A gapped smile might be cute on an 8-year-old, but if you’re one of the 120 million adults in the U.S. who are missing at least one of their teeth, the look doesn’t have quite the same appeal. Luckily, you have plenty of replacement teeth options to choose from.
Louis A. Russell, Jr, DDS, our talented dentist at Russell Family Dentistry in Tomball, Texas, suggests that you consider a dental implant to replace your missing tooth. Dental implants are generally considered the gold standard for prosthetic teeth. Let’s find out why.
Dental implants have three parts: a titanium post, a custom-made dental crown, and an abutment that connects the pieces. The post functions as a natural tooth root — they not only anchor and stabilize the visible part of your tooth but also stimulate healthy bone growth in your jaw, contributing to a stable foundation for all of your teeth.
We can use dental implants to replace one or all of your teeth. Sometimes, if several teeth are missing, Dr. Russell recommends a dental implant bridge. This dental device connects the artificial teeth to the implants as well as one another, keeping them together as a unit.
Unlike other prosthetic dental options, dental implants connect directly to your jawbone. This provides enhanced stability and is better for your overall dental health. Dental implants are easy to take care of and help prevent bone loss. They also look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.
Dental implants offer so many benefits to your smile and overall dental health.
Dental implants look just like natural teeth. No one will know you have an implant unless you tell them. We can restore your beautiful smile and your self-confidence with custom-made implants.
With dental implants, you can eat your favorite foods without trouble. You can bite and chew normally. You also don’t have to worry about getting used to your implants or them sliding out of place. They’re securely attached, so you don’t have to worry about slurred speech or slippage.
In addition to looking and functioning just like natural teeth, implants help protect your oral health. Your jawbone relies on stimulation from the roots of your teeth to trigger healthy cell regeneration. When you lose a tooth, the bone underneath can degrade over time, increasing your risk of losing additional teeth.
Another dental health risk associated with tooth loss is drifting teeth. When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can eventually twist or drift into the available space. Dental implants keep everything in place.
We begin the process by taking photos, X-rays, and molds of your teeth and gaps. We also use a CT scan (bone scan) to determine if your jaw is strong enough to support an implant.
Once we know the healing site is ready, Dr. Russell implants the post in your jaw. You will wait several weeks while the post integrates with your jaw. Then, when your post is secure, we attach your abutment and take the measurements to custom-make your dental crown.
When your crown is ready, you come back for your final appointment, and Dr. Russell attaches the crown. He checks your bite and polishes the crown until it shines like your natural teeth.
The dental implant process can take several months to complete, depending on how your jaw heals between each step.
If you’re missing a tooth or teeth and want to find out if dental implants are right for you, give us a call at 281-223-1088 or schedule an appointment online today.
