Tooth loss isn’t just an aesthetic problem; when your smile is incomplete it can cause a ripple effect of oral health problems that reverberates years into the future. The good news is that our Toluca Lake dentists provide effective and attractive tooth replacement options to help your smile get back on track.
One of the tooth replacement technologies that has truly revolutionized restorative dentistry is dental implant technology. Keep reading to learn more about the basic structure of the dental implant. You’ll see that because dental implants are so thoughtfully designed, they deliver natural looking and feeling results.
Let’s start by talking about what sets the dental implant apart from traditional tooth replacement prostheses like dentures and bridges. Dental implants are unique in that they replace the patient’s missing tooth root as well as the missing dental crown.
The foundation of the dental implant is a titanium screw or post—this fills the space of the tooth root. Because the implant root is made of titanium, it actually starts to bond with the patient’s natural jawbone tissue over time. Consequently, the replacement tooth stays in place permanently, and even helps the patient to maintain healthy jawbone density.
In order to restore the visible portion of the patient’s tooth, our dentist caps the implant root with an abutment, and then a customized dental crown. Our dentists use the patient’s natural teeth as guides in order to design a natural looking restoration. Once your dental implant is complete, and your crown is in place, you’ll find that your replacement tooth blends seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
The faster you are able to replace teeth after dental trauma, the better your long-term dental health prognosis will be. As always, our Toluca Lake dental implant dentists are here to answer all of your questions, and give you the tools you need to restore and rebuild your smile.