Dental Implants: The Gold Standard in Tooth Replacement

A missing tooth has a profound impact on a person’s life. If you’re missing one or more teeth, you know how it has affected your smile. Equally concerning, missing teeth can also make a difference in how well you chew your food or speak clearly. One of the most high-tech solutions for replacing a lost tooth is dental implants. What’s involved with getting a tooth implant? Let’s dive in and learn more about how dental implants work and how they can change your life for the better.

Dental Implants Explained

Technically, a dental implant is an artificial tooth that replaces your missing teeth. A single implant replaces one tooth. These medical devices are surgically implanted into the jawbone, usually restoring a person’s appearance or chewing ability. If you’re missing more than one tooth, multiple dental implants can serve as support for bridges, crowns, or dentures.

Components of a Dental Implant

There are three parts to a dental implant:

• Titanium screw: Your dentist implants a titanium screw directly into your jawbone. The screw slowly fuses with the bone to become a part of your jaw’s structure. 
• Abutment: The abutment sits on top of the screw. 
• Crown: The dental implant process is completed with a porcelain crown that matches the shape and color of your natural teeth. 

Benefits of Dental Implants

If you’re missing a tooth that’s visible in your smile, the first benefit you’ll enjoy is smile restoration. Also important is that an implant acts nearly identically to your natural tooth. However, with dental implants, you can also enjoy all of these benefits:

• Restored chewing ability.
• Comfortable and natural.
• Improved cosmetic appearance.
• Helps prevent the jawbone from shrinking because of bone loss.
• Stabilizes adjacent teeth.
• Helps preserve the health of the gums and surrounding bone.
• Reduced cavity risk in remaining natural teeth.
• Less sensitivity in nearby teeth.
• A permanent solution; no need to remove them for cleaning or sleeping.

A Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Most people with one or more missing teeth may be good candidates for dental implants. Your overall health is a determining factor and can affect how long the healing process will take. Also, your health can affect how long an implant will stay in place. People considering implants need to have sufficient jawbone to support the structure. If you don’t have enough healthy bone in the jaw, your dentist will need to do a bone graft before implants can be placed. 

Easy Maintenance and No Decay

Taking care of your dental implants is easy. Simply continue practicing good oral care by brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day. Because dental implants are created using material that doesn’t decay, you never have to worry about a cavity in an implant tooth. 

Finding Good Dental Implants in San Diego, CA

Do you have questions about how dental implants can restore your smile and tooth functionality? Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos and the team at All Coast Dental in San Diego, California, are here to answer your questions and help you restore your natural, youthful smile. Call us today at (858) 264-3002 or use our online form to request an appointment.