Blog

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth. They are better than removable dentures because they look and feel more like natural teeth. Dental implants also help preserve the bone in the jaw, which helps prevent premature facial aging.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed within the jawbone and directly attached to the gums. A tooth crown is then fitted over the implant to replace the natural tooth root with a prosthetic tooth that looks and feels like a natural one. When a dental implant is placed, the jawbone naturally grows around it to hold it in place. This helps prevent bone loss in the jaw that occurs after a tooth is lost.

Dental implants can be used to support a single dental crown, multiple crowns, or a fixed bridge to replace several teeth at once. Many people choose dental implants over dentures for the added security they bring to your smile. Dentures often shift in the mouth and require adhesive to keep them secure. Many denture wearers also find that their speech is affected when wearing their removable prosthetics. With dental implants, you won’t need to worry about your teeth slipping out of place or your speech being compromised. Plus, they allow you to eat your favorite foods without worry or discomfort because they function just like natural teeth.

To learn more about the benefits of dental implants, contact your dentist today for a consultation.

How effective are dental implants?

When you lose a tooth, you not only lose the visible tooth itself. You also lose out on the root structure that held the tooth in place. These roots stimulate the jawbone when you chew or bite down, and the stimulation keeps the bone healthy. When these roots are removed, the jawbone is no longer stimulated and will begin to deteriorate over time.

Dental implants are small titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone in place of the missing roots. The implants fuse to the jaw during a process called osseointegration. When this happens, the implants are as secure in the mouth as the natural teeth. They will not fall out or loosen when patients eat and speak. Once a patient’s gums have healed fully, small posts are attached to each implant that protrude through the gumline where dental crowns can be attached. This gives patients a complete smile that looks natural and functions fully.

If you’re worried that you’re not a good candidate for dental implants due to bone loss, you should know that this is rarely the case. Bone tissue can grow back in a dental implant patient if the bone has been damaged by gum disease or periodontitis. Your dentist will provide you with a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for an implant and then refer you to an oral surgeon for the surgical part of the procedure.

-Dr. Hansen is a cosmetic dentist located in Los Angeles that offers single dental implants as well as full mouth reconstruction procedures. Contact his practice to make an appointment.

Author Bio: Dr. Kent Hansen is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. After earning his degree in dentistry, he completed a one-year residency program at the VA hospital in Long Beach. Dr. Hansen now runs his own practice in Los Angeles, CA where he specializes in restorative dental procedures like crowns, bridges, fillings, root canal therapy, and more