Replacing lost teeth enhances your appearance, makes chewing easier, and may even help improve your speech. If you've lost one or more teeth, your Tustin, CA, dentist, Dr. Shirley Santos, may recommend replacing them with dental implants. The innovative restoration option makes it possible to restore lost teeth from top to bottom.
Dental implants offer a long-lasting tooth restoration option
A dental implant serves as the root for your new tooth. The small titanium post is placed in an opening made in your jawbone during minor oral surgery in Tustin, CA. After the procedure, the implant begins to gradually bond to your jawbone, creating a stable foundation for your new tooth. Your dental implant is connected to a dental crown, a restoration that restores the visible part of your tooth.
Once your implant bonds to the jawbone, it will become a permanent part of your mouth. In most cases, dental implants never need to be replaced. In fact, an implant may be the least expensive restoration choice when you consider the long-term costs of the various tooth replacement options.
The benefits of dental implants
Replacing lost teeth with dental implants can help you:
- Chew a variety of foods: Thanks to your firmly attached new root, you'll enjoy excellent biting power. You'll be able to eat hard, tough, or sticky foods with ease.
- Improve your appearance: Tooth loss dramatically changes your appearance and may even affect your self-esteem. The dental crown attached to your implant is made from an impression of your teeth to ensure that it looks completely natural in your mouth. In fact, no one will be able to tell that your tooth isn't real.
- Strengthen your jaw: Jaw resorption, a condition that causes the jawbone to shrink and weaken, can be a problem after tooth loss. If your jawbone shrinks, you may notice sagging facial muscles and loose teeth. Dental implants constantly exert pressure on your jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy.
- Replace more than one missing tooth: Implants are also a good solution if you've lost multiple teeth. Supporting dentures with implants can improve comfort and biting power.
Fill the gaps in your smile with dental implants! Call your dentist in Tustin, CA, Dr. Santos, at (714) 368-0222 to schedule your appointment.