A missing tooth can happen for many reasons. A person may be hit in the face with a ball, suffering dental damage after a car accident, or have advanced dental decay. When a tooth is lost, it is still necessary to find a way to replace it whenever possible. A tooth implant is one way to do this. At Lovett Dental Gulfgate, we offer a range of dental implant services that may help improve your smile. The key is to know what steps to take to get help.
Why Do You Need a Tooth Implant?
It may seem like once you lose that tooth, you do not have to replace it. It is not always necessary to do so. However, there are many reasons why you should replace a lost tooth instead of allowing it to remain an open gap. Some of those reasons include:
- Minimize the risk of other teeth crowding into the space, which creates an increased risk of loss of other teeth
- Improve chewing and biting ability with a new tooth
- Reduce the risk of gum disease building up in the area
- Improve the ability to speak clearly
- Restore the look of a healthy smile
A single tooth implant may be more accessible than many people realize. It can create a new smile but also creates an opportunity for you to improve or maintain oral health.
How Does a Single Tooth Implant Work?
A dental implant is a small metal component that is surgically placed deep into the jawbone. Once in place, the bone around it heals, creating a strong, durable foundation. On top of this sits a crown. The crown looks and functions just like the visible portion of a tooth. A cosmetic dentist can even color it to ensure it matches the surrounding teeth. Often, people do not know it is an artificial tooth unless you tell them.
The implant fills in the opening left by a missing tooth. Once in place, it continues to provide a strong foundation to bite with and minimizes the risk of other teeth moving into that area.
Qualifying for a Single Tooth Implant
There are several dental implant options. All of them require a person to have a good level of jawbone health and overall good dental health. If that is not the case right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a tooth implant. It may mean a dentist needs to do other work to ensure the area is safe.
For example, it is common for a person who lost a tooth due to decay to have damage to their jawbone from bacteria and periodontal disease. After cleaning the infection away, the dentist can transplant some bone tissue from another area of the body into the impacted area. This creates a strong foundation from which the implant can grow and thrive. The process just takes a bit longer.
At Lovett Dental Gulfgate, we offer all of the services you need in one place to improve your dental health and to make it possible for implants to work their best. Some of the services we offer include:
- Periodontal disease treatment
- Tooth extraction services
- Dental implant specialists
- Oral surgeon services
- Cosmetic dentist services
Your first step is to come in for a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for an implant. Then, you can see the implants to determine if this is right for you.
Improve Your Smile Today at Lovett Dental Gulfgate
Tooth implant services are one of the resources our team at Lovett Dental Gulfgate can offer you. Even if you are unsure if this is the right type of care for your needs, reach out to our team today. We are happy to work with you. To schedule your first consultation, call 713-847-8822 or connect with us online today.