Dental Implants
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GEMS Dental
Cosmetic Dentists & General Dentists located in Houston, TX
If you’re one of the 178 million Americans who is missing at least one adult tooth, a dental implant provides a permanent, natural-looking replacement tooth. George Saliba, DDS, offers customized dental implants at GEMS Dental in Houston, Texas. Call the practice today or schedule a consultation online to find out if a dental implant is the best option to replace your missing tooth or teeth.
Dental Implants Q & A
What are dental implants?
Dental implants include a titanium post, a crown, and an abutment that connect the pieces. Dr. Saliba implants the post directly into your jaw, where it acts as a tooth root and provides a foundation for the crown. Implants offer a natural-looking and permanent solution for missing teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
In addition to providing a natural-looking, permanent replacement for a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants also support bone health. The titanium post replaces the tooth root, stimulating healthy bone growth and preventing demineralization, which weakens your jawbone and contributes to future tooth loss.
Implants also help your remaining teeth stay in the correct positions. If you're missing a tooth, your other teeth may shift into the available space, which causes abnormal spacing and could cause your teeth to twist.
What happens during the implantation process?
The implantation process requires several appointments. Dr. Saliba uses a Guided Implant Placement Surgical technique that ensures precision placement of the implant optimizing functionality, aesthetics, and longevity of the implant and the restoration.
Prior to receiving the implant, you will be required to get a CT Scan of your jaw. A mold will also be taken of the area getting the implant. These will be sent to the lab. The mold will be scanned into a software platform and the CT scan will be uploaded into the platform. Dr. Saliba will then virtually place the implant on the software platform ensuring there will be proper bone density for integration and optimizing placement of the implant for function and aesthetics while avoiding nerves, sinuses and minimizing possible complications. This file is then sent to a 3-D printer that will print a surgical guide (it looks like a mouth guard with a hole in it), which will be used by Dr. Saliba to place the implant in the exact location he planned on the software.
Finally,in 4-6 months after the implant has healed and fully integrated into the bone, Dr. Saliba attaches your permanent crowns confirming proper function and aesthetics.
How should I care for my dental implants?
You can take care of your dental implants by brushing and flossing them along with your remaining natural teeth. While dental implants are resistant to staining and decay, you still need to attend dental checkups every six months so Dr. Saliba can monitor your overall oral health and care for remaining natural teeth.
Call Gems Dental or make an appointment online today to find out if dental implants are right for you.
