Tooth decay is a sad fact of life. It can happen due to poor dental hygiene. However, it also occurs as a result of genetics and age — factors beyond anyone’s control. Decay can lead to tooth loss, but dental implants and other types of specialty dental services can restore your teeth to full functionality.
Restorative dentists use dental implants to help recreate your smile and the functionality of your teeth. The implant dentist provides a stable platform to allow the replacement of a lost tooth with a prosthesis. The implant anchors the tooth in your mouth and allows you to go on as before. What are the pros and cons of dental implants and what are the alternatives? The staff at Lovett Dental Gulfgate can help answer those questions for you.
Types of Dental Implants
No two individuals fit the same pattern when it comes to dental necessities. Teeth and gums and jaws are configured in unique ways, requiring dental implants in all different types of shapes and sizes. In general, you’ll choose from among two types of implants in Gulfgate, Texas.
Endosteal implants consist of a small post that looks like a screw. These implants are inserted directly into your jawbone as a way of inducing your jawbone to grow around it. Endosteal implants may also include abutments, which are caps on the end of the implant to secure the tooth in place.
Subperiosteal implants are also small and “screw-like.” But subperiosteal implants are for individuals whose jawbones may not be strong or big enough to support the endosteal implants. These sit atop the jawbone but below the gum.
An implant dentist can do some restorative work, such as a bone graft, to build up your jawbone so you can support endosteal implants.
Can I Support Dental Implants?
Dental implants are not for everyone. The state of your mouth will determine whether you are in good enough condition. Implants also take a toll on your body and require a commitment to keep them in good health.
In general, to be a candidate for implants, you should:
- Be in good physical health
- Be in good oral health – Free from gum disease
- Have a fully formed jawbone
- Be a non-smoker – Smoking interferes with healing
- Not be prone to clenching your teeth – This can interfere with the stability of the implant
Unlike some other specialty dental services, implant oral surgery is not a single-visit process. You will see your implant dentist several times over a period of months.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
Dental implants are just one option for patients who are suffering from tooth loss. They do have advantages and disadvantages over other types of restorations.
The biggest plus of dental implants: they require much less maintenance than dentures or bridges. In some cases, higher-quality implants can last for a lifetime. Care is easier too – they just need regular brushing and flossing.
Among the reasons you might not want dental implants are the potential for sinus damage. Sometimes implants are inserted too far into the upper jaw, entering a sinus cavity and causing problems from there. You’re also susceptible to infections and the implants could damage other teeth, blood vessels, or gum tissue.
Contact Lovett Dental Gulfgate Today
Some decay in your teeth over the years is virtually inevitable, even for people who brush and floss regularly. If you’ve lost teeth, or even fear you might in the future, consider consulting with Lovett Dental’s mall location in Gulfgate, Texas. Our oral surgeons and restorative dentistry experts can help you decide if implants are right for you. And if the answer is no, we can help you identify an alternative approach to restoring your smile. Lovett Dental Gulfgate also provides a full range of general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry services. Come see us in the event of an emergency, and Saturday hours are also possible. For all your dental needs, reach out to Lovett Dental. Contact us today by calling Lovett Dental Gulfgate at 713-847-8822.
