Before & After Dental Implants

When you have missing teeth from an accident or dental decay, it will leave gaps in your smile. One of the best options for restoring your gorgeous smile is to get dental implants at URBN Dental in Houston and Katy. We offer several different types of dental implants depending on how many teeth you need to restore.

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What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an artificial tooth replacement option. The base of the implant is usually made from titanium and looks like a small screw that is inserted into the jawbone to function as the artificial root of the tooth. A porcelain dental crown is attached to the artificial root to restore the missing tooth. At URBN Dental, we use Straumann dental implants, which are high quality and designed to last a lifetime for most people. 

Before & After Dental Implants

How Dental Implants Can Help

Aside from restoring your appearance and smile, dental implants offer several benefits, including:

  • Improves bone health: When you have a missing tooth or teeth, the jawbone will start to lose dentistry and shrink. This can affect your other teeth and the overall health of your gums.
  • Not affected by tooth decay: Implants are not prone to tooth decay like your natural teeth. However, they should still be professionally cleaned bi-annually to remove plaque and tartar. 
  • Improves bite and chewing: Your bite is restored with dental implants, which make chewing and eating much easier since you are no longer missing any teeth. 
  • Improves speech: When you have missing teeth, pronouncing certain words and speaking clearly can be more difficult. Dental implants resolve this issue.
  • Long-lasting: Unlike traditional dental bridges, implants can last a lifetime for most people with proper care. 
  • Improves self-confidence: Since dental implants enhance your smile, most people notice their self-confidence increases. 

Different Types Of Dental Implants

Dental implants provide you with different types and options. The most popular type is called endosteal implants. They are secured into the jawbone and rest under the gum tissue. A connection post is used to secure the artificial root to the dental crown.

The other type, called subperiosteal implants, is what people are most familiar with. The artificial root is secured into the jawbone, and the top of the implant sticks out through the gum tissue. The dental crown is attached directly to the implant.  

In addition to these two types of implants, there are also different implant options when you are missing multiple teeth in the same location, such as:

  • Implant partial plates: This type of implant involves using a few implants in select locations to secure the partial plate for a secure fit. 
  • Implant dental bridges: Instead of removing enamel from abutment teeth, like traditional bridges, implant bridges typically use two implants at each end of the bridge to secure it and keep it in place.
  • Implant dentures: If you need dentures, implant dentures are becoming more popular. Instead of taking the dentures in and out to clean, they are secured to the implant posts and remain permanently inside your mouth.  

How Long Does It Take To Get Dental Implants?

Getting dental implants can take between four and six months and involves the following processes:

  • Initial consultation: During the initial consultation, X-rays of the area where you want implants will be taken. This lets the dentist know if your jawbone is healthy and has sufficient density to support implants. If not, your dentist will discuss other artificial tooth replacement options. 
  • Dental cleaning: Before your dental implant surgery, it is highly recommended to have one of our dental hygienists clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar to help reduce the risk of infection. 
  • Implant surgery: The base of the implant is surgically installed into the jawbone. The dentist makes a small incision into the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. Next, they drill a small hole into the bone and then screw in the implant. The implant is covered up, and the gum tissue is stitched shut.
  • Recovery and healing: The jawbone and gum tissue need time to heal. As the jawbone heals, it will form around the implant and create a sturdy artificial tooth root. Most people fully recover and heal in about three months, while others may require more time. 
  • Crown impressions and temporary post installation: The next step to getting dental implants involves taking impressions to create the crown. Your dentist will also take an X-ray to confirm the implant has healed correctly before installing the temporary post. The dentist will make a small opening into the gum tissue to reach the implant and remove a retaining screw that is on top of it. Next, they install a temporary post that will sit on top of the gum tissue. 
  • More healing and recovery: Your dentist usually waits several weeks up to a month for the gum tissue to heal.
  • Teeth whitening: Since your new dental crown will be white, it is generally a good idea to have your natural teeth whitened before getting the crown installed. 
  • Crown installation: The last step to getting dental implants is removing the temporary post, installing the permanent post, and securing the dental crown to the top of this post. 

The implant process is the same whether you are getting a single implant or multiple implants. 

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Dental implants could be right for you in the following situations:

  • You want to replace a single tooth or a few missing teeth: If your appearance bothers you or you have to chew food on one side of your mouth, implants will resolve these issues. 
  • You want to simplify your oral hygiene care: Some people get implants because they don’t need to be removed or soaked in special cleaners. You simply brush and floss implants like you do natural teeth. 
  • You want to protect your other natural teeth: Implants can stop jawbone shrinkage, gum shrinkage, and bone density loss, which can eventually affect your other teeth and overall oral health. 
  • You don’t want removable dentures: Removable dentures can slip, come loose, and even fall out. With implant dentures, they are attached to the implants, which hold them securely in place. 

Schedule Your Consultation At Urbn Dental Today

Have you been considering different artificial tooth replacement options to restore your smile? URBN Dental and our Katy and Houston dentists can help you decide which option is best for you. We offer a free dental implant consultation to help you decide if this is the best option for you.

FAQ

Getting dental implants is not painful. Your dentist will numb the area where the implant will be surgically installed using local anesthesia. For people with dental anxiety, our dentists do offer sleep dentistry services for dental implants. 

Post-surgery, there can be some swelling and soreness in the area where they were installed. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Your dentist can also write a prescription if you have more severe pain. 

You can use ice packs to help with any swelling. Tea bags can also be placed directly onto the gums to help with swelling and promote faster healing. During this time, you should avoid hard foods and follow a soft food diet for about a week to allow the gum tissue to heal.

The cost of dental implants will vary depending on the following:

  • The type of implant
  • The cost of the crown and post
  • The location where the implant is being installed
  • The number of implants you want
  • The implant restoration option you want, such as single implants or implant dentures
  • Whether you need gum reshaping or bone grafting

Due to these factors, the costs will differ from one person to the next. At URBN Dental, we can provide you with a free implant care plan and estimate.

Whether your dental insurance will help cover the costs of dental implants will depend on your policy and plan specifics. It can also depend on whether your insurance considers implants restorative or cosmetic, like porcelain veneers. For example, URBN Dental is a preferred Delta Dental PPO provider in Houston and will usually cover up to 50% of the cost of implants up to your coverage maximum at our dentist offices.

URBN Dental Midtown

CALL: (346) 815-9997 

SMS:  346-472-2345

3510 Main St. Ste E, Houston, TX 77002

URBN Dental Montrose

CALL: (281) 607-5348 

SMS: (281) 978-2381

3201 Allen Pkwy Ste #E200, Houston, TX 77019

URBN Dental CityCentre

CALL: (346) 712-9911 

SMS: (281) 369-9498

3201 Allen Pkwy Ste #E200, Houston, TX 77019

URBN Dental Katy

CALL: (281) 609-4930 

SMS: (832) 400-3047

94 W Grand Pkwy S Suite 240, Katy, TX 77494

URBN Dental Heights

CALL: (281) 667-4422 

SMS: (832) 346-6167

714 Yale St 2Z, Houston, TX 77007

URBN Dental Spring Branch

CALL: (832) 281-6106 

SMS:  (346) 230-1443

8143 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055

URBN Dental East River

CALL: (832) 864-8726 

SMS:  (346) 588-7260

2921 Riverby Rd, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77020

URBN Dental Tanglewood

CALL: (281) 407-2760 

SMS: (346) 547-5111

6363 San Felipe St #200b, Houston, TX 77057

URBN Dental West U

CALL: (346) 447-7399 

5578 Weslayan Street, Houston, TX 77005

URBN Dental Meyerland

450 Meyerland Plaza, Houston, TX 77096

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