residents looking to improve the look and health of their teeth.

Why Get Dental Implants?

You can get dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth. That restores the function you may have lost and can give you a more aesthetically pleasing smile. Dental implants are an alternative to other tooth replacement options like a denture or fixed bridge.

While dentures may be more affordable, many people have trouble getting them to fit correctly. They can also slide around when you’re eating or talking. They can also affect the way food tastes, which can make the experience of eating less enjoyable.

Bridgework requires you to have other healthy teeth around to provide support for the structure. You can get dental implants if you have enough healthy bone in your jaw to perform the surgery. Other factors like cost, your overall health, and the location of the missing teeth can affect your decision of which option you prefer to deal with your missing teeth.

Dental implants may be a good choice if:

You have at least one missing tooth
There is enough healthy bone in your jaw to support the posts
You don’t have other dental problems like tooth decay or periodontitis
You want to improve how you talk
Dissatisfied with the look and feel of dentures

How Does Dental Implant Surgery Work?

You may need to see several different cosmetic dentistry specialists during the process of getting implants. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializes in dealing with issues related to supporting tooth structures. You may also need to see a periodontist about gum and bone issues or a prosthodontist specializing in designing and fitting artificial teeth.

After receiving a comprehensive dental exam, which may include x-rays and 3-D images, you’ll have models made of your mouth and jaw. The dentist will review your medical history to ensure you don’t have any health complications that impact your eligibility for dental implant surgery. They will come up with a treatment plan to handle the process of placing your implants and post-surgery recovery.

Dental implant surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis. The first stage usually includes removing damaged teeth and preparing your jawbone if necessary. Your surgeon makes an incision in your gum, then drills a hole and inserts the titanium post. They then place a temporary tooth over the post that remains in place until your permanent replacement teeth are ready.

The bone in your jaw bonds with the dental implant. It can take several months before the post is secure enough in your jaw to allow for the placement of your permanent artificial teeth. You can choose to get a fixed replacement that remains in place or a removable one that can be taken out as needed.

What Happens After Dental Implant Surgery?

There may be some swelling in your face and gums after the dental implant surgery. You may also have some light bleeding, pain where the surgeon placed the dental implant, and bruising of your gums and skin. Your dentist may prescribe pain medication to help you handle the discomfort along with antibiotics to prevent infection.

Eat soft foods after each stage of surgery so that the surgical site can properly heal. Surgeons often use stitches that dissolve without requiring you to go back and have them removed. The entire process of getting dental implants, including healing time, can take several months.