Why are Dental Implants the superior way to restore missing teeth?
Dental implants are anchored in the jaw bone. They are the most advanced way to mimic natural teeth. By anchoring into the bone, dental implants prevent bone loss. Dental implants maintain lip and facial contours. Teeth adjacent to the dental implants are left alone. Thus, no cutting or grinding on nearby teeth. Dental implants allow people to eat the foods they want. Furthermore, dental implants have the highest success rate of any method of tooth replacement.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are comprised of three parts.
1. The implant is a titanium cylinder that is inserted into the jaw bone.
2. The abutment connects to the implant and protrudes out of the gum tissue.
3. The crown goes over the abutment and replicates the shape of a tooth.
First, the titanium implant screw is inserted into the jaw bone. There it osteointegrates (fuses to bone) . Next, the abutment inserts into the implant and sticks out from the gum tissue. Lastly, the porcelain crown is cemented onto the abutment for a natural and cosmetic appearance.
Explore the many aspects of dental implants:
Are Dental Implants successful?
Dental Implants have the longest survival rate of any procedure in Dentistry. They are designed to be permanent. Dr. Nugent has done implants on his Mother, Father, Mother-in-law and Father-in-law because implants are the best long term treatment option in replacing missing teeth.
The Facts on Dental Implants:
- Are the most advanced tooth replacement technique
- Save bone and prevent the appearance of premature aging
- Look, feel and function like natural teeth
- Success rates of 95% to 98%
- Can be used on patients of any age
- Are a very conservative treatment option
- Innocent adjacent teeth do not need to be cut on
- Allow you to eat, talk, smile and laugh with confidence
- Made out of titanium and will never decay
- Will never require a root canal
- Can completely stabilize dentures
- Can be used to totally eliminate dentures
Older methods of replacing missing teeth include bridges, partial dentures and dentures. These three methods have disadvantages that implants overcome.
What are the advantages of Dental Implants over a fixed bridge?
Implants have the highest success rate of any procedure done in dentistry. With dental implants, adjacent teeth are not detrimentally affected. No cutting or drilling on teeth is required for dental implants. Fixed bridges generally need to be replaced every 13 years. The anchor teeth for bridges need root canals fifteen percent of the time. Root canals and cavities are the most common reason for fixed bridge failures. Dental implants never need root canals and will never get cavities. Bridges are difficult to floss because the crowns and fake teeth are all one piece. With dental implants you are able to floss between your implant and your natural teeth. Dental implants stimulate and preserve bone. Bridges do not stimulate bone where teeth are missing.
For dental implants the five year success rate is 98% and the twenty three year success rate is 96%. Bridges have reported failure rate as high as 20% within three years. Furthermore, the average tooth supported bridge only lasts thirteen years. In other words, there is only a 50% chance that a bridge will still be healthy and functioning in thirteen years. When the bridge fails it is usually catastrophic and requires more expensive and complex dental work. Therefore, the cost of a dental implant gives patients long term success and value.
What are the advantages of Dental Implants over a Removable Partial Denture?
Dental implants are fixed and not taken out at night. Dental Implants preserve bone and mimic natural teeth. Removable partial dentures exhibit decreased biting force capacity. Therefore, the ability to chew with partial dentures is greatly compromised. The attachment teeth for the removable partial denture can have increased mobility, plaque, bleeding and cavities. Removable partial dentures can become loose and can make speaking difficult. Removable partial dentures have unattractive metal bars that can show when one smiles. Also, the partial dentures can rub the gum tissue and leave sore spots. All of these problems of removable partial dentures can be overcome with implants.
What are the advantages of Dental Implants over Dentures?
Dental implants are fixed and are not taken out at night. Dentures must come out at night and also after meals for cleaning. Dentures rub the gum tissue and can cause sore spots on the gum tissue. Dental implants preserve bone. Dentures do not preserve bone. Thus the longer a set of dentures is worn, the more bone loss will occur. This bone loss leads to more complex problems and increased difficulty of fabricating dentures. Bone loss will affect facial contours. Dentures can be uncomfortable and difficult to keep in place. Messy dental adhesives are often used to try to keep the denture in place. Dentures can fall out during speech, eating or physical activities causing embarrassment. Implants are anchored securely into the bone and do not come out. Dentures have a greatly decreased chewing force so food choices are limited. Also, many people cannot tolerate the acrylic bulk of the denture.
Why replace missing teeth?
When a tooth is extracted there is significant bone loss in the area the tooth occupied. Furthermore, teeth adjacent to the missing tooth and those teeth opposing the missing tooth will shift and migrate. This can cause problems with chewing, speech, the gum tissue, the jaw joints and even lead to more tooth loss.
Dental implants offer the most advanced way to replace missing teeth. Call our office at 713-941-8261 to schedule a consultation or for more information, including dental implant cost.
Consequences of Missing Teeth and Missing Teeth Options
Dental Implants are the very best way to replace missing teeth. Dr. Nugent is a Pasadena, Texas Dentist that has been actively involved in implant dentist for the past 15 years. In fact, Dr. Nugent is a regional leader in dental implant therapy. Dr. Nugent is one of the few general dentists that can both place and restore dental implants entirely at his dental office. The biggest concern and fear patients have is:
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Dr. Nugent is so invested in providing the best in dental implant care that he is an early adopter in Cone Beam 3-D X-rays. With this technology Dr. Nugent can see crucial patient anatomy that is not visible on old fashioned 2-D X-rays. Furthermore, with the Cone Beam data Dr. Nugent can “virtually” place the dental implant to evaluate for the best position. Thus prior to surgery, Dr. Nugent already knows the best placement for the dental implant.
Single Tooth Missing – Consequences of Non-Treatment
Single Tooth Missing – Treatment Options
Dr. Nugent loves to create healthy, beautiful smiles with dental implants. Dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental implants are the most advanced method to replace missing teeth. Bridges and dentures are old fashioned and have many drawbacks. Because dental implants are designed to mimic natural teeth, dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth. A major advantage of dental implants is that they preserve and protect bone levels and adjacent teeth.
Who can benefit from dental implants?
- Patients who want to replace one or more missing teeth.
- Patients that want the most advanced and cosmetic way to replace teeth.
- Patients who do not want to damage teeth.
- Patients who want the longest lasting tooth replacement option.
- Patients who do not want dentures.
- Patients that want a secure and stable denture.
Dental implants have become the standard of care for patients missing one, several, or all of their teeth. Furthermore, if you are about to lose all your teeth due to periodontal disease then dental implants are the ideal dental solution. Dental implants are designed to replicate a natural tooth. Therefore, dental implants look and perform just like natural teeth. Dental Implants are anchored in the bone and do not come out. The placement and restoration of dental implants does not damage healthy, adjacent teeth. With dental implants you avoid bulky plastic on the roof of the mouth, and the need for messy denture adhesives. Dental implants offer the longest-lasting and most advanced tooth replacement options available.
The rise in dental implants is the result of many factors:
- Long-term success of dental implant
- Dental implants are conservative
- Poor long term success of bridges
- Anatomical and Cosmetic consequences of missing teeth
- Patient’s dislike of removing partial dentures
- Aging population is living longer
- Chance for tooth loss is related to age
- Amazing benefits of dental implant dentures over old fashioned dentures
Will my dental insurance cover dental implants?
It all depends on your dental insurance. Some do and some do not. The great travesty is that dental insurances will pay for old fashioned tooth replacement options like bridges and partial dentures. (See Dental Implants versus Dental Bridges) The dental insurances hope that by the time these old fashioned methods fail that you are on a different dental insurance. Thus, your failing dentistry is another company’s problem. However, some dental insurance companies are starting to pay on dental implants because they realize that dental implants are a very cost-effective long term treatment. The dental insurances will have to pay one time for the dental implant because the long term success rate for dental implants is so high.
Each dental insurance policy is different. A key point to remember is that benefits your receive for the dental insurance company is directly related to the amount of premiums paid by you and your employer.
Am I to old for Dental Implants?
Dental implants have a long history of use. It is a common misconception that dental implants are new. Initial dental implant placement started in the 1960s as a solution for elderly patients who were missing teeth. These implants placed decades ago worked great. More advanced protocols have made dental implants extremely reliable. Age is not a limiting factor. Age should not be a consideration; the best dental treatment possible should be a patient’s only consideration. Even a patient in their twilight years wants to have the best quality of life. Having teeth is part of overall well being. Pasadena Texas Implant Dentist Michael Nugent has completed dental implants on patients in their late 90s.
Can Dental Implants Fit into My Budget?
After Dr. Nugent has a precise idea of what your dental implant needs are then we can begin discussing ways to make them more affordable. Dental insurance usually does not cover the implant surgery. However, but you may be able to receive partial coverage for the abatement and crown. Patient financing can also help because it allows you to make smaller payments at the pace that suits your budget best.
No matter what the cost of dental implants, they are worth the investment for their stability, security, and the fact that they promote better oral and overall health for a lifetime to come. Eligible patients can’t go wrong with dental implants! Dental implants are the longest lasting tooth replacement option.
The only way to find out just what your dental implant treatment will cost is to schedule an appointment with our office. During a consultation for dental implants Dr. Nugent will evaluate your case and give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for dental implants. Go ahead and request an appointment to learn more today!
Dental implants can restore the mouth almost to its initial normal state.
Dental implants replicate a natural tooth. There is root, body and crown on a dental implant just like a natural tooth. Therefore, a dental implant can be as strong and stable as a natural tooth. The dental implant looks, feel and functions just like a natural tooth. The cosmetic appearance of a dental implant is so great that most of Dr. Nugent’s patients forget they even have dental implant. Patients have a beautiful smile that does not look or feel fake.
Dental implants promote better digestion, nutrition and health
Patients with old fashioned dentures have significant problems eating foods with texture. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Often denture patients are limited to a soft diet. Proper nutrition can be compromised. Furthermore, old fashioned dentures are not stable and have poor chewing capabilities. This leads to poor digestion. However, with dental implants or dental implant dentures these problems are eliminated. Dental implants provide extremely secure platforms for the replacement teeth. Utilizing dental implant dentures patients can eat the foods they love.