Request Request Appointment Forms Download Our Forms Like Us Like us on Facebook Reviews Read Our Reviews Call Give us a Call Map View our Map

Dental Implants – Kingwood, TX

Bring Back Your Missing Teeth for Life!

When you lose your teeth, you naturally want replacements that look and feel like the real thing. Traditional dentures often fall short in this regard, but dental implants are designed to resemble your original pearly whites in almost every conceivable way. With dental implants in Kingwood, you can bring back your missing teeth for life, as these artificial tooth roots can support any number of replacement teeth for decades to come. Contact our Kingwood Family Dentistry team today to start your journey to a complete, beautiful, and functional new smile!

dental implants in Kingwood against a dark blue background

Why Choose Kingwood Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?

What Are Dental Implants?

jawbone of a person with dental implants in Kingwood

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is anchored in the jaw, just like the root structure of natural teeth. Titanium is able to fuse with the jawbone, allowing the implant to provide a strong, lasting foundation for a dental crown, bridge, or denture to fill the empty space in your smile. By mimicking nature’s design and replacing teeth from the roots up, dental implants look, feel, and function exactly like real teeth. You will once again be able to eat your favorite foods and smile with confidence!

 

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

dentist showing a patient how dental implants work

For the surgical portion of your dental implant treatment, we’ll refer you to one of our partnered specialists in the area. These oral surgeons and periodontists have performed the procedure countless times before, ensuring our patients will enjoy a comfortable experience and the highest possible quality of care overall. After they’ve embedded the titanium post(s), you’ll need a few months to completely recover and allow your jawbone to grow and fuse to your implant(s). Once your healing period is finished, you’ll come back into our office to have your restorations attached. Keep reading to learn more about how dental implants work in Kingwood.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

dentist explaining how dental implants work in Kingwood

You’ll first need to schedule an initial consultation with our team. During this time, we’ll review your medical history, discuss your smile goals, and assess your oral health to determine if dental implants are the best way to replace your missing teeth. Sometimes patients will need to undergo preliminary procedures before they can continue the implant process, such as bone grafting or gum disease therapy. After we’ve addressed any dental concerns, we’ll develop the rest of your treatment plan and refer you to one of our trusted specialists.

Dental Implant Surgery

dentist performing surgery representing how dental implants work in Kingwood

Getting dental implants placed involves a minor surgical procedure. Firstly, your implant surgeon will completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during your appointment. They’ll then make an incision in your gums so that they can access your jawbone. Your implant will be embedded in the proper position and location before your gums are closed around it. A dental cap will then be fitted over the metal post to shield it and preserve the natural form of your gums, and then you’ll be able to head home so that you can recover.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

illustration of osseointegration representing how dental implants work in Kingwood

Over the following months, your dental implants will go through osseointegration. Your metal posts will be constructed out of biocompatible titanium, allowing them to gradually bond with your jawbone and become part of it. This is the process that will give your new pearly whites the strong, reliable, and natural-feeling foundation they need to restore your bite. Osseointegration normally takes about three to six months to complete. Afterward, you’ll be called into our office so that we can attach a small connector piece atop your implant. Your new restorations will be fabricated as you recover from this step over the next several weeks.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

patient happy with how dental implants work in Kingwood

The final step will be to place your restorations on your dental implants. Our team will fit your custom-designed crown, bridge, or denture to the metal posts via the abutment we placed in the previous appointment. After they’re secured in place, we’ll begin to test your bite to make sure it feels natural and comfortable for you. We’ll also be happy to answer any further questions you may have about your brand-new smile before sending you on your way to enjoy your renewed pearly whites!

Benefits of Dental Implants

woman smiling brightly

If you ask a dentist what the gold standard of tooth replacement is, they’ll answer “dental implants.” Whether it’s to replace one tooth, several teeth in a row, or an entire arch, dental implants offer many advantages that you can’t enjoy with more traditional forms of tooth replacement. Below, you’ll find a list of benefits associated with dental implants; see how your strong, stable new teeth could have a positive impact on your lifestyle, your overall health, and your future.

Day-to-Day Benefits

woman biting into a green apple

While many people feel that traditional dentures prevent them from living life to the fullest, dental implants can help you get the most out of your lifestyle.

  • Better Diet – Because dental implants replace the entire structure of the tooth, they are much more stable than dentures or bridges. This gives them improved strength so that they can be used to chew virtually any food.
  • Improved Confidence – The prosthetic or prosthetics that your implants support will be designed to match the natural appearance of the rest of your face. You also won’t have to worry about your teeth slipping at awkward moments. As such, you can be fully confident in your new grin.
  • Clearer Speech – When dentures slip, they can cause you to slur your words or mutter. Dental implants prevent this from happening, making it easy to have lengthier chats.
  • Easy Oral Hygiene – Dental implants don’t require any particularly special care routine; you can brush and floss them in a similar manner compared to your other teeth.

Health Benefits

senior couple sitting on a park bench

Dental implants tend to benefit your health in ways that dentures and bridges cannot.

  • Jawbone Preservation – Dental implants prevent the bone loss that often occurs after teeth are lost, thus helping maintain the shape and strength of the jaw.
  • Protection for Natural Teeth – By filling in the gaps in your smile with dental implants, you can ensure that your remaining natural teeth will stay in place – no need to worry about them drifting and causing your smile to become crooked.
  • Overall Health – Tooth loss has been linked to a number of systemic diseases. As dental implants closely match the functions of real teeth, they may help lower the risk of such health issues.

Long-Term Benefits

businessman talking on the phone

As time goes by, it will be easier to see the overall impact that dental implants can have compared to other tooth replacements.

  • Longevity – Dental implants have been known to last for 30 years or longer without needing to be replaced. You can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ll be able to rely on your smile for a long time to come.
  • Reliability – The success rate of dental implants after 10 years is as high as 90 to 95 percent, making it a reliable investment for the long term.
  • Cost-Effective Solution – A long lifespan for dental implants means it’s less likely that you’ll have to pay for replacements. You also don’t have to worry about some of the costs associated with traditional forms of tooth replacement, such as cleaning solution for dentures.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

dentist pointing to a model of a dental implant

For patients interested in getting dental implants, the first step is to undergo an exam by Dr. Mosby. After he has confirmed that a patient’s mouth, jawbone, and body are healthy enough to undergo the placement procedure, he can restore the teeth using a variety of restorations:

Missing One Tooth

single dental implant with a crown on it

An all-porcelain crown can be connected to a single dental implant root via a small screw called an abutment, and this can be positioned between two healthy teeth without disturbing them at all.

Missing Multiple Teeth

two dental implants supporting a dental bridge

Rather than using individual implants to restore multiple teeth, prosthetics like bridges and partial dentures can be secured to the jawbone using a small number of roots. These prosthetics are fixed and tend to have a more natural appearance compared to traditional ones.

Missing All of Your Teeth

six dental implants supporting a full denture

Even patients missing all of their teeth can benefit from dental implants. If you have a denture that just won’t stay in place, four to six implants can be used to anchor it to your jawbone. We can even create a brand-new denture if needed, and it will help you have a bite just as strong as when you had your real teeth.

<Learn More About Implant Dentures>

All-on-Four

All-on-4 implant denture

With All-on-4 dental implants, we’re able to place four posts into a patient’s mouth and immediately connect them to a full denture to restore an entire row of missing teeth in a single appointment. The posts are positioned in specific locations along the jawbone where it is naturally thicker so they can provide supreme stability.

Learn More About All-on-4

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

fake tooth next to a jar of coins

Every dental implant treatment provided by Dr. Mosby is personalized based on the needs of the patient, meaning the cost of treatment always varies from person to person. The type and number of implants needed, the kind of restoration used, and whether or not any preparatory procedures are necessary (such as periodontal therapy or a bone graft) can all influence the final price. While implants can be a sizeable investment, they are one that is intended to last for decades, far exceeding traditional prosthetics that have to be replaced every five to seven years on average. In fact, thanks to their low maintenance, most implant patients end up saving thousands on their new teeth in the long run.

Types of Dental Implants

dental implant post, abutment, and crown

There are several different types of implant-supported restorations that can impact the cost of your treatment. These include:

  • Single Implant with a Crown – For one missing tooth, we can place a single dental implant below the gums to secure a customized dental crown. This will fill the gap and reduce your risk of developing oral health problems and misalignment issues down the road.
  • Implant Bridge – Instead of having to alter your existing teeth like you would need to with a traditional dental bridge, we can place two dental implants below the gums on either side of the gap in your smile. These will hold your customized dental bridge securely in place without affecting the health of surrounding teeth.
  • Implant Denture – To restore an entire arch of teeth, we can place anywhere from four to eight dental implants along it. These will anchor the customized denture, eliminating the need for denture adhesive and preventing slipping and shifting restorations.

The Stages of Dental Implant Treatment

senior woman looking at her smile in a mirror

There are different steps of the dental implant process that take place over the course of several months. You won’t have to pay for them all up-front, instead, you can easily budget for each separate stage that incurs a fee, including:

  • The initial consultation
  • The implant placement surgery
  • Abutment placement
  • Crafting and placing the restoration

Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

dental team member showing paperwork to two patients

Unfortunately, dental insurance providers typically don’t cover the cost of the implant procedure due to the fact that they consider it a “cosmetic” treatment still. However, this is beginning to change, so it’s a good idea to still reach out and find out if your benefits extend to cover a portion of the process. If not, we also offer easy additional financing through CareCredit.

Dental Implant Failure & Salvage

a patient holding cheek due to dental implant failure

Dental implants offer one of the most comprehensive solutions for rebuilding missing teeth, and they come with a success rate of 95% or higher. That said, it doesn’t mean they don’t have any risk of complications or failure. Should you notice anything uncomfortable in your smile or have concerns about your titanium posts, make sure to give us a call for help. We can offer dental implant salvage treatment to get your restoration back on track!

Learn More

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

woman smiling at her dental checkup

Once your dental implants are firmly in place, the next step to ensuring a longer-lasting smile is knowing how to properly care for and maintain them. At Kingwood Family Dentistry, Dr. Scott Mosby will provide helpful tips and recommendations that are designed to safeguard your new smile and allow for greater oral health as you move through life. Choosing to replace your missing teeth is an investment in time and money, so knowing and understanding proper dental implant care in Kingwood can make a dramatic difference in the lifespan of your dental implants. To help you take the next step, review the following tips to ensure the health and safety of your smile.

Making Oral Hygiene a Priority

man brushing his teeth

One of the quickest ways to watch your dental implants fail is to neglect your oral hygiene routine. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are effective ways to rid your smile of bacteria, plaque, and harmful acids that can cause decay, gum disease, and bad breath. While your implants cannot develop cavities, your natural, healthy teeth can. Not to mention, your gums are a vital component to the success of your smile in its entirety. Reducing your risk for common oral dental problems will ensure the longevity of both your real teeth and dental implants, allowing you to maintain a healthier, more beautiful smile.

Eating a Healthy Diet

woman eating a salad

Everyone enjoys a piece of candy or cookie now and then, but if these become a prominent staple in your diet, you could be looking at the potential for implant failure. Too much sugar and starch can attack your tooth enamel and soft oral tissues, resulting in cavities for your real teeth and gum disease that can cause bone and tooth loss as well as loosening implants. To avoid this problem, make sure your diet is full of nutritious foods, including leafy greens, fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins.

Breaking Bad Habits

woman nervously biting her fingernails

Nail-biting, eating ice, using your teeth as tools, chewing on pens and pencils, and smoking are all bad habits that can spell disaster for your dental implants in Kingwood. Choosing to not give them up can not only cause damage to your healthy teeth but also lead to gum recession and potential implant breakage. Not only will this end up requiring more time spent in the dentist’s chair, but you’ll be forced to spend more money to fix a preventable problem. If you are tempted by your bad habits, try chewing on sugar-free gum or attending a cessation support group to help you quit smoking.

Protecting Your Dental Implants

blue mouthguard in a person’s hand

A customized mouthguard can be a great way to protect your new dental implants. Whether you enjoy playing contact sports or are prone to grinding your teeth while you sleep, this customized oral device can safeguard your real and artificial pearly whites from any potential damage caused by a hard hit or your adjacent teeth. They are also designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, unlike a “one-size-fits-all” solution you might find at your local drugstore.

Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups

woman at her dental checkup

Continuing to see your implant dentist in Kingwood is one of the most helpful ways to extend the lifespan of your dental implants. No matter how many regular teeth remain, these visits will be beneficial in making sure there are no signs of tooth decay or gum disease developing, and you have no breaks, chips, or cracks in your dental implants. By making sure your prosthetics and restorations are working correctly and providing you with the best possible outcome, you can continue to live your best life with a new and improved smile.

Dental Implant FAQs

senior man sitting in the dental chair

At Kingwood Family Dentistry, Dr. Scott Mosby often recommends dental implants after tooth loss because of the many benefits they provide. However, we know that it’s a big decision to make, so we’ve compiled answers below to the dental implant FAQs we hear most often. But feel free to contact us anytime with additional questions. We’ve helped countless patients achieve great oral health after tooth loss, and we’d love to help you too!

Does Dental Implant Surgery Hurt and Will I Need Sedation?

Many people assume that getting dental implants is painful, but the procedure is easier than you would expect. In fact, if you’ve ever had a tooth extracted, you can expect a similar level of discomfort. And, just like an extraction, the first step is fully numbing the area to be worked on.

Also, while many people do just fine without sedation, it’s always an option! Dr. Mosby offers three different types of sedation to fit everyone’s needs, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation (for which he partners with a licensed anesthesiologist). His goal is to make sure every patient can get the dental work they need as comfortably as possible. 

What Is the Recovery Process Like After Getting Dental Implants?

We often recommend taking one or two days off work because, while the procedure is only a minor surgery, some discomfort afterward is to be expected. Fortunately, however, it’s fairly mild and gets better with each passing day (typically lasting a total of several days to a week). Also, over-the-counter pain medication is usually all that’s necessary to manage any swelling and tenderness.

Can I Wait to Get a Dental Implant After Losing a Tooth?

When you get a dental implant is always up to you. However, just be aware that you’ll begin losing bone density in your jaw over time in the area where your tooth once was. This doesn’t mean you won’t be a candidate for implants, but you may need a bone graft to strengthen your jaw before having an implant placed down the road.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

The long-term success rate for dental implants in non-smokers is over 95% (that drops to 85% in smokers, so it’s always recommended to quit using tobacco beforehand). To reduce the risk of failure even further, use the following tips to maintain your implants:

  • Keep up with your oral hygiene – Implants can’t get cavities, but they can fail if the surrounding gum tissue doesn’t stay clean and healthy. To prevent inflammation, it’s crucial to do well with your brushing and flossing habits. Brush at least twice a day, making sure to gently work the bristles in around the implant, and floss once.
  • Get regular checkups and cleanings – See Dr. Mosby for regular checkups so he can find and treat any problems before they lead to failure. And, along with good habits at home, professional cleanings are also important to keep the gum tissue healthy.
  • If necessary, wear a nightguard – Clenching and grinding is very common. Over time, the chronic pressure and force puts your natural teeth and dental implants at risk. To protect everything, wear a custom-made nightguard as needed.
More to Explore

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I Want Completely Healthy Gums I am in Pain/Had an Accident I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I Would Like a Straighter Smile I am Nervous/Afraid of the Dentist View Our Services