When you have damaged or missing teeth, you need a replacement tooth option that functions just like your natural teeth. Dental implants can help your replacement tooth or teeth function like your natural tooth. Implants function similarly to your tooth root, providing a solid foundation for your tooth restoration.
At Broadway Dental of Pearland, we provide dental implant services, ranging from a single tooth replacement to a full arch replacement. With dental implants, your new replacement tooth will function as naturally as the rest of your smile.
Discover more about the advantages of dental implants or call today to set up an appointment.
What You Need to Know about Dental Implants
Dental implants are a tooth root replacement method that mimics the way natural teeth roots work. The dental implant and restoration treatment involves two major steps: placing the implant post and adding the replacement tooth.
First, the dentist will place the dental implant itself, which is a titanium post and abutment. The post is placed into your jaw and assimilates with the existing bone.
Once healed, it functions like a natural tooth root and creates a strong foundation for the replacement tooth. The abutment is a small connector piece on top of the post that will connect the replacement tooth to the implant.
After the implant is fully healed, a replacement tooth is attached to the abutment. The replacement tooth is often a dental crown. The crown is matched to the exact shade of your remaining teeth, so it blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Our office offers more than crowns though. We can replace several teeth using a couple of implants.
Enhance Your Oral Health
Dental implants do more than just replace missing teeth—they actively contribute to better oral health. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Implants act like natural tooth roots, stimulating the bone and preventing bone loss. They also help maintain proper spacing between teeth, preventing neighboring teeth from shifting out of alignment. Unlike traditional bridges, implants don’t rely on surrounding teeth for support, preserving their integrity. By restoring both function and stability, implants help you maintain a healthier, stronger smile for years to come.
Dental Implant Steps
The steps of the dental implant procedure vary depending on how many implants you need. However, the basic structure is the same and includes placing the implant post, allowing it to heal, and then attaching the restoration (or replacement tooth).
If you have questions about the process, give us a call. You can also learn the overall dental implant process below:
Preparing for the Procedure
You will visit Dr. Allouch for a consultation, where you can learn about all of your options. On the day of the appointment, Dr. Allouch will numb your gums using local anesthesia or put you to sleep using IV sedation with the supervision of a nurse anesthesiologist. If requested, you’ll also receive other sedation options or any other accommodations.
Placing the Dental Implant
Then, he will make a small incision to place the implant post into the gums. Dr. Allouch will use specialized instruments to make enough room for the implant. Next, he will place the implant into your jaw and close the incision.
Allowing the Implant to Heal
After the implant is placed, it needs time to heal properly. The implant needs to fuse completely to your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Generally, it takes around three to six months but full healing can be longer for some patients. You’ll likely receive a temporary restoration during the healing period.
Attaching the Restoration
When the implant post heals, Dr. Allouch will attach the abutment, a small connection piece, to the implant post. He will then prepare the dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, and attach it to the abutment. You may need to wait for the gums around the implant to heal after having the abutment attached to the implant.
OUR DENTAL IMPLANT SERVICES
At Broadway Dental of Pearland, we offer many different dental implant options to suit our patient’s needs. So, whether you need one new tooth or to replace all of your teeth, dental implants are a durable foundation for your new smile.
Here are our dental implant options:
INDIVIDUAL DENTAL IMPLANTS
When you have one damaged or missing tooth, an individual dental implant will replace the missing tooth root. With single dental implants, the process is rather straightforward.
If you have damaged or missing teeth in various locations around your mouth, getting an individual dental implant for each tooth can help restore your smile’s functionality.
Dr. Allouch is an experienced prosthodontist who commonly places dental implants. Single dental implants are the most common type of implant procedure and work well for adults of all ages. If you have issues with a tooth, a dental implant can restore the tooth, likely for the rest of your lifetime.
IMPLANT BRIDGES
When you are missing a few teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is a durable, aesthetically pleasing way to replace your teeth. You’ll receive one to two dental implants that support the bridge, which is then placed on the implants to bridge at least two teeth.
This method can be much more effective and less time-consuming than receiving multiple single implants. While Dr. Allouch offers traditional dental bridges, implant bridges are often more secure and longer-lasting. They are particularly beneficial for patients who want to enhance the look of their smile without the need to replace traditional bridges throughout their lifetime.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES
If you are missing multiple teeth, an implant-supported denture may be the best option. With implant-supported dentures or snap-on dentures, you can have a full arch or entire mouth of new teeth with only a few dental implants.
Implant-supported dentures also look and work much more like natural teeth than traditional dentures. Because dental implants provide a secure foundation that works similarly to natural tooth roots, you can eat, chew, and speak naturally and won’t have to deal with some of the discomforts of traditional dentures.
At Broadway Dental of Pearland, we provide All-on-X implant dentures. This means that you can get either an entire arch or an entire mouth of new teeth with just a few implants. Most of the time, you’ll need 4–6 implants to support an arch. You can receive this treatment for your entire smile or just one arch of teeth.
Dr. Allouch provides a couple of different options for implant support dentures:
- Removable implant dentures: Removable dentures attach to the dental implants tightly, snapping on around the abutment. You can remove overdenture if you need to for cleaning or for sleeping.
- Permanent implant dentures: Permanent dentures also attach the overdenture to the dental implant. However, they can’t be removed. They can only be taken off by a dentist.
Dr. Allouch will work with you to find the right type of implant-supported dentures for your oral health. With implant dentures, you can restore your entire smile with a handful of dental implants, allowing you to have improved aesthetics and function.
Implants: A Permanent Solution
How Implants Work
Why Choose Broadway Dental of Pearland for Dental Implants
While Dr. Andrew Allouch also offers general dentistry services, he specializes in prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Prosthodontics is all about restoring missing teeth using dental appliances, such as bridges and implants. As such, he has years of experience placing dental implants of all kinds. His experience means that he can handle your case, whether it’s simple or complex.
Because of his experience in cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Allouch also ensures your dental implants look as natural as possible. While function and comfort are key, you also deserve a smile that looks great. He will ensure you’re satisfied with the results and that you feel confident sharing your pearly whites with the world.
Sedation Dentistry & Accommodations
Dental implants are slightly more intense than some other dental procedures. We realize you may feel anxious about the process, so we offer sedation dentistry options. Some people benefit from sedation dentistry because of dental anxieties, while others just need a little help to relax during longer treatments.
We provide nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation. Nitrous oxide is a lighter option, and you can drive yourself home after the appointment unless otherwise instructed. Oral conscious sedation requires someone to take you to and from your visit and makes many patients fall asleep. However, with both options, you’ll still be fully conscious and can be woken up easily.
Along with sedation dentistry, Dr. Allouch and the entire team work hard to ensure your comfort. If there’s anything we can do to help you relax during an implant visit, please let us know. We can often assist with things like keeping the office quieter or offering blankets.
Some more examples of our accommodations include:
- Warm towels
- Pillows
- Earplugs
- Netflix
- Coffee and other beverages
We want you to have a good experience with us, so please utilize some or all of these options if you need them.
Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
Have specific questions about dental implants and if they’re right for you? You can get answers to all your questions by contacting our office. You can also learn some more information in our FAQ below:
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
The recovery timeline is slightly different for each patient, but generally, you can expect it to look something like this:
- The first few days after surgery: Initially, you may have some pain and swelling. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers and any other medications prescribed by Dr. Allouch. During this time, eat soft foods and avoid exerting yourself too much.
- Up to a week after receiving implants: After about three days, you can start eating firmer foods but still avoid anything crunchy or too hard. You should avoid brushing the implant site for at least a week.
- One to two weeks after dental implants: You’ll make a follow-up visit where Dr. Allouch will assess your healing. You can likely start eating normally again.
Most patients recover after two weeks but may still notice tenderness at the implant site. This is normal. Your body will continue to heal over the next few months, but most patients can resume all their normal activities after a couple of weeks.
After your treatment, Dr. Allouch and the team will discuss the recovery process and give you detailed instructions on how to care for your mouth after dental implant placement.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost of dental implants varies depending on many factors. While the initial cost may be a bit more expensive than some other treatments, the longer-term cost is often cheaper.
Since dental implants last a lifetime for most people, you won’t need to receive multiple restorations. Dental implants also restore your smile and prevent other costly and painful dental issues. If you have missing teeth, they keep your smile from shifting, preventing orthodontic treatment. Dental implants also restore the aesthetics of your smile, which makes a big difference to your self-esteem.
The Broadway Dental of Pearland team will discuss payment options with you. We want you to receive the restorative dentistry services you need.
Call for an Appointment
Whether you have one missing tooth or need implant dentures, dental implants can help restore the functionality of your smile. After receiving dental implants, you can live your life without the issues that damaged or missing teeth can cause.
You may wonder if dental implants are right for you, and we can help with that. When you book an appointment at our Pearland office, Dr. Allouch will talk about treatment options with you and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Reach out to our office to schedule a consultation.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Allouch earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He continues his advanced training at the Kois Center in Seattle, WA, which focuses on research-based education. He is part of the elite 6% of general dentists in the U.S. to earn a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, and he holds an Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Allouch specializes in Comprehensive and Implant Dentistry and in enhancing patients’ total health.
