Dental implants are designed and manufactured with the latest technology available to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are made of titanium or other compatible materials that allow your body to heal around them. At Imperial Dental Center’s Sugar Land office, we use only high quality implant systems and laboratories. They are similar to posts that are placed in your jaw bone, followed by an artificial crown or bridge which is then attached to the implant. Most of the time and in most patients, the dental implant option is very predictable treatment option to replace missing teeth. Sometimes, severe general health issues can complicate this treatment so it is best to discuss all of your options with the dentist first. In general, there are three major phases in getting a fully functional tooth replacement with a dental implant prosthesis:
Dental Implants
Dental implants, crowns and bridges
- First, the dentist places the dental implant surgically into the jaw bone.Sometimes, additional radiographs or three-dimensional scans are necessary to determine if there is enough bone to support the dental implant. In cases where there is not enough bone, bone augmentation techniques are used in order to build up more bone necessary for the placement of the dental implant.
- Healing of the bone around the dental implant is needed in order to achieve integration of the implant within the jaw bone. This process, called “osseointegration” is necessary in order to achieve future stability of the implant. Placement of the final tooth/teeth is the most expected and exciting part of this process. As part of the process, a new tooth or bridge will be customized to the dental implant(s). This process involves taking precise impressions and customized lab work and it may take some time to finalize.
Dentures, including latest technology materials
In some patients, removable restorations, like dentures are warranted. Dentures are designed to replace few or many missing teeth and are usually taken out of the mouth for regular cleanings and maintenance. Some dentures have acrylic base, some have a noble metal base and there are also new technology dentures that are made of softer and more patient friendly materials.