Have you lost your teeth and have anxiety about whether they will grow back? Perhaps not. However, artificial teeth replacement options can replace your missing teeth and restore the integrity of your smile. For example, the use of Houston dental implants is a popular dental intervention that dentists recommend to patients with missing teeth. This treatment involves a complex process to determine candidacy and a surgical procedure to insert the titanium metal post under the skin.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that dentists surgically fix into the jawbone to replace missing teeth root. A patient needs to recover before an abutment goes over the implant to allow time for the post to fuse with the underlying bone tissue.
One of the benefits of getting dental implants is the stability that comes from these metallic posts. However, these artificial tooth roots require complementary procedures involving placing a replacement tooth that will mimic natural teeth’ appearance.
Another reason to get dental implants is the seamless fusion the implant has with the underlying bone tissue. Dental implants come from titanium material that effortlessly fuses with jaw bone tissue in osseointegration. Osseointegration is necessary to prevent your immune system from flagging the implant as a foreign object and developing mechanisms to eliminate it.
Do you need a dental implant?
Not all patients with dental concerns, specifically missing teeth, can get dental implants. If you have missing teeth and your dental goals are to restore teeth structure for improved aesthetics and function, talk to your dentist to determine if dental implants are the appropriate approach.
There are a few other teeth replacement options available to patients:
- Dental implants
- Dental bridge
- Dental appliances like dentures
What are dentures?
Patients seeking a convenient tooth replacement option could try easily removable dentures. You may take them out if you want to clean your teeth, thus helping you maintain optimal dental hygiene. Although dentures are an affordable teeth replacement option, some patients may not prefer this treatment over dental implants because of the inconvenience of taking them out all the time. Moreover, dentures can slip out when eating or talking, causing embarrassing results.
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridgework is a teeth replacement option for patients with missing teeth. However, this treatment relies on existing natural teeth for support.
Are you a candidate for dental implants?
Patients usually undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment of their mouth to determine the appropriate treatment to replace their missing teeth. This process happens during an initial consultation with a dentist. Determining candidacy for dental implants is crucial to ensuring the longevity of the posts. Depending on your condition, budget and preferences, your dentist will recommend the most suitable type of dental implant for you. Some patients usually require a bone grafting procedure to restore volume in their jawbone and thus enhance the predictability of getting dental implants. Contact the offices of Jeffrey Busch, DDS, if you want dental implants to replace your missing teeth and improve your smile.
