Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. A person who has lost their teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything. Their teeth appear natural and their facial contours are preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile once again with confidence.
What Are Dental Implants?
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
The Surgical Procedure
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures:
First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this period. While this integration in occuring, your dentist is forming your new replacement teeth.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Drs. Kim or Geiger will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums that will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts will be covered and hidden from view by the artificial teeth that are placed. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
Dental Implants Presentation
To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.
Surgical Advances
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Drs. Kim or Geiger is able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth extraction – further minimizing your number of surgical procedures.
Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Drs. Kim or Geiger performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?
A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon a variety of factors. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball-in-socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.
Drs. Kim or Geiger performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs, or for those who need extensive bone grafting.
Why Dental Implants?
Dental implants can vastly improve your life. When you lose several teeth – whether it’s a new situation or something that you have lived with for years – chances are you’ve never become fully accustomed to missing such a vital part of yourself.
Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.
A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.
Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?
There are several reasons: A dental bridge can sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge the space of the missing tooth/teeth. In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.
Are You A Candidate For Implants?
If you are considering implants your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants there are ways of improving the outcome, such as bone grafting, which may be recommended.
What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?
The majority of dental implants and bone grafting can be performed in our office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.
Do Implants Need Special Care?
Once the implants are in place they will serve you well for many years if you take good care of them and keep your mouth healthy. Good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists is key to the long term success of dental implants.
Houston Oral Surgery and Implant Center
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- elizabeth g
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no comments they were great and kind
- audrey v
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very good ,good docter
- brithney c
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EVERYTHING IT WAS GOOD
- teresa M
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they did good and i have no pain
- christopher b
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great staff and excellent service:))))))
- brianna m
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This ia an excellent place to come get your wisdom teeth pulled
- Alexis G
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Great Service
- Thomas R
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Would recommend this clinic to others. The only thing that I think needs to be improved is the doctors time with patient and he needs to explain everything to the patient briefly and patiently.
- Usama I
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staff and dr really good
- maria r
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They did a great job
- Yajaira E
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great job
- Yajaira E
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It was a great service , I would required other patients to come over and visit.
- Jennifer
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helpful
- Edgar R
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The procedure was done with ease and I would come back.
- Deouna D
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I would recommend this Dental to anyone who care about there love ones and how they are addressed and treated.
- June B
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service was great
- markeil m
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great facility great doctor
- kasey s
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Great Service and excellent doctor & staff.
- Tanaka S
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awseome dentist
- Hung Nguyen
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This ia an excellent place to come get your wisdom teeth pulled
- Alexis G
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This ia an excellent place to come get your wisdom teeth pulled
- Alexis G
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excellent
- Maira C
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Y'all the best.
- perla f
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Great Service.
- Katherine R
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Thanks to the work i needed on my teeth, i don't feel no more pain due to the work i had on my teeth.
- Alyssa Garcia G
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i think everything was good an smoove.
- isaiah g
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Courtesy and Friendliness shown by the staff and Doctor
- Xavier P
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there nice
- alondra s
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Everything was good
- Gabriela L
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Very good, thank you
- steven s
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The service is great here. I would for sure recommend this dental office to Friends and Family.
- Jeannie H
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good
- Anjelica M
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I will from now own this day forward use this center for all my dental care.
- Barbara J
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Good Attention
- Paola A
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the work was pretty great
- Jennifer G
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Really nice and friendly staff.
- Nallely J
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Great Experience
- Freddy T
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I like the service they have and I did not have any problems with pains
- Miguel Rebolledo A
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They were very nice
- Alondra S
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I've only visited this center once but I find it a very nice place. The doctor and nurses are very kind and they do the job.
- Tu L
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they did a good job
- shelia m
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Great
- willie c
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not to bad
- don a
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Very clean and orderly. The staff are amazing people and all deserve raises. They value everyone who comes in and wishes to be of service to all. I could not have imagined a better dental clinic.
- Malik W
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i would recommend anyone to come here. Dr. Kim was very good to my son and my son has downsyndrome, the assistants were just as nice and good too. I would come back.
- Anonymous
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Great Job.
- Roberto C
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they call to see if they can help and give a number to you if you need anything. i thank all of the staff and the droctor.
- ann t
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They made me feel comfortable and safe when handling my surgery.
- Karla R
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The doctor was fantastic and so were the nurses. The procedure went fantastic. That is all.
- Pablo T