We often see patients at our San Bruno Dental Implants Office who are concerned about their missing teeth. The loss of a tooth can be a distressing event for anyone. Whether it’s the result of a dental trauma or extensive decay a missing tooth can impact your life, causing difficulty speaking and chewing. You will no doubt also experience a loss of self-confidence because of your appearance.

The good news is that advances in modern dentistry now offer more options to replace a missing tooth than ever before. One particular option that is quickly becoming the replacement method of choice is the dental implant.
 
Dental implants are designed to integrate into your jawbone, providing a solid foundation – actually a replacement for the natural root of your tooth – which is provided by a small titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. When the dental implant is first placed, the tissue around the implant will gradually integrate with the implant itself, a process known as osseointegration. This process will ultimately form a strong structure that acts as a new root for your tooth. This is the solid foundation that will form the base for a natural-looking dental restoration.

Dental implants may be used to replace a single missing tooth or several missing teeth. Dental implants are an outstanding tooth replacement when used alone. But they can also perform the function of helping to add stability to existing bridges or dentures.
 
The team at our San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Office can place dental implants strategically to create a sound foundation for bridges and dentures. Even though a bridge may stay in place, it can cause unnecessary structural stress and strain on your natural teeth. But when combined with a dental implant, the bridge stays in place with dental implant sharing the load. This not only ensures a comfortable fit but takes the pressure off your healthy, natural teeth.
 
Another similar use for dental implants is placing them strategically to provide stability for dentures, improving their overall comfort and functionality. Dental implants are a versatile tooth-replacement option providing strength for a natural-looking restoration.

Dental implants are quickly becoming the choice for replacement of missing teeth. We see many patients at our San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Dentist office inquiring about dental implants – what they are, how they work, etc. Here’s a short list of some of the more frequently asked questions.

 

What does a dental implant do?
A dental implant basically replaces the root portion of your missing tooth in order to restore normal chewing function and the appearance of your smile. The implant integrates with the jaw bone through a process called osseointegration, eventually allowing placement of dental restorations that may include a single tooth or an entire arch. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaw and may also be used as stabilizing elements for dentures.

 

What is the benefit of a dental implant?
Dental implants provide a long-term solution for replacement of missing teeth that is designed to look, feel and function as a natural tooth. Because dental implants are a ‘stand-alone’ fixture, they also provide a tooth replacement option that does not damage or put stress on surrounding teeth.

 

How do I know if dental implants are right for me?
Anyone with one or more missing teeth or someone who wear dentures is a good candidate for dental implants. In general, if you’re healthy enough to undergo tooth extraction you are most likely healthy enough to receive a dental implant.

 

Are dental implants successful in long-term use?
The long-term success rate for dental implants is very high. Before proceeding with a treatment plan, your San Bruno Dental Implant dentist will conduct a comprehensive exam of your jaw to determine if there is sufficient bone density to place an implant.

 

Will my dental implant need continued dental maintenance?
Of course, your routine of professional dental visits for exams and cleanings will continue as normal after placement of your implant. Maintaining routine visits along with diligent at-home oral health care will guarantee the long life of the dental implant as well as your overall oral health.

Dental Implants offer a permanent solution for the replacement of a missing tooth. The titanium “root” of the dental implant is then covered with a custom made dental crown by San Bruno Dental Implants Dentistry Office that closely matched to the color of surrounding teeth, allowing the implant to blend in and functions like your natural teeth. One of the many advantages of using dental implants is the fact that you may continue to eat and enjoy all your favorite foods in complete comfort.

 

For patients who have experienced the loss of a tooth, there are several tooth replacement options available. However, some of the options can restrict the type of diet you can enjoy and also make eating or chewing uncomfortable. Dentures, for example, may move and shift during chewing making it difficult or impossible to eat some of your favorite foods.

 

Dental implants are completely free-standing and function in the same way as a natural tooth. The artificial root of the dental implant fuses permanently with the jawbone, creating a solid base so that the attached crown will not move or shift. You may enjoy steak, crusty bread, apples or whichever foods you choose without the worry of the implant shifting or moving.

 

Since dental implants function as natural teeth, they don’t require additional maintenance after they have been placed. By simply following your regular routine of brushing, flossing, and maintaining regular check-ups with San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Dentist Office you will ensure that you will be able to enjoy the dental implants and keep them healthy and stable for years to come. Contact our office for more information and to make an appointment to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

More and more of my patients these days come to me with questions about dental implants.  Today I’ll tell you about the benefits of dental implants.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
If you are missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay you may be a good candidate for dental implants. Generally speaking, if you’re healthy enough for a tooth extraction then you may be a candidate for dental implants, although we won’t know for sure until we do a thorough examination

What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of a small titanium fixture that serves as a replacement for the root portion of your missing tooth.  Using local anesthesia, San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Dentist Office places the small titanium fixture into the bone. Ultimately the implant integrates with the bone securely, often resulting in a more stable structure than the tooth’s natural root.

Why dental implants?
Improved Confidence and Lifestyle:  Dental implants will transform your smile by eliminating unsightly gaps, helping you regain a more youthful smile. You can continue to enjoy all your favorite foods with confidence because of the sound structure of your teeth.

Improved Appearance: Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink over time, affecting your overall appearance by giving your face a “sunken” appearance. This has the undesirable effect of making you appear older than you actually are but can also eventually change the structure of your jaw.

Provide a Permanent Solution: Unlike crowns or other dental prosthetics, the implant becomes an integral part of the structure of your jaw and will, under normal conditions, serve you for life without further adjustment.

At our San Bruno Dental Implants Dentistry Office the procedure can be done under local anesthesia in as little as 45 minutes. However, we do have a variety of sedation options available for patients who feel anxious or prefer a stronger sedative.

Dental implants are designed to be permanent, immovable replacement teeth. They are easy to care for, and unlike dentures and bridges, dental implants do not have to be removed for cleaning or dental maintenance. Patients at our San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Dentist Office can care for their implants the same way they care for their natural teeth, with regular brushing and flossing.

Your dental implants can last for decades with proper care. But there are certain steps you can take to preserve the health and longevity of your dental implant. Here are some common problems to be aware of:

• Teeth grinding: patients who grind or clench their teeth (also known as Bruxism) put unnecessary strain on their implants, causing them to wear down prematurely. Many patients don’t even realize that they are grinding their teeth, because they do it in their sleep. If you wake up with jaw soreness or tooth pain this may be an indication that you’re suffering from bruxism.
• Chewing Hard Foods:  Chewing hard foods like hard candies or ice creates stress on your natural teeth and your dental restorations. If you regularly eat hard candy or ice, you risk chipping or cracking your crowns.
• Using Tobacco Products:  Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause your teeth and your restorations to discolor. Dental implants as well as natural enamel can take on a dark, stained appearance from habitual tobacco use.

Dental implants are a practical, long-term tooth replacement option, and with proper care they can keep you smiling for years to come. Before you choose dental implants, take the time to minimize bad dental habits and treat bruxism. Our San Bruno Dental Implants Dentistry Office can help you understand how the treatment process works and whether or not dental implants are the right option for you.

When you lose a tooth, it can have an unfortunate impact on your life, causing difficulty with speaking and eating certain types of foods. In addition you may experience the resulting lack of confidence in your appearance. But at the San Bruno, CA Dental Implants Dentist Office you have more tooth replacement options with modern cosmetic dentistry than ever before, and one option in particular, the dental implant, is quickly becoming the preferred course of treatment for missing teeth.

A dental implant consists of a small titanium post surgically implanted into the bone. During the initial phase of the implant process, the titanium bonds with your jaw bone to form a strong foundation for a natural-looking dental restoration. Once the post is firmly seated in the jaw, the restoration is affixed to the implant. Because the titanium post takes the place of the tooth’s missing root, dental implants are actually integrated into the structure of the bone to mimic the appearance and strength of your natural teeth.
 
Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth or multiple teeth. They are an exceptional tooth replacement option when used alone, but they can also be used to help improve the stability and comfort of existing dentures or bridges.
 
Our San Bruno Dental Implants Dentistry Office can strategically place dental implants to stabilize bridges and dentures. Bridges stay in place because they are affixed to adjacent teeth, but this can cause unnecessary strain and structural stress on a patient’s natural teeth. Now, a patient’s bridge can be anchored to a dental implant, ensuring a comfortable fit, and taking the pressure off of healthy, natural teeth.
 
Dental implants can be used alone or with dentures and bridges to improve the appearance and functionality of a patient’s smile. They are a versatile tooth-replacement option providing stability and a natural-looking restoration.