Scores of people live each day with tainted smiles because of missing teeth. Almost 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Wow, that’s astounding! People miss teeth for various reasons such as old age, trauma, poor oral hygiene, etc. The good news is that you can get your smile back to its glory days with dental implants in Katy, TX.
Nothing indeed beats having your natural teeth. But the dental implants our family dentist near you offers do an amazing job mimicking the appearance and function of your natural teeth. When you go for tooth implants, you will join the three million-plus Americans reaping the benefits of using tooth implants.
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What Are Dental Implants?
If you are not familiar with dental implants in Katy, TX, you might assume it is a new form of tooth replacement. Shockingly, tooth implants have changed countless smiles for over six decades. First invented back in the sixties, dental implants near you have stood out and remained the number one replacement option.
The implant resembles a screw-like post the same size as your root and is created using titanium. They are made to replace your root, so technically, they are not tooth replacements. However, the implant will replace the root as well as the crown. It is the complete package, so it stands atop the tooth replacement list.
Our family dentist near you will surgically insert the titanium rod into your jawbone. After a few months, the bone and the implant will fuse, creating a permanent union. Therefore, the titanium rod becomes part of your jawbone. This feature makes tooth implants efficient since they are stable and durable. In other words, you will have a new root.
For tooth implants to give you the results you desire, they must have the following components:
- The implant – this is the rod that replaces the root
- The abutment – this part acts as the link between the implant and the tooth replacement
- The tooth prosthetic – this is the tooth replacement and is the visible part of the implant. It can be a tooth crown, bridge, or denture
What Should You Expect While Getting Dental Implants?
We have different types of implants and different techniques that our dentist can use depending on your need. You might need to undergo several procedures before you get your tooth implants on certain occasions.
However, a typical procedure will go as follows:
Initial Assessment
Our dentist will assess your jawbone to ascertain whether your jawbone is up to the task. So, our dentist will proceed by taking x-rays and dental impressions to ensure that the tooth replacements look as natural as possible.
Also, you will need to clarify the number of teeth you need to replace using dental implants to create a customized treatment plan. You will also have to share your medical history and a list of medications you are taking with our dentist.
Tooth Extraction
There could be a probability that the tooth you wish to replace is still intact, so you might need a tooth extraction before proceeding with the implant procedure.
Bone grafting, Gum Grafting, and Sinus Augmentation
The above procedures are not necessary. However, if the initial evaluation reveals that your bone might not handle the implant, then bone grafting is necessary. If the gum tissue is not enough, you will also undergo gum grafting. These procedures will lengthen the implant process since you will need to heal before getting the implant.
Placing the Implant
Our dentist will place the implant using the latest dental implant technology when the above steps are complete.
Abutment Placement
The abutment is placed after our dentist ascertains that the jawbone and the implant have fused. The connector will be screwed on the implant.
Tooth Replacement
After the abutment is secured, our dentist will place the dental prosthetic. You can see that the hard work paid off at this stage since your smile will be as good as new.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Getting dental implants is not painful. You might assume that drilling the titanium rod into your jaw would be excruciating, but that’s not the case. The procedure will not begin until our dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the area.
Sedatives, anesthetics, and modes of administration have evolved. So, you will be at ease when our dentist places the implant. You will feel pain after the procedure is done when the anesthesia wears off. The pain should last a few days, of which our dentist will prescribe painkillers to manage the pain.
Contact us at Charm Dental Katy to schedule an appointment when you are ready for tooth implants.
