Dental Implants

*According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

You should undergo treatment with the compassionate and skilled team of dentists at Fort Bend Dental because:

• We provide comprehensive dental treatments to meet all of your needs
• We provide friendly, welcoming service to all patients
• We use the latest technology for the most accurate diagnoses and treatment

For over 30 years, we have been providing the highest level of dental care. To schedule your consultation, contact us online or call us at (281) 499-3541.​ The dentists at Fort Bend Dental can plan and perform every step of implant placement and restoration at our office, with no need for referrals. Our caring team is passionate about helping patients achieve the comfort and confidence they deserve through this life-changing procedure.

What is a Mini Dental Implant?

Mini implants are very similar to traditional dental implants, but are about half the size. The titanium post is topped with a ball that snaps into a rubber O-ring in the retaining fixture, allowing your appliance to rest gently along the gum tissue. Because this metal ball is part of the post itself, you will not require a second procedure to receive abutments or connector pieces. Mini implants can support fixed crowns, bridgework, and dentures and can restore full dental form and function. 

Determining Your Candidacy

Candidacy for mini implants depends on many factors, including the number of teeth that need to be replaced and the extent of jawbone atrophy. At Fort Bend Dental, we will use advanced imaging to determine the best type of implants for you. Good candidates for mini implants are often older patients whose jaws have been affected by bone loss caused by osteoporosis or tooth loss. These posts are also ideal for patients who have insufficient jawbone tissue and do not qualify for preparatory surgeries like bone grafts.

Traditional vs. Mini

Traditional implants rely heavily on the surrounding tissue for support, meaning patients who have already experienced substantial bone deterioration may not be able to receive them. Restoring implant candidacy requires additional procedures and a longer treatment timeline. 

Because of their smaller size, mini dental implants cause less impact to the surrounding bone and typically do not require additional preparatory procedures like a bone graft or sinus lift.

In contrast, mini implants typically do not preparatory procedures. In some cases, mini implants are even more affordable than regular implants because the posts costs less. However, mini implants are not the right solution for every patient. Regular implants generally offer a more stable, durable foundation for restorations. It is important to discuss all possible options with your doctor and decide which procedure will work best for you. 

What to Expect during Placement

We can place mini implants into the jawbone using a precise, minimally-invasive technique. This procedure can be performed in a single visit, during which one of our doctors will embed the posts directly into the jaw. We can perform this procedure under local anesthesia or light sedation. Depending upon your jawbone health, we may be able to restore your implants immediately after treatment. If your jawbone needs time to heal before receiving your custom restoration, we can provide you with a temporary to ensure your comfort. 

Supplemental Treatments

The health of your jaw and the proximity of your sinus tissues to your upper jaws are major considerations when planning implant surgery. If you have waited to replace your teeth and have experienced some jaw atrophy, you may require a bone graft to restore lost tissue and create a stable base for implants. If your sinuses lie too close to the treatment area, we can perform a sinus lift, in which donor tissue is added to the upper jaw to lift the soft tissues of the sinuses, creating room to safely place implants. We also offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a treatment that uses your own growth factors to expedite healing of the bones following these procedures.

A Closer Look at the Treatment Timeline

Your dental implant timeline will depend on several factors, such as the type of implant you choose, additional treatments required, and the rate at which you heal.

Stages of a Typical Treatment Timeline

Overall, the average dental implant timeline takes between four to six months. Although each plan will vary slightly, general steps include:

Examination

During your initial consultation, one of our dentists will perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jawbone using the latest technology, including panoramic digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. With this advanced imaging, we can determine which implant system is best for you. The doctor will review all the costs involved and the expected timeline with you, addressing any of your concerns. Once you are satisfied with the treatment plan, procedural appointments can be scheduled.

Your dental implant timeline will depend on several factors, such as the type of implant you choose, additional treatments required, and the rate at which you heal.

Tooth Extraction

For patients whose damaged teeth are unable to be repaired with restorative procedures, an appointment will be scheduled for one or more extractions. Your doctor will administer anesthesia and sedation, if needed, before removing the damaged tooth. In most cases, recovery generally takes about two to three weeks.

Jawbone Preparation

If you are receiving traditional implants and your doctor finds insufficient jawbone density or inadequate spacing in the upper jaw, supplemental procedures will first be required. We can perform bone grafting or a sinus lift to improve your candidacy for implants, and overall treatment and recovery generally takes about three to four months.

Dental Implant Placement

Once your teeth and jawbone have been adequately prepared, your doctor will surgically insert your implant posts. Before doing so, he will administer anesthesia for optimal comfort. Depending on the amount of implants being placed, the surgery will take anywhere from two to four hours.

Osseointegration

During this step, the implants will fuse with your jawbone to create a solid foundation for your restoration. This is the most important step for traditional implants and generally takes about four to six months. A temporary restoration can be placed over your implants while the jawbone is healing. Your dentist will monitor you over the course of this healing period through a series of follow-up appointments. 

Abutment Placement

When you have fully recovered, your dentist will place abutments (connector pieces) on each implant. In most cases, it will take about two weeks for the soft tissue to heal around your abutments. For All-on-4 implants, this step is completed during implant placement.

Restoration Design and Placement

Your doctor will use digital imaging to take impressions of your smile for your restoration to be fabricated. Our office features CEREC technology for same-day dental crowns and bridges. In most cases, our partner lab will create your customized implant-supported denture with a two-week turnaround. With All-on-4® implants, we can attach your restoration the same day as your implant placement procedure.

A Closer Look at the Benefits

As a powerful restorative option for missing teeth, dental implants provide a wide variety of cosmetic and functional benefits, including unparalleled oral health, durability, improved aesthetics, and an easier at-home care routine. The dentists at Fort Bend Dental use the latest dental technology, including digital 3-D CT imaging and intraoral cameras, to place dental implants with the highest levels of accuracy. By combining their skill with advanced technology, they can help you fully reap the many benefits of dental implants.

Improving Your Oral Health

While dental implants provide notable cosmetic advantages over other restorative options, their function is still primarily improving your bite. Among the most important effects of doing so are:

• Preventing Worsening Dental Health: Missing teeth throw off the balance of your bite, which can trigger a cascade of oral health problems, including gum recession, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or even more lost teeth.
• Preserving Jawbone: Dental implants serve the same function as a tooth root. In doing so, they stimulate the jawbone and prevent the bone recession that often accompanies long-term tooth root loss.
• Protecting Natural Teeth: A traditional bridge, which replaces one or more consecutive missing teeth, can only be placed by altering healthy teeth. Because reducing tooth structure can leave them at risk of decay, opting for dental implants can minimize the risk of infection and disease.

Because a dental implant replaces both the lost tooth and its missing root, it often becomes a huge investment in your long-term oral health.

Unmatched Reliability, Durability & Comfort

Dental implants merge with your jawbone in the months following surgery through a process called osseointegration. This fusion gives implants a lifelike functionality, allowing you to eat and speak just as you would with natural teeth. Because the implant posts are backed with strength of your jawbone, they are extremely reliable and stable. In fact, with proper care, dental implants can last decades if not a lifetime.

For dentures in particular, implant-supported options often represent a more comfortable option, as well. Traditional dentures often slide out of place during conversation or meals. Implants secure your restoration so that you can speak and eat comfortably. 

Aesthetics & Quality of Life

A fully-restored smile can go a long way toward boosting your confidence. Many patients are much more willing to share their smiles in the workplace or in social situations when they are not self-conscious about gaps. Your restorations are also customized to match the shade and shape of your teeth to better blend in with your smile.

A fully-restored smile can go a long way toward boosting your confidence. 

Another considerable aesthetic benefit is that in preserving your jawbone, dental implants also maintain your facial appearance. You do not have to worry about sunken cheeks or a weakened jaw.

Easy At-Home Care

Restored dental implants are permanent and are cared for just like your natural teeth. Where dentures must be removed and soaked in a special solution throughout the night and dental bridges may require specific instruments, implants require no new routine. This often makes it much easier for patients to adjust to and keep up with their oral hygiene in the days and weeks after treatment. 

Contact Us to Learn More

Dental implants are the most effective means of replacing a missing or severely damaged tooth. If you are missing one or more teeth, or suffer from severe dental decay or damage, contact us today to schedule a consultation and determine whether implants are right for you.