Missing teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly and chew properly. You may also feel embarrassed about the gaps in your smile.
At our 2 convenient locations in Missouri City and Richmond, Dental implants placed by the team at Fort Bend Dental can provide the most stable foundation for your crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Why should you choose to receive dental implants?
Top Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone to provide unparalleled stability for restorations.
Implant-supported restorations allow you to chew any foods you like and enunciate properly.
Implants prevent jaw atrophy. No other treatment provides this benefit.
So how does a dental implant work?
Is tooth loss a common issue?
You Should Not Feel Embarrassed
Wondering what conditions dental implants can treat?
Dental Implants Are Most Commonly Recommended for Missing Teeth
If you have permanently lost a single tooth, many teeth, or all of your teeth, dental implants offer an opportunity to completely rebuild your smile. At Fort Bend Dental, we offer a variety of restorations, including crowns, bridges, and dentures, and can tailor your treatment with dental implants to suit your unique needs.
Other Conditions We Can Address
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Our Doctors Can Assess Your Candidacy
Since dental implants rely on surrounding bone for support, you need to have enough tissue in your jaw to support implants. We can perform a bone grafting procedure to restore your candidacy.
Smoking interferes with your body's ability to heal and can increase your risk for implant failure. Our doctors recommend quitting several months before your surgery to ensure the best results.
If your gums are unhealthy, your implants can fail. Our doctors offer a variety of periodontal treatments which can restore your gum health.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes or other autoimmune disorders are at a higher risk for complications. Be sure to discuss your medical history with our team.
So why should you choose Fort Bend Dental for implants?
Benefit from Over 30 Years of Experience
For over 30 years, we have been providing the highest level of dental care. 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 happens during treatment?
Replacing Your Tooth
We Use Advanced Technology to Optimize Your Results
At Fort Bend Dental, we use the latest dental technology to precisely plan your treatment. Our digital 3D CT imaging system and panoramic x-rays allow your doctor to fully visualize your teeth, jaw, and other supporting structures. In addition, we can employ our CEREC in-office lab system to design and fabricate restorations in the office for more efficient treatment. 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.
What steps do we take to plan your treatment?
Our Doctors Carefully Map out Your Procedure and Prepare You for Surgery
During your initial consultation, one of our dentists will perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jawbone using the latest technology. Your 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.
For patients whose damaged teeth cannot 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.
If you are receiving traditional implants and your doctor finds insufficient jawbone density or inadequate spacing in the upper jaw, you will need to undergo a preparatory procedure. We can perform bone grafting or a sinus lift to improve your candidacy for implants. Overall treatment and recovery generally take about three to four months.
So what should you expect during implant treatment?
The Dental Implant Procedure
First, an incision is made in the gum tissue to access the underlying bone.
The implant is placed into the jawbone and the gums are sutured closed.
While you heal, you will be provided with a temporary restoration.
Over the next four to six months, your implant will fuse to the jaw.
We will attach abutments that will connect your restorations and implants.
When the gums have healed, we can place your custom restoration.
What should be expected during recovery?
Having a Successful Recovery
After your implants are surgically placed into the jaw, it can take about three to six months for osseointegration to occur and the treatment area to heal. During this period, it is essential that you take certain precautions to minimize your risk of complications, including:
- Eating a diet of soft, mild foods until your gums heal
- Brushing carefully around the surgical site
- Avoiding strenuous activity until cleared by your dentist
While it normal to experience some bleeding, swelling, and bruising after the procedure, any excessive side effects should be brought to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible.
Can dental implants really make that much of a difference?
Dental Implants Can Complete Your Smile
Life-Changing Treatment
Worried about maintaining the health of your implants?
You Can Care for Dental Implants Just Like Natural Teeth
Implant-supported restorations are cared for just like your natural teeth. Traditional dentures must be removed and soaked in a special solution throughout the night, but implant restorations require no new routine. You can simply brush and floss as you normally would, and continue to attend six-month checkups. For some patients, our doctors may recommend special brushes or flossing devices.
Couldn't Be Happier
"I've been going to Fort Bend Dental for years. I moved a few years ago and tried out a few other dentists closer to my new home, but none of them were as good. I've since returned to Fort Bend Dental and will continue to visit them as long as I live anywhere near Houston... I couldn't be happier with the Fort Bent Dental team." Sherri S.Read More Patient Reviews
We offer several types of implants...
Our Doctors Can Tailor Treatment to Your Needs
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Curious to learn more about mini implants?
Mini Implants Offer Access to a Wider Range of Patients
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. 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.
We Often Recommend Mini Implants for Patients Who:
Good candidates for mini implants are often patients whose jaws have been affected by bone loss caused by osteoporosis or tooth loss.
If you are missing one of your anterior teeth (teeth that show when you smile), a single mini implant and crown may be an excellent solution.
If you have been told you would need a graft for a traditional implant, but don't want additional surgery, mini implants may be the right option for you.
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Traditional vs. Mini Dental Implants
Traditional Implants
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.
However, regular implants generally offer a more stable, durable foundation for restorations.
Mini Implants
Mini implants typically do not preparatory procedures. In some cases, mini implants are even more affordable than regular implants because the posts cost less.
However, mini implants are not the right solution for every patient. Since they are smaller, they may not offer the same level of support, especially for larger restorations.
Worried about the cost of implants?
The Cost of Replacing Teeth Can Vary Greatly
At Fort Bend Dental, we tailor your treatment with dental implants to your unique needs, which means the final cost can vary significantly from patient to patient. There are a variety of factors which can impact dental implant cost, including your current oral health. During a consultation with our team, we can provide you with a personalized cost estimate so you can plan for your treatment.
What influences the cost of replacing your teeth?
Several Factors Play a Role in Your Treatment Cost
If you need a preparatory procedure, such as a bone graft or a treatment for gum disease, it can raise the overall cost of your implants. However, these treatments can also significantly reduce the chance of complications.
The more teeth you need to replace, the higher your final cost will likely be. For patients who need a full arch of teeth replaced, you may qualify for All-on-4, which can support a full denture with a lower price tag.
The size of the restoration you need and the quality of materials you choose can also impact your final bill.
The level of sedation you choose can also play a role in the cost of treatment. While some patients can receive implants under local anesthesia, most opt for sedation.
Concerned about paying for implants?
Financing and Insurance Can Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Fees
Dental insurance typically does not cover the entire cost of dental implant treatment. Depending on your provider, you may receive partial coverage for your procedure. To help you manage out-of-pocket expenses, we accept financing through CareCredit® and offer in-house payment plans.
Are implants really worth the price?
Dental Implants Offer Unmatched Long-Term Benefits
Implant-supported restorations can restore the health of your smile and prevent conditions from worsening.
The titanium posts act as artificial tooth roots, allowing you to eat and speak just like you would with natural teeth.
With proper care, dental implants can last decades, if not a lifetime.
If you're still not sure about implants, there are other options...
Explore Your Alternatives
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Are dental implants safe?
Dental Implants Have a Long Track Record of Success
Over the years, studies of dental implants have revealed a consistently high long-term success rate. However, it is important to keep in mind that all surgeries involve some degree of risk.
Some of the risks associated with implant dentistry include:
- Infection
- Implant failure
- Disruption of the nerves or sinus membranes
The best way to reduce the risk of complications from your implant procedure is choosing a skilled dentist.
Our team at Fort Bend Dental has been providing exceptional dental care for over 30 years. By performing every aspect of your implant treatment in-house, we can monitor your health and safety every step of the way to help ensure the most successful treatment possible.
What do I stand to gain?
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.
Improved Oral Health
While dental implants provide notable cosmetic advantages over other restorative options, their function is still primarily improving your bite. 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.
Dental Implants Can:
Missing teeth disrupt 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.
Dental implants serve the same function as a tooth root. In doing so, they stimulate the jawbone and prevent the bone recession that often follows tooth loss.
A traditional bridge can only be placed by altering healthy teeth. Dental implants eliminate the need to remove healthy dental tissue.
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.
Enhanced Aesthetics & Quality of Life
A fully restored smile can go a long way toward boosting your confidence. You may find you are much more willing to share your smile in the workplace or in social situations after your smile has been restored. Your restorations are customized to match the shade and shape of your teeth to look entirely natural.
Another considerable aesthetic benefit is that by preserving your jawbone, dental implants also maintain your facial structure. You do not have to worry about sunken cheeks or a weakened jaw. An implant-supported restoration can also provide support for your facial muscles, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Still have concerns about implants?
We Have the Answers
Do I need an implant for each missing tooth?
No. While the amount of implants you need does depend on the size of the restoration, it is not always a one-to-one relationship. Our team typically uses two implants for a bridge or partial denture. Dentures usually require four to six implant posts.
Does the placement surgery hurt?
We offer sedation dentistry at Fort Bend Dental to ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible. In most cases, we can combine nitrous oxide with a local anesthetic so you remain relaxed and remember little of the actual treatment. There will likely be some post-procedure discomfort. Our team can prescribe pain medication to minimize pain during recovery.
Are implant-supported dentures removable or fixed?
Either. Depending on your preferences, our doctors can help you choose the option best suited to your needs and lifestyle.
Have more questions?
They All Treated Me Like Family
"I'm blown away. They took all of my anxiety away!!! You can't trust a lot of doctors, but I trust him!! ...They all treated me like family!!! ...Unbelievable! I can feel confident to show off my smile again. They have been so good to me!" Melanie P.Read More Patient Testimonials
Your Smile Is Our Priority
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.
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