Missing Teeth But Don’t Want Dentures? Implants May Be For You

Dentures used to be the standard dental appliance if you were missing teeth, but dentures can be uncomfortable for some and are not the easiest to maintain. They may not always fit well, and sometimes you might need to get your dentures adjusted because your gums and jawbone are changing.

Thanks to the ever-changing nature of technology in restorative dentistry, dental implants can be a longer-lasting solution to dentures because they look realistic, are easier to maintain, and provide longer-lasting results. Drs. Spiker Davis and Matt Guerre at Cosmetic Dental Associates in Houston, TX can use dental implants to replace one or multiple teeth, giving you back the smile you deserve.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are more effective than dentures because implants will integrate directly with your jawbone. An implant will feature an anchor that goes through the gum tissue and is secured in the jawbone. It will fuse with the rest of the bone through osseointegration, ensuring the implant will stay in place. In a few months, you will receive a crown on top of the anchor after the implant site heals.

The implant crown will provide a body that will restore your smile and your mouth’s functionality. Since it integrates with the jawbone, the odds of the gum and bone tissue wearing or weakening will be minimal.

How are dental implants prepared?

We can prepare implants for your smile at Cosmetic Dental Associates by first conducting an x-ray to confirm your gums and bone structure are healthy enough to support dental implants. You may require a graft if you need extra support in keeping an implant intact.

We will use your x-ray to determine where your implants should go, while an impression can help us determine the size and shape of your crown. It takes about 3 – 6 months for the implant to heal before receiving the crown, so you have enough time to see what can work. You can use a temporary crown while the implant site recovers to fill in the spot in your smile.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

One of the best parts of dental implants at Cosmetic Dental Associates is that they provide more effective and realistic results compared to dentures. With implants, you can maintain them by brushing and flossing as necessary while also scheduling regular dental exams. You also don’t need specialized cleaners and gunky paste materials that might be tough to use.

While your dentures might be sized and fitted to support your gums and bone, those features may change to where your dentures have to be resized or shaped. You can avoid this hassle if you have dental implants that integrate with your jawbone and keep it from weakening.

Learn how we can help with your smile today

Dr. Spiker Davis and Dr. Matt Guerre at Cosmetic Dental Associates in Houston, TX can help if you’re looking for dental implants that can restore your smile. You’ll find implants can resemble your natural teeth and are easy to maintain. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office on Augusta Drive in western Houston to see if dental implants or another option are right for your needs.