Dental Implants Are Replacement for Lost Teeth
It is difficult to live with missing teeth, but dental implants offer a solution. Implants improve your ability to chew and help with the overall function of your mouth. They can also enhance your appearance. There are multiple options to replacing teeth, so consider the benefits implants can provide.
Causes of tooth loss
Teeth are the hardest substance in the body. However, this does not mean teeth cannot break or fall out due to accident or injury. A sudden blow to the face by slipping and falling can knock out a tooth. Sports injuries or bike and car accidents can dislodge teeth as well. Also, poor dental health habits may require a dentist to pull out a tooth. Or, a tooth may develop an infection or severe cavity because of neglect. Other problems occur when:
- People fail to brush daily
- People rarely, or never, floss
- People put off regular visits to the dentist
- People eat too many sugary foods
How implants work
Dental implants take the spot of a missing tooth. They consist of three separate parts: the base, or post; the abutment, or connector; and the crown, or artificial tooth. The implant is designed to restore the functionality of the mouth and allow the patient to enjoy a regular diet and regain a full smile. For this treatment, the person does need to have healthy jawbones, though the implant will take the place of the roots. Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or even all of the patient’s teeth.
Detailed process
A prospective patient should realize that getting implants can take several months. The first step is to consult with the dentist to make sure the treatment makes sense for the person’s condition and situation. The dentist may have to pull damaged or decayed teeth before proceeding. A lab technician will create the crown to look like a natural tooth. The dental team will provide the lab with X-rays and molds of the patient’s mouth.
After this initial appointment, the patient will come back to the dental office and undergo the first surgery. After administering a local anesthetic, the dentist will make an incision in the person’s gum and place the titanium alloy post deep into the jaw. It may take several months for the person’s gums to heal and for the bone to fuse to the post. Once this has happened, the dentist will attach the abutment. After more recovery, it will be time to put on the crown. The dentist will make sure the implants are secure and that the patient feels comfortable.
Smile again
You should not have to live with an appearance you do not like. Implants could be the right solution for you. This long-lasting treatment has a long recovery but also offers a natural-looking, secure answer to replacing missing teeth. Call your dentist today so you can start the process of getting these artificial teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://ultimatesmiles.com or call North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry at (760) 940-2273 for an appointment in our Vista office.
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