Getting a Dental Implant? What to Know About the Process

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There are many ways that dentists can fill a gap when a tooth is missing. One of the options available is dental implant installation. Dental implants look and perform like natural teeth, because they’re inserted into the jaw through a surgical procedure.

If you have questions about dental implants, your dentist in Sugarland, TX, can help. At First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer dental implant installation to restore your smile when you’re missing a permanent tooth.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a type of prosthetic tooth. Implants are made up of three pieces: the screw, abutment, and crown. The crown is the part of the tooth that’s visible over the surface of the gum. Dental crowns are made from impressions of the mouth and are customized to fit perfectly in the space where there is a missing tooth so the implant looks natural.

How Are Dental Implants Installed?

Dental implants are installed through a series of procedures performed at the dental office. The patient needs healing time between procedures, so full installation can take several months.

First, the patient is evaluated to determine whether they have sufficient jaw bone density and volume to hold the implant in place. If the patient’s jaw has lost volume due to problems like periodontal disease, bone grafting is required before the implant can be installed.

Next, the screw is installed. This is done through a surgical procedure wherein the dentist cuts through the gum and drills a hole into the jaw.

The abutment installation is performed after the screw has fused with the jaw bone. The dentist will cut open the gum and install the abutment on the screw. Finally, the crown is installed.

While the gum and jaw are healing between procedures, the dentist will give you a partial denture.

How Long Does Dental Implant Installation Take?

Dental implant installation can take anywhere from five months to a year, depending on whether the jaw is healthy. Some patients take longer than others to heal, so this too affects how long the installation takes.

Interested in Dental Implants? Contact Us Today

Are you a good candidate for dental implants in Sugarland, TX? The professionals at First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are here to help. Call today to make an appointment and learn more.

Three Reasons to Consider a Dental Implant Procedure

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Could your smile use a little boost? Most of us wish we could change one or two things about our appearance. However, this usually takes a lot of hard work and commitment. Fortunately, if your smile ranks high on your to-do list, your dentist in Sugar Land, TX, can handle the heavy lifting. Through the convenience of dental implant procedures, your dental professional can fill the gaps and spaces left behind by missing or extracted teeth. There are several very good reasons to talk to your dentist regarding dental implants.

1. Dental Implants Can Restore Your Smile

Missing teeth may be very obvious, especially if they include your front incisors. Fortunately, dental implants look just like natural teeth. They can also be dyed to exactly match the white shade of your surrounding teeth. This means nobody can tell they aren’t real. Your dentist can easily place a single dental implant to replace one missing tooth. Or, they can place an implant-supported bridge to replace a row of teeth that have gone missing or been extracted.

2. Implants Can Make It Easier to Bite and Chew

Often, when we lose one or two natural teeth, it becomes more difficult to bite and chew. The front incisors are responsible for biting, cutting, and tearing actions, and your rear molars are your grinders. Together, they make it easy to feast on all your other favorite foods. If you’re lacking an incisor, this may affect your ability to bite into a sandwich or an orange. If you’re missing a molar, chewing that material into pieces small enough to safely swallow becomes a challenge. Dental implants can replace both types of teeth, restoring function and allowing you to easily enjoy your favorite foods again.

3. Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

Bone loss can occur if you lose a natural tooth and leave an empty space behind. Over time, the bone beneath that missing tooth will be reabsorbed by the jawbone, causing all sorts of potential dental problems. By placing a dental implant, your dentist can help you avoid future issues.

If you’re ready to talk about the many advantages of dental implants in Sugar Land, TX, call First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today.

Missing a Tooth? How An Implant Can Help

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A missing permanent tooth can be a big problem in many ways. In addition to the aesthetic problems that a missing tooth creates, gaps in between teeth can also cause the remaining teeth to shift.

If you’re missing a tooth, your dentist in Sugar Land TX may recommend an implant to fill the gap, restore functionality to your teeth and help restore your confidence in your smile. Knowing what an implant is and how it works can help you decide if an implant is right for you.

What Is An Implant?

An implant is a prosthetic tooth that is implanted into the jaw of the mouth, so it’s permanently installed. Implants have a dental crown on top, so they look just like real teeth.

Benefits of Implants

There are many benefits of implants compared to other types of prosthetic teeth. Below are some of the reasons that implants are so popular.

Natural appearance. Implants are virtually indistinguishable from the teeth that are already in your mouth. In fact, your dentist will choose the color of your implant based on the color of your natural teeth.

Natural functionality. Implants function just like your natural teeth. They can’t be removed, so they’re designed to bite and chew with the same force that your natural teeth already possess. They’re also cleaned and maintained just like your natural teeth.

Restore your smile. Implants are designed to fill gaps where there should be a permanent tooth. A missing tooth can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your smile, but an implant can restore your smile to its previous beauty.

Prevent teeth from shifting. An implant can prevent the remaining permanent teeth in the mouth from shifting, which can help keep your permanent teeth in alignment.

Are You A Good Candidate for an Implant?

An implant is an excellent replacement for a missing tooth. However, not everyone is a good candidate for an implant. To find out if an implant is right for you, call First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We’ll be happy to tell you about our dental implant services in Sugar Land TX.

 

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

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Are you living with stained or damaged teeth? The appearance of your teeth affects most areas of your life. It determines how strangers form their first impression of you, and can be either helpful or detrimental when it comes time to interview for that dream job. If you’re worried about what your smile may say about you, dental implants could be the solution.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth attached to posts implanted in your gums. They’re a permanent solution for missing or extracted teeth. They fill unsightly gaps and help prevent bone loss inside your mouth. Dental implants look and perform just like your natural teeth, so no one will ever know you weren’t born with them.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

To qualify for dental implant procedure, you must meet several important criteria, including:

  • You’re a non-smoker.
  • You have good, overall oral health
  • There are no pre-existing conditions that could impede healing.
  • There is sufficient healthy jawbone tissue present.
  • You have missing teeth or teeth that are too damaged to repair.

Many people are suitable candidates for this dental procedure, but you must commit to a period of months to allow the implanted posts to bond with your jawbone. Dental implants require repeat visits to your dental professional with sufficient healing time in between.

What’s Involved in a Dental Implant Procedure?

Your dental professional will first implant a titanium post in your gums. Over time, this post will osseointegrate, or bond, to your jawbone. Once you’ve healed from this procedure, your dentist will place an abutment on the post. This acts as a connector of sorts, between the artificial tooth and the titanium post. The last step in the procedure involves placing the dental prosthetic onto the abutment. Your new tooth or fixture will function just like a natural tooth, and you’ll care for it in the same way. There’s no need to remove it for sleeping or cleaning. Dental implants help you avoid the damaging bone loss that comes when teeth are lost or extracted and nothing is used to replace them.

To schedule a consultation for dental implants in Sugar Land, Texas, call First Dental, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today.

 

Natural Ways to Help Prevent Periodontal Disease

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Periodontal disease is a serious dental disease that can lead to teeth shifting and teeth loss as well as other overall heath issues. It comes on slowly over time and is usually preventable, yet many people fail to take steps to prevent periodontal disease. Preventing periodontal disease doesn’t take a whole lot of effort. In fact, there are some very simple and natural ways that you can prevent this disease from developing.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

The first thing you can do to prevent periodontal disease is to visit your dentist regularly. This doesn’t require any special effort on your part, except for making the appointments and showing up. With regular visits, your dentist can monitor your dental health and treat any first signs of developing periodontal disease.

Make Your Own Oral Rinse

With your dentist’s permission, you can make and use your own natural oral rinse at home. There are several solutions that may be effective. One is to make a rinse with apple cider vinegar. The acidity of the apple cider vinegar may kill harmful mouth bacteria and keep your mouth free of germs. Another rinse can be made with warm water, a few drops of lemon juice and some salt. This is said to work for similar reasons as the apple cider vinegar rinse. Before switching to a homemade oral rinse, consult with your dentist.

Avoid Processed Foods

Processed foods tend to be filled with sugars and chemical additives. These ingredients are not conducive to optimal oral health. Avoiding processed foods is a natural way to help prevent periodontal disease, and it will also aid your overall health. To bring this step into action, substitute sugary processed snacks with fresh fruits. At home, instead of dipping fish and chicken into breading and deep frying, try broiling or roasting. At work, skip the processed vending machine snacks and opt for bringing salads and homemade granola from home.

These small little changes will help to keep periodontal disease at bay. As always, before you make any changes to your dental hygiene routines, talk to your dentist. Your dentist may be able to offer even more ideas for preventing periodontal disease using natural methods.

Types of Dental Implants

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Common dental prosthetics, such as bridges, crowns, and dentures, normally require dental implants to secure fixture and attachment. Dental implants have been standard dental procedures for over 30 years, and recent advancements in dentistry have introduced improvements such as mini implants to extend the options available to patients. Today, dental implants look and feel almost 100% natural, and have a record high success rate.  Here’s what you need to know:

Two General Types of Dental Implants

Endosteal implant:
This implant is the most common among dental implants, and is used to mimic a natural tooth root by being inserted directly into the jawbone.

Subperiosteal implant:
These implants are secured under the gums, and are used when a patient lacks sufficient healthy jawbone for an endosteal implant.

Your dentist will make an informed decision on which implant better suits your needs, and will better accommodate your situation.

Dental Implants: Advantages

Implants pave the way for your teeth to regain their functionality: once installed and healed, you can continue to enjoy important parts of your life such as eating and speaking.  Implants also help restore the aesthetic qualities of your face and jaw; missing teeth can lead to a sunken appearance and relaxing of the facial muscles, which is corrected once implants and prosthetics are used. Dental implants are long-lasting, safe, strong and effective.  Contact our office today to find out if dental implants are right for you, and make an appointment with our friendly and helpful staff.