Dental Implants

If you have missing teeth, you’re probably well familiar with how inconvenient they can be. Not only do they hinder your usage of your teeth (and therefore how well you’re able to enjoy your food), but they can also have an effect on your confidence, depending on their location.

Additionally, missing teeth can negatively affect the structure of your jaw: the teeth neighboring the gap can move into the empty space over time, eventually changing your bite and possibly affecting the alignment of your jaw.

Bone recession can also be an issue – because the underlying bone no longer has to support any teeth once they’ve been lost, it can start to recede. This can change your facial structure and give you an older appearance.

Bridges and dentures are popular tooth restoration options that are fairly effective. However, a more stable option is with dental implants, a treatment that can be found at Patel Family Dental in Orland to restore your smile.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically inserted directly into the jawbone. A dental restoration can then be fixed onto the implant to restore the function and appearance to the smile.

Benefits of dental implants

Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, they essentially act as tooth roots, providing much better stability than dentures or bridges, which can become loose. Additionally, dental implants can prevent or slow down bone loss. They are also easier to clean and maintain than other tooth replacement options, which is more beneficial to your oral health overall.

Procedure

At least two appointments will be required to have dental implants placed in Orland. After your dentist at Patel Family Dental has determined that you have sufficient bone structure in the jaw to support the implants, he or she will prepare the jaw to receive the implants (a bone graft can be performed first, if needed, to build up the bone structure).

A small incision will be made in the gum line over the site of the missing tooth (or teeth – one implant can support more than one dental prosthetic) and your dentist will prepare the underlying bone before putting the implant into place. The gum tissue will be stitched closed and the site will be left to heal for several months.

During this time, the implant will fuse into the surrounding bone. Once it has fully fused with the jawbone, you will return to Patel Family Dental to have the artificial tooth/teeth fixed to the implants. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants can be expected to last a lifetime.