Dental implant are the only restorative procedure that preserves the jawbone. Missing teeth can affect overall oral health and general systemic health. When teeth are lost or extracted, the bone that supported those teeth begins to deteriorate. Loss of teeth and bone can lead to improper digestion and malnutrition.

dental implants

What Are  Dental Implants?

A dental implant consists of a titanium post that is inserted into the bone to replace the tooth root. Over the course of 3 to 6 months, the bone fuses with the titanium, forming a strong foundation for the new tooth.

Once the gum and bone have healed completely, the oral surgeon or periodontist will place a connection post, or abutment, to which the crown will be attached.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implant are generally the preferred restorative procedure for a variety of reasons:

  • Longevity. When implants are properly cared for with good oral hygiene, they can last a lifetime.
  • Next thing to nature. Because implants replace the entire tooth from root to crown, they look and feel completely natural.
  • Bone preservation. Stopping the loss of bone helps to preserve your smile.
  • Conservative. Unlike with bridges, implants do not require any alteration of healthy adjacent teeth.
What You Should Know

Before deciding to invest in dental implant, it’s important to understand what they entail:

  • Patients who suffer from periodontal disease may not have sufficient bone structure to support implants. In some cases, bone can be regenerated using guided tissue regeneration.
  • Placing dental implant is a lengthy, intensive process that involves surgery and several visits to the dentist. This is not a quick fix.
  • But keep in mind that our gentle dentists will use precise, conservative techniques and sedation dentistry to make you comfortable during the procedure.
  • Also remember that the end result will be a solid tooth restoration that no one but you will know is not your natural tooth!
Trust the Dentist: See What a Real Patient Has to Say

If you’re considering dental implant, you don’t need to go any further than our Houston office. Our in-house, Board Certified periodontist provides dental implant placement.

  • Since earning his dental degree from the University of Texas Dental Branch – Houston, Dr. Raouf Hanna has published research on dental implant, bone grafting and periodontal regeneration in prestigious publications such as Journal of Periodontology.
  • Dr. Hanna is a member of specialty dental organizations such as the Academy of Osseointegration, the American Academy of Periodontology and the Greater Houston Society of Periodontists. He also lectures nationally and internationally on dental implant and periodontics.

If your smile is missing teeth, don’t put off treatment. Our Houston cosmetic dentists and periodontist would be happy to discuss all of your options, including dental implants.