Exploring the Benefits of Dental Implants

Exploring the Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental Implants Offer Somis and Camarillo Residents Cosmetic Benefits Today, Long-Term Dental Health Benefits Tomorrow

When it comes to replacing a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants are the only option that does not require changes to your surrounding teeth, encourages jawbone growth and is sturdy. Dental implants have been used to replace missing teeth for several decades, and a growing number of patients rely on dental implants each year to smile without gaps in their teeth. Dental Implants
 
The decision to place a dental implant is often focused on the immediate results. Eliminating a gap in your smile can provide a quick self-confidence boost. Also, the dental implant can make it easier to eat and speak as compared to a denture that can slip out of place.
 

Exploring the Benefits of Dental Implants

Many of my Camarillo patients opt for dental implants not only because of these immediate benefits, but also due to the long-term ones. This can make for many compelling reasons to select dental implants as tooth replacement options.
 
The premise of the dental implant is to place a titanium, screw-like implant that acts much like your tooth’s root. Titanium is a unique material often utilized for dental services because it is lightweight and bone fuses around it, meaning it is usually well-tolerated in the jawbone. Once the bone has healed around the implant, a connector known as an abutment is placed over the implant. Following that is the application of a custom-made crown to complete your smile’s appearance.
 
While your crown can be replaced or “restored” if it appears discolored or you injure the tooth, the dental implant is always a permanent fixture. This means I can easily replace the implant’s crown at a later date, if my Camarillo, CA implant dentistry patient so desires. However, you do not have to go in and have further dental work or require the implant to be replaced. This is different from dental bridges, which require replacement every 10 years and can require further dental work to support the bridge.
 
Another long-term benefit to dental implants is jawbone retention and even growth. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone where the area was starts to recede or go away. The effect is known as bone resorption. This has a number of effects on your smile, including causing your teeth to shift in place. If you have lost several teeth, this can cause a condition known as “facial collapse” that makes your face appear more hollow and adjust the overall appearance of your face. Dental implants can prevent facial structure collapse, but other tooth replacement options, such as bridges and dentures, do not offer this benefit.
 
If you have already experienced jawbone resorption after tooth loss, you may require procedures to increase the amount of bone in your jaw. This is known as bone grafting. Once you have enough bone in your jaw to support dental implant placement, the bone will remain if the dental implant is successful. Dental implants do have a high rate of success -- about 85 percent after 10 years, according to a study in the Journal of Oral Implantology.
 
To learn if you would be a good candidate for dental implants, call our Camarillo, CA dentist office to schedule a dental implant consultation.