Dental Implants – Houston, TX

Why are Dental Implants the Best Tooth Replacement Solution?

Dental implants come highly recommended by patients and professionals alike because they have countless benefits to offer that set them apart from other traditional tooth replacement treatments. Some of these unique advantages that you’ll be able to enjoy after restoring your smile with implants include:

• 98 percent success rate.
• Lifespan of 35+ years with routine maintenance.
• Preservation of facial structure.
• Prevention of jawbone deterioration.
• Enhanced chewing power.
• No slipping or shifting restorations.
• Easier to speak.
• Natural looking and feeling.

Dr. Castleberry is a local implant specialist and expert who has undergone countless courses to perfect the dental implant process, which is also a benefit in and of itself! When you visit a trusted professional like him, you’ll be able to achieve ideal results.

Dental Implant Placement

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed into the jawbone to mimic the root structure of a lost tooth, and once there, it can be attached to any number of restorations that show above the gum line. A minor surgical procedure is needed to place them, which Dr. Castleberry can perform right here in our dental office. Most dentists have to refer out for this part of the procedure, but thanks to Dr. Castleberry’s education, he’s able to keep your implant journeys nice and convenient.

After the procedure is completed, you’ll be given a few months to heal before you return to our dental office to receive your new teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

During your consultation, we’ll examine your mouth and let you know what type of dental implant restoration would be best to complete your smile. Whether you’re missing one or several of your pearly whites, there are a variety of different ways that we can rejuvenate your grin with this advanced procedure.

Implant-Retained Crowns & Bridges

For a single missing tooth, we can restore it using what is called an implant-retained crown. This consists of an all-porcelain crown connected to the implant using something called an abutment, which is similar to a tiny screw. Once in place, the crown will completely blend into the smile and resemble a natural tooth in every way.

For patients missing a few teeth in a row, an implant crown can also be bonded to additional prosthetic teeth to replace them, forming an implant-retained bridge.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Sick and tired of your unreliable dentures? Dental implants can give you a set of teeth you can finally rely on. With implant-retained dentures, the prosthetic teeth are anchored directly to the jawbone using multiple implants placed within the mouth. Compared to a traditional removable denture, implant dentures have a much more secure hold, the fit lasts for years, and it even helps restore more of a patient’s bite strength, enabling them to enjoy a more varied (and healthier) diet.

Mini Dental Implants

Many patients with missing teeth have experienced bone loss in the jaw as a result, making them ineligible to get traditional implants (implant posts need a strong jawbone to stay in place). For these patients, mini dental implants now offer a viable alternative. Shorter and thinner than regular ones, they can still be used to secure a denture with a much better fit than a traditional overdenture. They can also be placed in restored in much less time due to their reduced size!

Teeth-in-a-Day/All-on-4

With this procedure, we can replace an entire row of missing teeth in just one appointment using only four dental implants. Once the implants are placed, they are immediately attached to a denture. With that, a patient will have a completely new smile! This treatment enables someone to literally wake up one morning with missing teeth and go to bed that night with a full smile. Typically, the only regret people have is that they didn’t come in to see us sooner!

What is a Bone Graft?

It’s not uncommon for our patients who have been missing teeth for awhile before getting dental implants to need a bone graft before they can be considered good candidates for the procedure. In order for the implants to fuse with your jawbone, which is what allows them to offer so many benefits, it’s crucial for the bone to be strong and dense. If years go by where the area is no longer being stimulated by the roots of a tooth, it will begin to erode and weaken.

Our team will take X-ray images of your jawbone and facial structure to examine the area and whether it’s strong enough to support the implant posts. If it’s not, we’ll likely suggest a bone graft, which is a simple procedure where we’ll transplant bone to your jawbone from another area of your body. The cells in the new bone will seal themselves to the old one, providing your jawbone with essential support for your dental implants.

Dental Implant FAQs

Are you still curious about dental implants? We understand that even after learning some information, you may have additional questions about this state-of-the-art tooth replacement. That’s why we’ve complied a list of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants. We want our patients to have the information they need to feel confident in their treatment. Read on to learn more about dental implants in Houston.

How long do implants last?

One of the reasons why dental implants are so popular is their longevity. With proper care like brushing, flossing, and routine visits to our office, you can enjoy dental implants for an entire lifetime. Just be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session, paying close attention to the areas with implants. You should also floss to ensure that no food debris or plaque gets caught in between teeth. While the restorations themselves may eventually need replacing, our high-quality dental implants are built to last.

Does dental insurance cover implants?

While every plan is different, dental insurance typically does not cover dental implants. However, in many cases, we can maximize your benefits, allowing your insurance to partially cover certain aspects of the procedure. For example, your consultation and any periodontal therapy you may need can be covered. Our friendly front desk staff is experienced in handling dental insurance and minimizing your out-of-pocket costs.

What are implants made of?

Dental implants can be made of various materials, but ours are made out of durable titanium. This material is key to the entire process because it is biocompatible, allowing the implants to fuse to your jawbone. This creates sturdy and strong supports for restorations, giving you a smile that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural one. Plus, this high-grade titanium allows your implants to remain effective for the rest of your life (with proper care).

What are the different parts of the dental implant?

Dental implants have multiple parts that make up your tooth replacement—it’s the only solution that restores your teeth from the roots up. There are 3 main components of the entire replacement. It starts with the implant itself, which is then mounted with an abutment (a small connector). This piece then allows Dr. Castleberry to place your restoration. For a single tooth implant, the restoration is a custom-made dental crown, but you may also need dental bridges or dentures.