Missing Teeth Options in Houston, TX

Treatment Alternatives For Missing Teeth

Anytime a tooth is lost you as the patient have four options to consider in the site or gap.

Option 1:  Do Nothing

If you choose to do nothing, it is important to know that your jawbone will shrink. Its mass will resorb or simply decrease in size due to the lack of stimulation that is normally provided by the teeth you have lost. In addition, the remaining teeth are likely to shift and move in unpredictable directions when there are gaps and no neighboring teeth to help keep them in place. This can lead to crowding as well as potential bite problems.

Option 2:  Fixed Bridge

A fixed bridge involves using the teeth adjacent to the empty space as pillars to support the missing teeth. The result is fixed, stable teeth. This is a treatment performed by your dentist. The main disadvantage, however, lies in the fact that your dentist will have to grind down your healthy teeth to support the bridge. In addition, this fixed prosthesis is difficult to clean as you cannot floss in between the newly attached teeth..

Option 3:  Removable Partial or Denture

This is a quick and affordable way to solve the problem of a missing tooth. However, the main drawback is that the teeth are removable, so they must be taken in and out, especially at night. Partials tend to be bulky and uncomfortable, and they have the tendency to loosen over time. Another major disadvantage is that they rest on top of the gums rather than inside and, therefore, speed up the resorption and deterioration of the remaining bone.

Ready to Replace Your Missing Teeth?

Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment!

Call us: 713-457-6337

Option 4:  Dental Implants

Why Dental Implants?

Dental Implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement because they are the closest option to natural teeth, both functionally and aesthetically. The most comfortable and permanent solution, they help preserve facial structures and prevent bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are lost. Implants are placed inside the bone, preserving the integrity and contour of the jaws and preventing bone resorption. This also preserves the health of the adjacent teeth and gum tissues, allowing the patient to feel and look as if they have their natural teeth.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

The answer is YES.  If you have at least one missing tooth, then YOU ARE a candidate for dental implants!

Implants require only two things:

Very few medical and dental conditions make a person not suitable for implant surgery. If you are considering implants, your mouth must be thoroughly examined and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, you may simply require a bone graft. If for some other reason a dental implant is not the right choice for you, Dr. Dieter J. Moya or Dr. Blake D. Maida offer several treatment alternatives which provide optimal outcomes.

Have Further Questions?

Call us with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Call us: 713-457-6337