Dental implants are among the cosmetic dental services that might be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. They are also the only teeth replacement options that prevent the bone tissue loss that can take place when teeth and their roots fall out.
Bone tissues in the jaw get stimulated by teeth roots when you chew on food. They lose this stimulation when a tooth falls out, since its root comes out with it. Implants replace the lost root, and a restoration like a crown is attached to it. When you bite down with the crown, bite forces are transferred via the implant into the jaw, keeping the bone tissues there healthy.
Implants look and feel like real teeth, making them one of the most popular teeth replacement options. They also keep the bone tissues in the jaw healthy. Implants are the only cosmetic dental services options that replace missing teeth roots.
Implants are typically made out of titanium, and they are surgically inserted into the jawbone. This requires minor oral surgery because the dentist might need to cut into the patient’s gum tissues to reach their jawbone.
People with immune system disorders that can hinder their recovery are evaluated individually. Using tobacco products or regularly consuming alcohol also slows down recovery after surgery.
People who have lived with missing teeth for a while might have lost significant bone tissues in their jaw. Such patients might need to get bone grafts before they can proceed with implants. They also need to be fully recovered from the grafting procedure to commence with implant surgery.
Placing an implant in a patient’s jaw starts with the dentist administering a local anesthetic. This numbs the area being worked on so the patient does not feel significant pain. An incision is then made into the patient’s gums to expose their jawbone.
A hole is drilled into the jawbone and the implant is inserted into it. The hole is barely big enough to fit the implant, so its sides hold it in place. The oral prosthetic will fuse with bone tissues around it over the next six months in a process called osseointegration.
Once the implant is stable in the patient’s jaw, a restoration like a crown, bridge, or dentures are attached to it.
The benefits of replacing missing teeth with implants include:
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Request an appointment or call Julie A. Hemingway, D.D.S. at 805-409-2358 for an appointment in our Santa Barbara office.
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