Will smoking impact my dental implants?

Smoking will impact your dental implants in a significant way. As a result, the failure rate for dental implants in smokers is 4x higher than the failure rate for dental implants in non-smokers. If you have an implant, you should stop smoking and/or chewing tobacco completely.

How will a dental implant improve my appearance?

Missing teeth are common among adults and so are the insecurities and discomfort they can bring. Many people try to hide the gap where their missing tooth used to be and may try opening their mouth and smiling less as a result. Dental implants are permanent fixes to fill that gap and ensure you will have a stable, long-lasting replacement tooth. No one will know one of your teeth is a replacement tooth—you’ll be able to smile as widely and confidently as you wish!

Are there other benefits to getting a dental implant?

Absolutely! The positive effects aren’t just cosmetic. Missing teeth can compromise eating and speaking. Because dental implants ensure your replacement tooth remains stable and secure, you can use your new and improved tooth just like you did your natural one. Implants also cut down on the wear your other teeth are subjected to, ensuring the long-term health of your smile.

Implants are the closest replacement for your natural teeth. You will regain full form and function by the end of the healing process. This means you can bite into any food, no matter how crunchy or sticky, just like you did before losing your teeth. While certain foods are off-limits forever with tooth replacements like dentures, dental implants allow you to enjoy everything you did prior to missing teeth.

What do I need to do before my implant procedure?

First, come in to our Houston office for an initial consultation to make sure dental implants are the right choice for you. Our prosthodontist at Antoine Dental Center is highly specialized in dental implants and can answer all of your questions. During your first appointment, we will conduct a thorough examination, taking X-rays and photographs and casting models to customize the implants to match your surrounding teeth.

Our determination for the health of your jawbone—which is critical to a dental implant procedure—depends on how many teeth you are planning to replace with implants. Your comfort is very important to us, so we’ll have a serious conversation about your anesthesia options for the implant procedure. Antoine Dental Center is one of very few dental offices in Houston to offer full IV sedation for patients who are particularly anxious about the process. We also have an option for local anesthesia, which many patients choose for dental implant procedures.

During that first consultation, we will guide you through a full health questionnaire to ensure you don’t have any conditions that may complicate the procedure or your recovery; with some conditions, including heart conditions, your dentist may choose to prescribe antibiotics prior to the surgery.

How do I choose between an implant and a bridge?

A couple of the advantages of implants have already been discussed, namely that they’re a permanent solution, compared to bridges, and that they exert less pressure on surrounding teeth. There are a few other factors to keep in mind, however. While the replacement teeth or crowns used for both implants and bridges match the color of surrounding teeth, the structure of the bridge makes it a bit more noticeable. This is because, unlike a dental implant, bridges aren’t embedded into your gums. The aesthetic difference is something to consider especially if you’re filling a gap in the front of your mouth. The American Dental Association recommends that patients intent on reclaiming their most natural-looking smile give dental implants a try. Our team at Antoine Dental Center will help you decide which option is right for you.

Are there different types of implants?

Yes, there are two types of implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone itself. Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the bone and are generally used for patients with less jawbone available. We will advise you on the type of implant appropriate for you if this is this case.