Missing teeth create several problems. Smile aesthetics suffer (particularly with an absent front tooth) and your overall oral 
health and function decline due to shifting teeth, poor biting and chewing, and fast deterioration of bone and gum tissues. Dr. Scott Bianchi at Dove Canyon Dental, located in Dove Canyon, CA, uses dental implants to replace teeth lost to accident, decay, and periodontitis. Read on to learn more about how implants improve your appearance and keep your gums and bone strong!
The details on dental implants
Truly a medical marvel, the single-tooth dental implant lives right in the jaw bone. Exercised with biting and chewing, the implant device actually increases bone density and size. Traditional bridgework and dentures cannot accomplish this.
How does this bone-building phenomenon happen? It happens through osseointegration, the process through which human bone naturally fuses to the titanium metal dental implant. After the site heals, Dr. Bianchi attaches an extension post and custom-crafted porcelain crown to it in order to complete the implant treatment.
With routine oral hygiene at home and six-month examinations and cleanings with your Dove Canyon, CA, dentist, your dental implant should last indefinitely, says the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. However, smoking endangers implant sites; so tobacco cessation is definitely encouraged. Also, just as with your natural teeth, protect your implant with a bite guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
Are you a good candidate?
Only your dentist can tell you for sure through a careful examination, which includes X-rays and three-dimensional scans of your bone structure. To qualify, you must have:
- Enough bone in your jaw to support the implant
- Healthy gums
- Good overall health (uncontrolled blood sugars or immuno-deficiencies disqualify some patients)
Also, you can receive dental implants if you are missing two, three, or more teeth in a row, or even if you must replace an entire arch. In this case, your dentist will anchor the bridges or dentures with multiple dental implants, giving you excellent stability and the bone-building benefits of titanium.
Find out more
Why wait? If you have smile gaps or anticipate dental extractions, now is the time to plan tooth replacement with modern dental implants. Call today to arrange your personal consultation with Dr. Bianchi: (949) 589-4100.
