What are Dental Implants?

Modern implants in Conroe are made out of a biocompatible, hypoallergenic metal called titanium. Titanium is also used in surgical joint procedures such as knee and hip replacement, because of how it interacts with the body.

The overall design of our implants in Conroe mimics the size and shape of natural tooth roots. That way when they’re installed, the benefits of dental implants are to function as if they were part of your “real” smile. Each implant stands independently and becomes a permanent part of your bite.

Benefits of Dental Implants Conroe

One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is how titanium encourages a process that’s called osseointegration. Essentially, the bone in your mouth reacts to the titanium and builds a new layer of the osseous (bony) structure that then fuses to the ribbed surface of your new implant. After this process is completed, the implant isn’t going anywhere. Benefits of dental implant integration make your investment one that can potentially last for the rest of your life!

Are Computers Used to Install Implants?

Placing dental implants used to be a more complex process only reserved for the most experienced specialists. But today, we have technology that allows our Conroe implants to be planned and placed using state-of-the-art imaging. Everything is done digitally leading up to the surgery so that the actual installation of your implant is streamlined and predictable.

Dental implant computers make it possible to provide treatment to a more diverse group of individuals, including those who might have been told in the past that they don’t qualify for dental implant treatment. Conroe implant computers give us a three-dimensional tool to evaluate multiple aspects of your oral anatomy and virtually “place” each implant during the planning process to decide which location, angle, and depth is best.

3D Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Conroe implants no longer require two-dimensional X-rays and guesswork to install. Today, we have 3D CT scanning that shows us all of your internal oral, bony, and soft tissue anatomy for a comprehensive analysis of your implant needs.

In turn, we can use this imaging to create a customized, printed guide where the implants slide right into place at the time of your procedure. Conroe implants placed with a 3D guide require less surgical time and minimize post-operative discomfort for our patients. That way you’ll feel back to yourself sooner than ever before.

If your cosmetic dentist told you that you don’t qualify for dental implants, but they don’t have a 3D CT machine, you owe it to yourself to get a second opinion. Since our Conroe implant specialist uses three-dimensional imaging, we have an added advantage when it comes to evaluating what’s going on inside of your mouth!

Am I Too Old for Implants?

As long as you’re healthy and have enough bone in your mouth, you’re never too old to get dental implants! Conroe implant patients we see often include older retirees who want a permanent alternative to replacing their removable dentures

How Many Dental Implants Do I Need?

Conroe dental implants are stronger than natural teeth. Titanium can support the weight of multiple teeth. Even though tooth enamel is the strongest and hardest substance in the entire human body, titanium surpasses it by far.

What that means for Conroe implant patients is that we can use pairs or sets of implants to anchor multi-tooth restorations such as crowns or bridges. For 3-4 missing teeth, you might only need two implants total (one on either end of a bridge). And for a full arch in your upper or lower jaw? The minimum number of implants that we would use would be at least four, but you wouldn’t usually need more than 5-6.

Age Requirements for Dental Implants

Conroe implants are for adults only. So, if you have a teen with a missing tooth but they’re still growing, they’ll need to wait a few more years. Usually, the youngest recommended age for implant treatment is a minimum of 18 years old. 

Installing a dental implant on a teenager is risky because their mouths are still growing. You wouldn’t want to have facial bones still developing and forming around a fixed restoration, then have it look out of place or alter their oral function and speech.