Dental Implants Houston, Texas 77070
A lost tooth makes us conscious of our health and also makes eating a little difficult. A dental implant is a solution to all these problems. Because of having roots and a crown, an implant works the same way a natural tooth does. So if you live in Houston, TX 77070, and are waiting to get dental implants, then you must visit Vintage Oral Surgery.
What Are Dental Implants?
When bacteria gather in the tooth, it starts to decay. The dying tooth loses not only its crown but also its roots. A surgeon replaces both roots and crown by a dental implant.
Our surgeons in Houston, TX 77070, are experts at restoring the lost tooth by using a dental implant. The implant is an artificial tooth that a surgeon installs at the place of a lost tooth. These false teeth are of titanium having a screw, abutment and a crown. The crown is usually of a tooth-like material to match it with the surrounding teeth.
Surgical Procedure
Before installing an implant, our expert will give you IV sedation or laughing gas so you may be comfortable during the procedure. Local anesthesia is also given to numb the area where an implant is to be installed. Our team discusses all the options with you so you are aware of the procedure.
The surgeon will then make a small incision in the gums to uncover the bone. He will then create space in the bone for the implant using surgical instruments. The upper portion of the implant is visible through the gums.
Once our surgeon places the implant, the healing process begins. Healing time will vary for each person. In certain cases, the surgeon restores the implant immediately. Once the healing process is over, the surgeon places an abutment on the implant. Our team then takes the impression of the implant to prepare a crown.
Installing a dental implant is teamwork and requires a number of procedures. Some of them include tooth extraction and, if needed, bone grafting.
Surgical Advancement
With the advancement in the surgical procedures, in most cases our surgeons place the single-stage implant. You no longer need to wait for the surgeon to uncover the area. You only need to wait for a period of six weeks for the area to heal so that an artificial tooth can be placed. In certain situations, our surgeons or your general dentist will place an artificial tooth at the same time as the tooth extraction, which will further reduce your time and number of surgeries.
Though the time required for installing an implant varies for each patient generally, the surgical procedure can now be completed in half an hour to one hour, and if there are multiple implants, then it can take three hours. Consultation prior to the surgical procedure is highly recommended so that the surgeons can explain the procedure in detail and answer any questions you may have.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Houston
If need be, the surgeon at Vintage Oral Surgery performs bone grafting before placing an implant if there isn’t enough bone available. When the walls of the socket are very thin and cannot hold an implant, our surgeon fills it at the time of tooth extraction.
Usually, the gums have insufficient bone if a tooth had been extracted a few years ago. However, after the bone graft, six months healing period is required before the implant is placed.
Similarly, our upper jaw bone tends to shrink making implants difficult without a sinus lift. Our surgeons at Vintage Oral Surgery & Periodontics can perform a “sinus-lift” in which bone is added to gain space for placement of dental implants. The surgeons can explain the procedure more in detail at the time of your consultation.
Taking Care of your Dental Implants in Houston
The success rate of dental implants with us in Houston, TX 77070, is very high. Our specialized surgeons are trained at installing implants and making it a success. However, then too, a patient should take care of the dental implant and the area of surgery. Otherwise, a patient may face complications in the healing of the implant and the surrounded area.
Care involves healthy oral habits like brushing and flossing your teeth daily and visiting a doctor for regular checkups and cleaning. Implant maintenance a key factor to the longevity of the dental implant. A good practice is to visit us at 11620 Louetta Rd. Suite B Houston, TX 77070 biannually to have your implant checked after your dentist has put a crown on it.
Your oral health is our mutual responsibility. You are doing your part by seeking care, and we will do our part to take care of your oral surgical needs.