A dental implant is a biocompatible post that is designed to mimic a healthy tooth root, and is surgically inserted into the jawbone following tooth loss. As the jawbone heals, it fuses to the implant’s titanium surface, securing the post in place so that it can effectively support your dental prosthesis. At Santa Rosa Oral Surgery, we use high-quality implants provided by Straumann® – the premier source for modern dental implant posts and lifelike restorations.
Tooth Loss and Implants
When you lose one or more teeth, the most immediate concern may be how the loss affects your smile. With empty spaces between your teeth, your smile can seem older, less healthy, and less esthetically appealing. Not to mention that your surrounding teeth may gradually shift as they adjust to the imbalance in your bite pressure. Yet, while most conventional replacement teeth can address these consequences, only dental implants can address the ramifications of losing the roots of your teeth, which are less-immediately noticeable.
Healthy roots not only support your teeth, they also help maintain a steady flow of nutrients to your jawbone every time they’re stimulated by biting and chewing. Without these roots, your jawbone will receive fewer nutrients, resulting in gradual jawbone erosion and the increased risk of further tooth loss. As prosthetic root posts, dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone to support a crown, bridge, or denture, as well as restore the stimulation that promotes a strong, healthy jawbone.