Affordable Dental Implants
Having missing teeth can have a significant impact on your overall health. Not only can it affect your bite, speech, and eating habits, but it can also put added strain on your remaining teeth, leading to premature wear, damage, or loss. Additionally, you may experience headaches and jaw pain as a result.
It's important to address missing teeth promptly, as the jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time. In fact, individuals can lose up to 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants offer a solution that not only replaces missing teeth but also helps preserve bone structure, oral health, and appearance. By acting like natural teeth, implants provide a long-term solution for tooth replacement.
Consult with your dentist and an implant surgeon to explore the options available to you and make an informed decision about restoring your smile and oral health.
Tooth Replacement Options
There are various options available for replacing missing teeth, ranging from temporary to permanent solutions. Anyone who is missing one or more teeth or is dissatisfied with their dentures is a suitable candidate, regardless of age. However, factors such as smoking, diabetes, and previous radiation therapy in the area can decrease the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of the jaw will be taken to assess if implants can be accommodated, and additional detailed x-rays may be necessary to determine if further tests or procedures are needed for proper implant placement.
Fixed Bridge San Jose
A fixed bridge is a series of replacement teeth that are connected together and cemented onto the adjacent teeth for support. The outer layer of the adjacent teeth is typically removed or ground down before attaching the bridge.
Flipper San Jose
A temporary and cost-effective solution for missing teeth is a removable plastic tooth with a retainer, commonly known as a "flipper".
Metal Partial San Jose
A more durable alternative is a removable partial denture made of metal and plastic, secured in place with wire clips. This type of denture can be easily taken out and put back in by the patient as needed.
Denture San Jose
Complete dentures are the most common solution for individuals who are missing all of their teeth in one or both jaws. While some people adjust easily to dentures, others may find them uncomfortable or even intolerable due to variations in jaw size and shape.
Dental Implants San Jose
Dental implants offer a comfortable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. They provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth, maintaining the health and strength of the jaw. Implants can support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures without damaging healthy teeth. Unlike bridges, implants can last a lifetime and offer attractive, stable, and comfortable results for almost any patient.
What are the advantages of choosing dental implants over traditional restorations?
There are multiple reasons why a dental bridge may not be the best option. It can compromise the structure of healthy surrounding teeth, and having to remove a denture or partial at night can be inconvenient. Additionally, dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
What Are Dental Implants?
When comparing natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you will find that they share the same basic components. Both have a crown, which is the visible part used for chewing food, and a root that securely holds the tooth under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The main difference is that implants are made of titanium, a material commonly used by surgeons for artificial joints. When a tooth is lost, both the root and crown are lost as well. To replace the tooth, a small dental implant is first placed to replace the root.
After the implant is placed, time is given for the bone to heal and grow around it. The titanium bonds with the bone, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. An abutment is then placed on the implant, and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In some cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached immediately after the implant is placed. If you are missing all of your teeth, there are various treatment options available to support the replacement teeth.
Surgical Advances
With the latest advancements in dental implant technology, Dr. Khayat is skilled in placing single stage implants. These implants eliminate the need for a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a healing period of at least six weeks before artificial teeth can be placed. In some cases, the implant can even be placed simultaneously with a tooth extraction, reducing the number of surgical procedures needed.
The placement of dental implants involves a collaborative effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Dr. Khayat performs the implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and any necessary bone grafting. The restorative dentist, or your dentist, is responsible for fitting and creating the permanent prosthesis. Temporary prostheses may also be made by your dentist during the implant process.
