If you’re missing one, several, or even all of your teeth, you can replace them permanently using dental implants. In the past, most patients relied on dentures and dental bridges for the replacement of missing teeth. But those are no longer your only options — dental implants are more effective, more stable, and more convenient for patients. In fact, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, so they give you a second chance with the perfect smile.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium screws drilled into the jawbone underneath the sockets of your missing teeth. Each titanium implant serves as a replacement for your missing tooth’s root structure. Your bone tissues grow around the implant, making it an intrinsic component of your dental anatomy. After the healing process, a dental crown, bridge, or entire can be attached to the implant to replace the missing tooth/ teeth. The replacement teeth look indistinguishable from natural teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
- Restore Chewing Power: The implant becomes a firmly rooted part of your dental anatomy, fused with your natural jawbone tissues. As such, implant-supported dental prosthetics restore full chewing power and bite force.
- Conservative Treatment: Dental implants are considered to be a conservative solution to teeth replacement compared to dental bridges. That’s because the surrounding teeth don’t have to be filed down to accommodate crowns, as is necessary with bridges.
- Natural Feeling/ Appearance: Implant-supported dental crowns, bridges, and dentures look and feel like natural teeth. After some time, you won’t be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and your implanted teeth.
- Complete Stability: Traditional dentures often slip or slide out of place while chewing, speaking, etc., which can be extremely embarrassing. Implant-supported dentures and bridges, however, are completely stable — no need for adhesives and no risk of slipping.
- Prevent Tooth Shifting: The loss of a tooth can lead to other teeth shifting out of place, which can affect your bite. However, implant-supported restorations prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, thus preserving optimal bite.
- Prevent Bone Loss: The loss of a tooth leads to gradual jawbone erosion, which can lead to facial sagging. Dental implants preserve the natural jawbone and facilitate bone regeneration, thereby helping you look younger.
Dental implants vs.
traditional dental bridges
Dental bridges are the traditional means of replacing multiple missing teeth in a single row. However, in order to place a dental bridge, the dentist must grind down the surrounding (healthy) teeth, thereby weakening the structural integrity of your teeth. However, dental implants are drilled underneath the socket of the missing teeth, so there’s no need to grind down the surrounding teeth. This is the healthiest teeth replacement option available.
Dental implant vs. traditional dentures
Most edentulous patients missing all or most of their teeth opt for traditional dentures because they’re convenient and reasonable. However, dentures are extremely messy, involve using adhesives, and often slip or slide out of place. Dentures also limit your ability to eat hard foods, and they can never replace the functionality of natural teeth. However, implant-supported dentures are completely stable and natural — they give you a second chance with the perfect smile.
Dental implants in the San Fernando Valley
OraBell Dental Implant Centers is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in dental implants for patients in the San Fernando Valley. Our immensely talented dentist carefully examines your specific requirements, discusses your goals, runs diagnostic tests, and curates the ideal dental implant treatment plan for you. Please schedule an appointment to explore your affordable dental implant options in Van Nuys, CA.
