As permanent as we’d hope our teeth to be, life can have other ideas. Tooth decay, injury, and age can all take a toll on your smile. But, losing teeth is not as final as it once was. With modern dentistry, dental implants are an efficient and long-lasting solution to lost teeth.
At My Dentist Anaheim, we are committed to helping you maintain a healthy smile throughout your life. Dr. Patel’s expert care and experience provide patients with top-of-the-line treatments and procedures.
Dental implants are a popular means of replacing lost teeth. What makes them unique is that they are permanent, functional, and cosmetic.
When you are missing teeth, your mouth can become unbalanced. Chewing will, over time, begin to alter your jaw negatively. Dental implants help patients restore their jaw functions.
On a cosmetic level, they restore your smile. Missing teeth can affect your quality of life both physically and psychologically. Implants serve to fix that and literally fill the tooth-shaped hole in your life.
Dental implants, as the name implies, is a surgical component that attaches to your jaw. Once it is in, it is there to stay. An implant then serves as the basis your for replacement teeth, whether it is a bridge, crown, or dentures.
Implants are often made of titanium. What’s impressive is that once they are inserted, your body begins to accept them as a natural part of it. The bone of your jaw will grow around the implant, holding it in place as firmly as a real tooth.
If you are replacing a single tooth or only a few teeth, you’ll likely have a crown. A crown is essentially the “tooth” part. It attached to the metal implant, which functions as an anchor for the crown. Crowns are custom-made, so they will match the rest of your teeth as though they were always a part of your mouth.
There are several key benefits of receiving dental implants.
Compared to your real teeth, dental implants are the next best thing. They’re so popular in cosmetic dentistry because of the many benefits they give.
Benefits such as:
With modern pain management advances in dentistry, procedures like dental implants are painless. During the implant surgery, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area of operation. Patients report feeling some pressure sensation during the procedure.
After dental implant surgery, it will be common to feel discomfort for a few days. Pain medications can manage any post-surgery pain and discomfort. Your dentist will prescribe this if needed.
Implants have the potential to last a lifetime. With good oral hygiene habits and being in good general health, expect implants to last 20 years or more. Patients with higher risks of implant failure include those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or low bone density.
For such cases, bone grafting might be needed before receiving your implants. During your appointment, Dr. Patel will be able to evaluate if you could be a candidate for implants. He will work with you to put together a plan that is focused on helping you achieve the best possible smile in a way that’s right for you.
Implants are useful not only for replacing a single tooth. They can be the first step in rebuilding your entire smile.
They are far more convenient than traditional dentures. Unlike dentures, there’s no more worrying about implants after eating or falling out at the wrong moment. Implants become a permanent part of your mouth, so there’s no need to remove and soak them daily.
However, you still have the option of having your implants support a set of dentures. In this case, your prosthesis will be much more stable than a traditional set would be.
Most dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dental procedures. Insurances may include some of the costs of the replacement tooth that attaches to the implant. But they generally won’t cover the implant itself and the procedure.
To find out your exact costs, call Dr. Tarun Patel, Dentist in Anaheim. Our staff can review any insurance benefits you have. Schedule an appointment to see if Dental Implants are a good option for you.
