What are dental implants, and how are they used in restorative dentistry?
Dental implants, or titanium implants, are commonly considered to be a highly sought-after solution for patients who have experienced tooth loss. Whether extracted, knocked out, or lost due to disease and dental resorption, our team at Creekside Center for Comprehensive Dentistry of Vacaville, California, can assist in restoring function, beauty, and health to the smile using implants.
What are dental implants?
Many patients are curious about dental implants, what they are, and how they work. Dental implants are described by Drs. Shirin Hamad and Reza Moezi as posts that are fabricated from biocompatible materials like titanium metal or zirconia. They look like small hardware screws and are placed by our team during oral surgery into the bone of the jaw. Once in place, they stimulate the natural production of bone around it, known as a process called osseointegration. Osseointegration is what allows the tooth to become “one” with the jawbone, offering the strength, stability, and durability needed for long-term, permanent tooth replacement.
How are dental implants used to replace a missing tooth?
Dental implants are used in many different situations where tooth loss has occurred. First and foremost, dental implants are popular for single-tooth replacement. If a tooth is extracted or lost, the dental implant is put in the bone where the tooth once was to act as a tooth root replacement. An abutment is placed over the implant and above the gum line and used to hold a dental crown to act as a tooth replacement.
Alternatively, dental implants can also be used to anchor in dental bridges or stabilize full cosmetic dentures. This makes them a reliable option for patients who need to place a bridge but don’t have both adjacent teeth to support them or who have been unhappy with traditional full dentures using denture adhesives. This makes the dentures strong and comfortable for patients with substantial tooth loss.
How do I know if I am a good fit for dental implants?
During an initial consultation visit with Drs. Shirin Hamed and Reza Moezi of Creekside Center for Comprehensive Dentistry, Vacaville, CA, area patients can ask about dental implants and their candidacy. If you live in the area, call (707) 392-3233 to request an appointment at the office, conveniently located at 1350 Burton Drive and serving patients in the surrounding cities of Woodland, Fairfield, Sacramento, Suisun City, Winters, Davis, and Dixon, California.
Dental implants are titanium roots, that are replaced with in the jawbone to resemble a tooth or group of teeth. A screw is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prosthesis including crowns, dentures, and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking, no one will know you had surgery. There’s approximately a 95% success rate for all implants. With modern advances in dentistry, some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.