How Dental Implants Work at Our Sharpstown and Bellaire Dentist

As a family dentist in Southwest Houston, we offer several different kinds of dental treatments and procedures. A highly-sought procedure we provide is that of dental implant surgery. Dental implants are an excellent way to fix any missing teeth due to their natural appearance and low-maintenance nature. Here is how implants work and how the procedure is done.

How Dental Implants Work

A dental implant essentially acts as a tooth. It looks and feels a lot like a natural one, and because they replace a missing tooth, they prevent bone loss and facial collapse, which occurs when missing teeth are never replaced.

The implants we offer at our Sharpstown dentist office are made up of three components that ensure they are comfortable and effective:

• A metal post, which is often referred to as the implant

• An abutment, which is a special connector

• A crown or a bridge, depending on your particular case

How Our Sharpstown and Bellaire Dentist Performs Implant Surgery

Post Installation

First, we will ensure you are properly sedated, as this is the most crucial part of the procedure. We will install the surgical-grade post (implant) into your jaw, acting as an artificial root. After this stage is completed, you will be focused on healing for the next coming months. Through a process called osseointegration, the implant will gradually fuse into the jaw. Don’t be alarmed, though–pain and discomfort are to be expected but it should not last longer than 7-10 days. Rest assured we will also give you medication and instructions to ensure this post-op stage goes smoothly. Over the next several months, this will ensure a proper bond with the rest of the implant.

Abutment Placement

At this point, the implant should be fully and comfortably bonded to your jaw. We will then attach the abutment, which will connect the metal post to your dental crown.

Applying a Crown

The final step in how our dentist in Bellaire and Sharpstown completes the implant is creating a dental crown based on impressions we take of your mouth. This also aids in making the implant look more natural. We will make sure the final implant is comfortable and that your bite is still natural.

Visit Our Southwest Houston Dentist For High-Quality, Gentle Care

Our multi-specialty dentist office, which serves Sharpstown, Bellaire, and the greater Southwest Houston area, takes pride in educating our patients before, during, and after their treatments. If you think you might be a candidate for implant surgery, then please request an appointment with us. Our advanced training is why we specialize in minimally-invasive procedures, so even this complex procedure is done in such a way that our patients feel little to no pain and experience a faster recovery.