Dental Implants in Houston, TX

There are various reasons why dental implants are needed, such as aging, a specific oral disease or an accident. Your teeth can become compromised at any stage of life or lost entirely. 

From natural aging processes to injury or disease, there are innumerable circumstances that may leave your smile only half full. These missing teeth can affect your speech and eating abilities, impact your self-confidence, and often interfere with personal and professional relationships and goals. 

It’s a plight you don’t have to spend the rest of your life fighting and hiding from, though. At Pure Prosthodontics, our customized dental implant options can restore your full smile so that you can live your life to the fullest.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root with a screw akin to what a carpentry screw looks like. It’s inserted into your jaw and gums. 

An abutment is used to hold the crown in place, and the new replacement tooth crown is then permanently attached to the implant. The result looks, feels, and operates just like a natural tooth. 

Dental implants typically have three parts:

1. The implant: A screw that serves as a root for your new teeth. This is what permanently attaches to your jaw.
2. The abutment: A permanent, but removable by your doctor, connector that supports and holds a tooth or set of teeth.
3. The crown (prosthetic tooth): The part of the tooth that you can see. It’s usually made of metal/ceramic or porcelain for durability and good looks.

Types of Dental Implant Solutions

Dental implants can be tailored to fit different needs, from replacing a single missing tooth to restoring a full smile. At Pure Prosthodontics, we offer a range of solutions depending on the extent of tooth loss and your overall oral health.

Single Dental Implants

When only one or a few teeth are missing, individual implants provide the most natural and permanent replacement. Each implant acts as an artificial tooth root and supports a crown that restores normal appearance, function, and strength.

Full-Arch Dental Implants (All-on-4 / Teeth in a Day)

For patients with extensive or complete tooth loss, All-on-4 implants — also called “Teeth in a Day” — offer a permanent alternative to dentures. Instead of replacing every tooth with its own implant, four titanium implants are strategically placed in the jaw to support a full arch of new teeth. 

A temporary set of teeth is often placed the same day, allowing you to leave with a functional smile immediately.

Advantages of All-on-4 / Teeth in a Day:

• Cost-Effective:  Replaces an entire arch with fewer implants.
• Efficient: Shorter treatment timeline and recovery compared to multiple single implants.
• Bone-Friendly: Often suitable even for patients with reduced bone density.
• Immediate Confidence: Temporary teeth are provided right away.
• Natural Results: Stable, functional, and more comfortable than dentures.

Conus Overdenture

The Atlantis Conus overdenture is an advanced solution for patients who already wear dentures but want more stability and comfort. Using precision-fitted implant attachments, the denture connects securely while remaining removable for easy cleaning.

Advantages of the Conus Solution:

• Stable and Comfortable: Secure fit improves chewing and speaking.
• More Natural Fit: Reduced denture borders for comfort and appearance.
• Supports Oral Health: Helps maintain bone and facial structure.
• No Adhesives Needed: Eliminates the need for denture glue.
• Removable Design: Easy to clean and maintain.

Locator Fixed Implants

For patients who want more stability than traditional dentures but a more cost-effective option than full-arch fixed bridges, locator fixed implants are an excellent solution. These use special attachments to “snap” a denture securely onto dental implants, offering comfort, stability, and confidence in everyday life.

Advantages of Locator Fixed Implants:

• Secure fit with no slipping or clicking
• Improved chewing ability and comfort
• Removable by the patient for easier cleaning
• More affordable than full fixed implant bridges

The Dental Implant Process

Dental implants are a multi-step treatment, but the process is designed to be straightforward and predictable. Each stage ensures your implant is stable, functional, and built to last.

Consultation and Planning

Your first visit is a comprehensive consultation. X-rays, lab work, or models of your teeth may be taken to evaluate oral health and bone density. From there, Dr. Yepez develops a personalized treatment plan, including any preparatory care you may need before placement.

Preparation and Placement

If a damaged tooth is still present, it will be extracted. In some cases, bone grafting may be required to strengthen the jaw before an implant can be placed. Once the jaw is ready, the titanium implant is surgically inserted into the bone.

A healing period then follows, often lasting several weeks to a few months, while the implant fuses securely with the bone.

Abutment and Crown

After healing is complete, the abutment is attached to the implant. A custom crown is then created and permanently secured in place. This final step restores the look and function of your natural tooth.

What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implantation is a routine oral surgery, but some side effects are normal in the first few days. You may notice temporary swelling of the gums or face, mild bleeding, soreness when chewing, or slight bruising. These symptoms typically improve quickly with proper care.

Most patients are able to return to daily activities within a day or two. However, full healing can take anywhere from 2–8 weeks, depending on your health and whether bone grafting was required. By about three months, the implant is usually ready for normal chewing function.

With a success rate of more than 95 percent, implants are highly predictable and dependable. Following your dentist’s post-operative instructions helps ensure a smooth recovery and long-lasting results.