When it comes to most forms of restorative and prosthetic dental work, the best options are often those that most closely mimic your healthy, natural tooth structure. The goal isn’t just to address a problem, but to do so in a way that preserves or improves the overall function and appearance of your smile. If you’ve lost one or more teeth, then that realism is even more important, as the loss can have a dramatic effect on several different aspects of your oral health. At our Newhall, CA, dental office, we often recommend dental implants as the best replacements for lost teeth due their unique ability to mimic the complete structures of your teeth – including their roots.
How a dental implant works
A dental implant is the general term for a three-part dental prosthesis that includes one or more root-like posts, a corresponding number of abutments, and a custom-designed restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture). The post or posts are implanted into the jawbone, replacing the roots of the teeth that once rested there. After 4-6 months, when the jawbone has healed, abutments are connected to the posts and situated to extend just above the gums. We can then secure your custom restoration to the abutments and posts, securing your new teeth in place with the same comfort and stability as your healthy, natural teeth.
What this means for your oral health
The ability to keep your dental crown, bridge, or denture in place without needing external support, such as hidden clasps or adjoined dental crowns, offers a myriad of benefits. For example, dental implants eliminate the need to modify healthy tooth structure to secure a traditional bridge, or the use of clasps to hold a partial denture steady. Instead, they offer your replacement the teeth anchored support that mimics the way healthy roots anchor your natural teeth, creating a sturdier and more comfortable solution than would be possible with more traditional solutions.
Why most people qualify for implants
Like most dental prostheses, dental implants are appropriate for a large percentage of tooth loss patients. The posts are biocompatible, meaning your jawbone structure accepts them and bonds to their surfaces as it heals. However, before recommending implant placement, we’ll thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, jawbone, and oral structures to ensure that no complications are present. For instance, the presence of gum disease can compromise the healing process, as well as the long-term success of your dental implant posts. Therefore, you may require personalized treatment for gum disease before your dental implant posts can be inserted.
Do more for your smile with dental implants
After losing teeth, how you choose to replace them can have long-lasting effects on your oral health. For more information about why dental implants are often the best tooth replacements, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.