Excellence Through Continuing Education
Ultimately, our goal is to help patients maintain their natural teeth for life, with excellent esthetics and comfortable function. We employ the latest technologies, along with a significant dose of genuine care and compassion, to achieve this goal. However, many people lose teeth to accidents, injury, infection, or gum disease.
A 2002 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth, and 40 million of those individuals have no remaining natural teeth.
Dr. Bilello strongly believes that for qualifying cases, dental implants are the single most beneficial prosthetic to replace lost teeth, whether a single tooth or full dentures.
Why Are Dental Implants Great?
Patients enjoy many benefits with dental implants, including but not limited to:
- Look completely natural!
- Better speech ability than with other prosthetics
- More effective chewing ability
- Jawbone preservation
- Can last a lifetime
- Independently anchored, so no natural, healthy teeth are involved
- Comfort and confidence
Good Implant Candidates
Most people are good candidates for dental implants, and others may need bone grafting or gum disease treatments prior to undergoing the treatment.
If you’re considering implants, schedule a consultation so that Dr. Bilello can determine your candidacy for the procedure. At this appointment, you and the dentist will discuss many topics, from the medications you take to your expectations. Please ask all of your questions so that Dr. Bilello can provide answers and wise counsel. Informed patients make the best decisions!
Excellent dental implant candidates display these characteristics:
- Strong jawbone density
- Good oral health
- No gum disease
- Good oral hygiene habits
- Not smoking or a commitment to quit smoking
- Good overall health
- Desire a lasting solution to lost teeth
- No diabetes
- A healthy immune system
The Process
Dr. Bilello works with a respected local oral surgeon who has an exceptional success record for placing dental implants. This brief oral surgery is required before prosthetic teeth can be fabricated and secured. After implant placement, your mouth will need to heal. Over the course of six to nine months (in most cases), your natural jawbone will integrate with the implant posts to form a solid, reliable foundation for replacement teeth. You can wear a temporary denture during this time.
Our role in dental implant cases is to design and create phenomenal, lifelike teeth. See our case gallery here.
Dental implants can secure:
- A single crown
- A bridge
- A partial denture
- Full dentures
We work with a fantastic dental ceramist who applies his expert skill and takes the time to craft beautiful prosthetics and restorations. Once your mouth is healed and the implants are stable, you’ll return to have the implant heads exposed in preparation for the final step.
Dr. Bilello will attach your prosthetic to the implants and make any necessary adjustments. Though getting used to new teeth is a bit challenging for some patients, you’ll soon be smiling and dining out with confidence!
Schedule Your Appointments Now
Wondering if you’re a candidate for dental implants? Schedule your implant consultation with Dr. Bilello today! Mark Bilello Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Houma, LA, invites you to schedule an appointment now by calling 985-872-9470 or you can schedule online today. We serve residents from many surrounding areas, like Thibodaux, Morgan City, Raceland, and Lockport.