When you lose a single tooth, this could cause more than just embarrassment, as your overall oral health can suffer too. Fortunately, our team can offer a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth, and one that can last years to come too. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons talk about dental implant placement.
The Risks of a Missing Tooth
Tooth loss poses serious trouble for your oral health. For example, when you lose even one tooth, the surrounding teeth will drift from position, which causes dental misalignment. The misalignment itself then increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. When we lose teeth, the stress on our jaw joints could mean the onset of painful disorders like TMD or bruxism (teeth grinding). Your body will respond to the missing root suspending the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the surrounding bone structure, so the jawbone weakens and the risk of further tooth loss and an older appearance increases with time. Which is why once a tooth is lost, you should contact our team today to talk about dental implants.
Dental Implants
Our team can replace a missing tooth with a dental implant and crown, providing a longer-lasting and more lifelike solution to missing teeth than a simple dental bridge. To get started, we will carefully examine your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can choose the best angle and position to insert the dental implant. The implant portion is a biocompatible titanium post that is screw-like in appearance and inserted into the jaw. The body sees this as a natural root, and bonds with it to allow your tooth to stay in place for decades to come. This also means the jawbone no longer loses mass and density, protecting the stability of your smile.
Custom Crowns
When the placement area heals, we will complete the new tooth by attaching an abutment to the post. This provides structure that extends above the gum line, so we can connect a crown to the post. The new crown is custom-made to ensure a balanced bite and a lifelike appearance, shaded to blend with your smile. The crown completes the tooth and can absorb daily bite forces and pressures with ease. If you have any questions about how we plan and place dental implants, or if you have a missing tooth that needs attention, then contact our team today to learn more. A full smile in 2024 is possible!
Do You Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
Our team is ready to help you start 2024 with a full and beautiful smile. To learn more about replacing a lost tooth, then schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.