No one likes to be put in that awkward moment where they smile in public, but flash missing teeth in the process. The emotional, psychological, and mental impact of having a full set of pearly white teeth is something most of us don’t even think about until we have teeth missing.
While there are many dental procedures to replace missing natural teeth, dental implant surgery is widely regarded as the best method for the restoration of missing dentition. Comparatively speaking to other options for replacing natural teeth, dental implants offer a more comprehensive dental solution.
Instead of only replacing dental crowns which are the most visible part of your teeth, implants will also replace the entire root structure of missing teeth. Dental implants can be used in replacing a single tooth root or if you have need for replacing multiple teeth, then full arch implants would suffice to restore your natural smile.
Fortunately at Discover Dental, we offer both single and full arch dental implants surgery. Our team of dental implant surgery specialists are completely committed to ensuring that you walk out of our dental office in Houston with a radiant, welcoming smile that can light up any room.
In this post, you will get to know what exactly implants are, the difference between single tooth and full arch implants, and the benefits of getting implants done by our seasoned dental implant specialists.
What Exactly are Dental Implants?
Simply put, dental implants are artificially constructed tooth root structures fitted right into the jawbone and used to prop up dentures, bridges, or replacement dental crowns. Whether you are missing a single tooth or you are missing multiple teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or due to some other cause, implants are viable teeth replacement options to seriously consider.
Typically, dental implants are constructed out of biocompatible, safe materials like ceramic or titanium. These materials are well-tolerated by most people which is very important when it comes to placing implants, as they are often fitted for the duration of a patients life.
When inserted into the jawbone, dental implants through a process known as osseointegration, will fuse with the patient’s jawbone. This process ensures that the implants are secure, stable, and strong, just like any health tooth root structure.
As mentioned already, implants are a perfect tooth replacement option for either a single tooth root or for multiple false teeth. A dental implants will help to support dental crowns or caps as well as a dentures or dental bridges.
If you are fitted with a single dental implant, then the implant will support a single cap or crown while your dentures or bridges will be supported by multiple (full arch) implants fitted into your jawbone.
At Discover Dental, we specialize in both single tooth and full arch dental implants for a single replacement tooth and where you have multiple teeth missing respectively. Here’s a breakdown of these two types of dental implant surgery procedures to improve your oral health.
Single Tooth Dental Implant Procedure
With a single tooth dental implant, our specialists will insert a small screw into your jawbone. This small screw will then support just one dental crown or cap. With time, this small screw will fuse with your jawbone forming a stable, solid, and secure root structure for your replacement artificial tooth.
The beauty of a single tooth dental implant is that it can be used to replace any missing tooth in your entire dentition and that includes any back (molars) or front (incisors) tooth. Even missing canines and premolars can be replaced with single tooth dental implant surgery.
If you settle for a single tooth dental implant, you can be sure that the entire structure including the cap will not only look natural, but will also feel like a natural tooth. A single tooth dental implant procedure guarantees stability, strength, and undoubted durability. In addition, a single tooth dental implant surgery can very well help to preserve the health of your jawbone.
Full Arch Implants for Natural Teeth
If you wear dentures, then full arch implants can help to provide support to them. While traditional single implants are inserted into the jawbone and support teeth individually, with full arch dental implants, a full arch of false teeth are supported at once.
Another name for full arch dental implants is “all-on-four” implants. This moniker is appropriate as a full arch implant is made up of a total of four implants that are strategically inserted into the jawbone to provide support to a complete set of fixed dentures replacing all the natural teeth on the lower or upper jaws of the patient.
Why You Should Have Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is important to any one that is a right candidate for the procedure for the following reasons:
A Much Better Appearance
Dental implants require you to have missing teeth before the procedure can be recommended. Having missing teeth as you know can be cause for spoiling an otherwise beautiful or handsome appearance. But with dental implants, you can improve your appearance with either an artificial tooth or a full set of false teeth for a natural looking smile that looks and feels like your own teeth.
No More Slurred Speech
Missing teeth have a way of adversely affecting speech. However, by having dental implant surgery whether for a full arch or single dental implant placement, you will be able to eliminate the slurred speech associated with missing teeth.
Enhanced Comfort Levels
Removable dentures (complete or partial) can be really uncomfortable. However, with dental implants, you don’t have to worry about the discomfort of removal, as the implants are a part of your body. Dental implants fuse to your jawbone to form a part of your oral structure.
More Comfortable Eating
Dentures are notorious for slipping off when a person attempts to chew food. Apart from being uncomfortable, slipping dentures can also be a cause for embarrassment in a public setting like a fast food joint, eatery or restaurant.
Nevertheless, your dental implants require no removal and thoroughly function in the same way as your natural teeth whenever you eat and chew food. So you can be sure to eat with comfort and confidence whenever you have implants done. You don’t need to have any fear of implant failure, especially in a public setting.
Guaranteed Self-confidence
Smiling in public can be hard when you have missing teeth. However, with your dental implant placement, you can confidently smile in public knowing that you have a full set of teeth. Dental implants offer you the self-confidence that you may otherwise be lacking due to missing teeth.
Dental Implants are Much More Independent
Dental implants work independently as they are rooted into jawbone unlike dental bridges that need the support of other teeth to hold firm. What this implies is that your other natural teeth are undisturbed by the presence of dental implants.
In fact, dental implants may help to provide other teeth with the strength and support they need, as they ensure that your entire jaw structure is compact and free from infection that could affect other teeth.
Dental Implants are Durable
With proper care and good oral hygiene, your dental implants can be used for a lifetime. Dental implants are built with biocompatible ceramic and titanium materials that are strong and highly durable.
Simplistic care and maintenance
Dental implants do not require any special maintenance and care. You only need to carry on your regular oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing your artificial tooth or teeth twice daily. We also advise regular dental visits to our Houston office for dental implant post surgery follow up care.
FAQs About Dental Implant Surgery
Are dental implants natural looking?
Yes. Dental implants may easily be mistaken for natural teeth. They are implanted into your jawbone and through the process of osseointegration, your dental implants will fuse to your jawbone to become a solid, stable, secure structure which further enhances its natural look and feel.
How long does a dental implant placement surgery take?
A dental implant surgery can take between 1 to 2 hours for each dental implant. However, the entire process of having full arch dental implants may take several scheduled visits to the our dental office due to a number of factors, such as; the sate of your jawbone, and the number of dental implants needed.
Who is a perfect candidate for dental implants?
A perfect candidate for dental implants is someone that is missing a tooth or teeth and has a health jawbone. Our dental implant specialists will always have an initial assessment appointment where a thorough inspection of your dentition in particular and mouth in general is carried out to ascertain your overall oral health. After the initial assessment appointment, you will be scheduled for your single tooth or full arch dental implants.
What is the difference between a single tooth and full arch dental implant placement?
A single tooth loss may require a single tooth dental implant while the loss of multiple teeth would require full arch dental implants. Full arch dental implants can be done for your incisors, canine, premolars, and molars. They can also be done for either or both of your upper and lower jaws.
What are dental implants made of?
DEntal implants are made from titanium and ceramic materials. These materials are safe for use, biocompatible, and well-tolerated by most people as well.
Dental implants are permanent structures, so they are typically constructed to offer comfort, convenience, stability, and safety to all patients.
Get the Best Dental Implant Procedure done in Houston at Discover Dental
At Discover Dental, we offer the best implant procedure in Houston. Our team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons will put you at ease about oral and maxillofacial surgery during your first scheduled appointment.
Your entire oral health is our concern and we would recommend other procedures if needed before any dental implant.
What’s more, we refer you to other patients that have undergone similar surgery just so that you feel absolutely comfortable with the procedure.
Whether you are scheduled for a single tooth or full arch dental implant, we treat your case with the utmost respect, discretion, and professionalism at all times.
You can schedule your first meeting with our specialists today by call on tel:(713) 997-9390 or by booking an online appointment.
