Dental Implants

Our skilled Houston dentists are equipped to perform all facets of the dental implant procedure, from the implantation of the post to the placement of the porcelain crown implant restoration. This process allows us to offer the highest-quality care and customization at every stage of implant treatment. In more difficult or complicated cases, we may also refer to implant specialists.

Our dentists use the X-Guide™ by X-Nav Technologies, to plan and execute each customized implant treatment plan for optimal results. The X-Guide relies upon the latest 3D imaging and treatment planning software to guide our dentists step-by-step as they place your dental implants. The precision implant placement offered by X-Guide is unparalleled and helps our team deliver results that are stable and long-lasting!

What Does the Dental Implant Procedure Entail?

Dr. Ann Haggard has extensive training in the placement of dental implants, abutments, and restorations. The implantation portion of the procedure is the most complex and intensive stage, but in the hands of experienced professionals like our dentists, you can feel safe and confident that implantation will be handled with the utmost skill and attention to detail. The dental implant process begins with a thorough evaluation of your medical and dental history, followed by a full examination and 3D-scans of the mouth with the PreXion® Cone Beam. Once an inclusive assessment has been completed, your dentist will devise a comprehensive treatment plan covering all phases of the dental implant procedure.

Four Stages of Implant and Crown Placement

There are four major steps involved in the dental implant treatment:

• Tooth Extraction – If the tooth or teeth are not already missing, they will be removed to make room for the implant(s). In some instances, a bone graft and period of healing may be required before the new titanium tooth root(s) can be placed.

• Implant Placement – The titanium implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone directly below the site of your missing tooth. Depending upon the type of implant restoration being placed, your procedure may require that the gums heal over the implant before the restoration is placed, or it may be possible for the restoration phase of the procedure to begin immediately.

• Abutment and Crown Preparation – When the titanium implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue and fully heals, the abutment (which attaches the restoration to the implant) and crown (the replacement tooth) can be made. In certain cases, the gum tissue that has healed around the top of the implant root may need to be trimmed away for aesthetic purposes. Dental scans will be taken of the area to provide fit and shaping guidelines for the crown, which are then sent to a trusted dental laboratory for fabrication of the final restoration.

• Crown Placement – Once the restoration is created at the lab, your implant dentist will place the abutment atop the implant root and attach the crown, bridge or denture to finish the procedure.

For most patients, Dr. Ann Haggard is able to perform the entire dental implant procedure at Designer Smiles. From consultation to final placement of your restoration, our team is dedicated to giving you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.

Will I Need Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

Many patients can benefit from a bone graft, using donor bone material, prior to the placement of their implants. This method is used when a patient’s jawbone lacks sufficient strength due to concerns such as missing teeth, periodontitis (advanced gum disease), trauma, or injury. Supplemental bone material can provide the jawbone with the proper density to support the implants. Our dentists at Designer Smiles can determine your candidacy for bone grafting after a thorough consultation.

What Can I Expect in My Dental Implant Recovery?

Because the dental implant procedure is highly personalized and includes multiple steps, the timeline of recovery may vary slightly. That said, the process typically goes as follows:

• If a bone graft or tooth extraction is deemed necessary before the placement of implant posts, an initial healing period may be warranted.
• After the posts and/or temporary dental crowns are placed, osseointegration, or the fusion of the implants to the jawbone, begins. This stage often takes between three to six months.
• When the implants have fully fused, the abutments and customized crowns are attached to complete the restoration. Patients can usually return to work within a day or so.

While dental implant recovery is not considered especially painful, you may experience moderate soreness and swelling, which should subside gradually. In addition, you may be prescribed pain medication or directed to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to reduce discomfort.

How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?

The simple answer is that you treat a dental implant just like a natural tooth. One of our favorite things about dental implant tooth replacements is that they are the easiest to clean! A great advantage to implants is that they cannot get cavities. They can, however, suffer from periodontal (gum) disease.

In order to take great care of your implant, you must fight gum disease with great oral hygiene at home. Following the specific instructions of your dental hygienist will help you maintain gum health around your dental implant. This will always include twice daily brushing and nightly flossing. We may also recommend a specific mouthwash and some specialized tools to access hard to reach areas.

In addition to your home care, maintaining consistent professional teeth cleanings with Phyllis and Nancy are vital to the health of your implant. They work to remove any soft plaque or hard tartar buildup from the implant itself or its neighboring teeth. Your hygienist will have access to areas that you cannot reach, even with the best home care.

The last step in taking care of your dental implant is undergoing yearly evaluations of the implant with Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren. This evaluation includes an X-ray to confirm the health of the bone surrounding the implant. They also check and make any necessary adjustments to the bite forces that the implant crown receives. Be sure you don’t skip these important visits!

Are There Alternatives to Dental Implants?

When a dental implant is not the tooth replacement option of choice for a patient, we provide alternative treatments. There are two basic categories of the alternative tooth replacement options: 1) Fixed (meaning cemented or “glued in”) and 2) Removable.

A fixed tooth replacement option is most commonly called a bridge. Dental Bridges use the neighboring teeth as anchors to connect to a replacement tooth between them. If you do not have neighboring teeth on both sides of the missing tooth, a bridge is not an option. Bridges can replace more than just one tooth, but it is important to know that the more teeth you replace with a bridge, the worse the long-term success rate is. A dental bridge requires removal of a significant amount of tooth structure on the neighboring teeth. A bridge is the fastest tooth replacement option, requiring only two to three weeks of lab time for its fabrication.

We typically refer to the removable tooth replacement option as a Partial, which is short for Removable Partial Denture. The advantages of a partial are its low cost and its ability to replace multiple missing teeth on both sides of the mouth. The disadvantages of partials are their inferior cosmetics and lack of comfort. Patients must remove partials at night for cleaning and to “rest” the gum tissues.

How Do I Choose the Right Implant Dentist?

Because dental implants are not a recognized specialty in dentistry, it can be difficult to know which dentist to see for treatment. Oral surgeons, periodontists, and general dentists all place dental implants regularly. There are a few ways that you can know your provider is an expert in dental implants:

• Advanced Technology – When it comes to replacing missing teeth with dental implants, precision is key. At Designer Smiles, we add precision to our dentistry by using advanced technology, like three-dimensional imaging and the X-NavTM guidance system. Our investment in and commitment to these advanced technologies proves our dedication to providing excellent dentistry with implants.
• Education & Experience – Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren both dedicate themselves to abundant amounts of continuing education in the realm of implant dentistry. Their years of experience combined with their excellent education help produce predictable, outstanding results.
• Diversity of Implant Brands – Many implant dentists offer dental implants made by only one manufacturer. This creates a limitation on the variety of available dental implant sizes and shapes. At Designer Smiles, we work with multiple manufacturers of dental implants to remove all limitations and provide the best dental implant in each unique situation. Teeth are not one-size-fits-all, and thus dental implant solutions must be highly customized for patients to achieve optimal fit, function, comfort, longevity, and aesthetics.

Additional Dental Implant FAQs

Do dental implants look natural?

Dental implants are designed to provide natural-looking results for a consistent and revitalized smile. One of the biggest benefits of the restorative treatment is how natural the replacement teeth can appear, feel, and function. With an experienced dentist, your dental implants should be almost indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Although certain insurance companies will at least partially cover your dental implant procedure, others may consider dental implants an elective treatment and will not provide any coverage. If you are unsure whether your plan covers implants, a member of our staff will gladly help you understand your benefits.

How long does dental implant surgery take?

While healing and recovery can take several months, the in-office aspects of the dental implant process are not usually lengthy. You can expect the surgical placement of posts, as well as the procedure in which abutments and crowns are attached, to take about an hour per implant.

Is the dental implant procedure painful?

Throughout the surgical placement of the posts, abutments, and crowns, you will be administered sedation, which should drastically reduce the opportunity for pain. Any post-surgical discomfort can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.

What should I eat after dental implant surgery?

Dental implants should have no long-term impact on what you can and cannot eat; however, it is important to consume only soft foods for the first few days after surgery. Because milk products can be inflammatory and interfere with the surgical sites, you will also be advised to avoid dairy during this time. You can gradually incorporate denser foods, such as oatmeal or mashed bananas, into your diet as you heal.

Can dental implants be bleached?

The short answer: no.

While the shade of dental implants is not likely to change, discoloration is not impossible. Certain food and drinks, like red wine and berries, are more likely to stain replacement and natural teeth than other food items. In those cases, our team at Designer Smiles can provide exceptional cleaning care or offer tooth enhancement options, such as porcelain veneers.

Can I smoke with dental implants?

We highly recommend quitting smoking after you receive dental implants. Smoking can increase the chances of periodontal disease, which can affect the success of implants and the health of your natural teeth and gums. The recovery process can also be impacted by smoking, making the treated areas slower to heal. Additionally, smoking before undergoing dental implants can make you less of an ideal candidate due to weakened gums and tissue, and increase the likelihood of oral complications.

What causes implant failure?

There are certain reasons why dental implants may not be successful. While the procedure typically produces quality and satisfactory results, there are factors that could potentially contribute to possible failure. Some of those reasons include:

• Insufficient jawbone density
• Poor oral hygiene
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Periodontal disease
• Oral infection

When performed by a skilled cosmetic dentist, like our team of dentists at Designer Smiles, dental implant surgery can be an effective tooth loss solution. By following aftercare instructions provided after the procedure, patients will also have a higher likelihood of implant success.