Dental implants are widely called permanent replacements for severely chipped, damaged, or missing teeth. They replace the root structures of your missing teeth, giving you a second chance with the perfect smile. At Energy Dental, we provide some of the most affordable dental implants in Houston with numerous restoration options, including crowns, bridges, and dentures.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that’s drilled into the jawbone underneath the empty socket of a missing tooth. The titanium post is drilled into the jawbone under the gum line, where it can eventually become a part of your anatomy via a process known as osseointegration. Over time, bone tissues form around the titanium implant to secure it in place. After a brief healing period, the dentist attaches the dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, to the implant.
Dental implants are widely considered, and rightfully so, the most effective tooth replacement options. Once the titanium screw fuses with your bone tissues, the dental implant becomes a firmly rooted part of your anatomy. It supports the jawbone tissues, prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting, and restores optimal bite force to your mouth. After some time, most patients even forget they have dental implants because they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
If you are looking for affordable dental implants in Houston, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Laya Omranian.
Your dental implant options include…
Single Dental Implants
Single dental implants are ideal for patients missing individual teeth from different parts of the mouth. Dr. Laya Omranian attaches the titanium screw under the gum line of the missing tooth, where it can become a part of your dental anatomy. A dental crown is attached to the implant, thereby replacing your missing tooth. We provide porcelain crowns that look indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Multiple Dental Implants
Multiple dental implants are ideal for patients missing multiple teeth, either in a row or from different parts of the arch. If you’re missing three teeth in a row, Dr. Laya Omranian places implants on the first and last positions, leaving the middle space empty. A dental bridge can be secured to the implants, allowing you to replace multiple teeth with only two implants.
All-on-Four
All-on-Four is a special dental implant technique that replaces all of your teeth at once. Instead of placing one implant per missing tooth, Dr. Laya Omranian places four strategically positioned implants on your upper or lower jaw. Once the healing is complete, the dentist attaches complete dentures to the implants to replace all of your teeth and prevent bone deterioration.
Fix-on-Six
Fix-on-Six is a special dental implant technique wherein six strategically placed implants can replace an entire arch of missing teeth. The dentist places implants in six strategic locations on your upper or lower arch, and a series of wired bridges are placed on the implants. This allows you to replace all of the missing teeth with only six implants.
The benefits of dental implants
Natural Results
Dental implants are the only teeth replacement option to replace the root structure of the missing teeth. All other teeth replacement options, such as dentures and bridges, only focus on the visible prosthetics. As such, dental implants essentially become a firm base for the prosthetic, helping you achieve natural-looking, stable, and solid results. The replacement teeth look and function like natural teeth.
Restore Bite Force
Most teeth replacement options limit your eating capabilities because they can’t transfer bite force completely. For example, you can’t eat steaks or other hard foods with dentures. However, dental implants are firmly rooted components of your anatomy, and they’re perfectly capable of withstanding your bite force. That’s why you can eat whatever you want with dental implants, including steaks.
Long-Lasting Results
Your dental implants in Houston are meant for long-lasting or permanent teeth replacement. Once you get dental implants, you can rest assured that they’ll last a lifetime. The prosthetic component, such as the crown, bridge, or denture, may need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, but the implant will stay for a lifetime. As such, you don’t need to worry about constant replacements.
Jawbone Preservation
When you experience tooth loss, the jawbone under the empty socket starts shrinking and deteriorating. That’s because your bone needs some impetus for growth. The loss of bone tissues leads to facial sagging, making you look older. Dental implants support the underlying jawbone to prevent facial sagging and help you maintain a youthful appearance.
The dental implant process at Energy Dental
The dental implant placement is a simple, in-office procedure that concludes within an hour. After administering local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, the dentist places the chosen implants into the socket of your missing teeth. If you have multiple missing teeth, they’ll select the ideal locations for the implants.
After implant placement, the healing process takes about 12 weeks, following which you return for the prosthetics. Depending on your specific goals and requirements, the dentist may provide dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. The dental restoration will be adjusted to ensure optimal and natural-looking results.
Dental Implants: Questions and Answers
Below are some frequently asked questions about dental implants:
What is the cost?
The cost of dental implants varies widely, depending upon factors like if a bone graft procedure is needed, the age and health of the patient, how many teeth need replacing, etc.
To determine the cost of your dental implant, schedule a consultation with Energy Dental.
Who is a candidate?
You may make a good candidate for dental implants if you:
- Have gums and teeth that are in good health
- Have sufficient bone density to support an implant
- Are a non-smoker or plan to quit the habit
Most people make good candidates for implants. Even if you have experienced some degree of jawbone loss, your dentist may still be able to perform a bone graft to shore up the site so that it can support a dental implant.
What is the risk?
Although dental implants have an extremely high success rate, there are risks with any type of surgery.
Some risks of dental implant surgery are:
- Integration failure: The underlying bone may not fuse properly with the implant.
- Infection: The surgery site can become infected, and there is some risk of systemic infection.
- Gum recession: Gum tissue near the implant may recede, exposing the abutment.
Conditions that increase the risk of complications after implant surgery include:
- Significant tooth decay
- Periodontal disease
- Smoking
- Diabetes
How long do implants last?
If you care for your new implant properly, it should last many decades, or even for the rest of your life!
Why choose Energy Dental for Dental Implants?
Energy Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in implant dentistry. We use the latest dental implant techniques, including the all-on-four and fix-on-six, to address all of your concerns. Please schedule an appointment to explore your options for dental implants in Houston, TX.
