How dental implants work to restore the smile
- Posted on: Sep 15 2020
At the practice of Dr. Paul Covell, patients of the Pasadena, TX area can ask about a wide range of tooth replacement options available. In addition to traditional dentures and dental bridges, our team provides dental implants, which are a commonly requested solution to missing teeth. Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement, and continues to be a popular choice due to the many benefits they provide.
Understanding dental implants
The dental implant itself is a titanium post. Dr. Paul Covell places this post into the bone of the jaw during oral surgery. In doing so, it stimulates the body’s natural growth of bone through osseintegration. Osseointegration is the growth of bone around the dental implant that helps stabilize it and allow it to be the best foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. The versatility of dental implants is what makes them an obvious choice for adult patients seeking a permanent tooth replacement option.
How are dental implants used?
Implants are versatile and can be used in several different ways:
- Replacing one tooth. The most common way in which a dental implant is used is to replace a single tooth in the mouth. The implant acts as the natural tooth root and is placed where the previous tooth remained. The abutment of the implant is then covered with a dental crown that is made to match the patient’s existing teeth.
- Replacing several teeth in a row. When patients are missing two or more teeth in a row within the dental arch, dental bridges are a popular solution. However, some patients do not have adjacent teeth available to support the dental bridge. This is when a dental implant may be placed on one or both sides to provide a way of anchoring it in place.
- Replacing the entire arch of teeth. Instead of using conventional full dentures to replace the upper and/or lower arch of teeth, dental implants can be used to anchor an alternative implant-retained denture that is easier to adjust to and more permanent.
Are you interested in finding out if you are a good candidate for dental implants?
Contact Dr. Paul Covell and his team in Pasadena, TX to discuss your options. The practice can be reached by calling (713) 943-9832 and is conveniently located at 4010 Vista Road. The facility is open to new and current patients, and continues to provide the latest solutions in general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care.
Posted in: Dental Implants