If you’re missing a tooth or more, you may want to consider dental implants. Located in West Hollywood, dental implants are one of the excellent services provided at Delmont Dentistry by Dr. Delmont. Dental implants should not be the first option for dental care since regular, preventive oral care is the best method for having healthy teeth and gums.
How can you know if you need them?
Consistent brushing and flossing combined with professional dental hygiene will help keep your teeth clean, healthy, and strong. However, should you need dental implants, it’s typically because you have one or more missing teeth. Here are some of the criteria that will qualify you for dental implants if you don’t have all of your teeth:
- Your jawbone is fully grown
- You either don’t want to or can’t wear dentures
- Enough bone in your jaw or can have a bone graft if needed to so implants can be secured
- Reduce the level of difficulty it takes to eat and speak
Dr. Delmont will perform a thorough examination and discuss the best options for you should meet the criteria listed above.
A dental implant is not a replacement tooth
When you receive a dental implant, you’re getting a replacement tooth root. This replacement isn’t simply an attachment to your gums. It’s a tiny cylindrical piece of titanium that’s implanted in your jaw bone in the same place your tooth root would be. A true dental implant is a long-term solution that can last a lifetime compared to a dental prosthetic.
Using titanium as the implant allows for osseointegration which is when the titanium implant bonds with living bone tissue. This prevents the jaw bone from melting away because of the lack of teeth. When osseointegration occurs, jaw alignment can be improved and prevented from changing in a way that can negatively affect your ability to smile and eat.
After the procedure is completed, any pain or discomfort typically goes away in less than a week. New restorations happen after the implant is put in. Titanium implants are finished with one of the following: bridges, crowns, and dentures.
How to care for a dental implant
Thanks to Dr. Delmont’s attention to detail, you can expect your dental implants to feel, function, and look like regular teeth. There may be some soreness following the dental implant procedure but it’ll go away after a few days. Your dental implants don’t need different treatment from what natural teeth require to stay clean and healthy. Brush and floss regularly while scheduling consistent dental checkups to ensure you have the best oral health possible. Dr. Delmont will be available for any questions you may have about the care of your dental implants.
Are you missing one or more teeth? Dental implants by Dr. Delmont in West Hollywood may be an effective solution for you. Call (310) 652-7742 and schedule an appointment!