Dental Implants
Replace Damaged or Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
A skilled dentist will do everything possible to preserve your existing teeth. Sometimes, however, a tooth may be lost in an accident or due to disease. In these cases, what may be best for your long-term dental health would be to remove the damaged tooth and replace it with a dental implant. Consult with a gentle, skilled, and knowledgeable San Fernando Valley dentist at Sterling Smile Dental Care about whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
What are implants?
Implants are metal frames or posts that act as tooth roots for man-made replacement teeth. Implants offer a more secure foundation for dentures or bridges, whether they are permanent (fixed) or removable.
How dental implants work
Implants are put in place beneath your gums during a surgical procedure. The metal fuses with the bone, creating a stable platform on which bridges or dentures can be mounted, or individual crowns can be attached to the implant directly.
In order to be eligible to receive implants, your gums and jawbone must be in good condition to support the implant, and you must be committed to careful hygiene both at home and through regular dental appointments to keep the implants from becoming infected. With careful maintenance, however, implants can last a lifetime. At Sterling Smile Dental Care, a trained dentist will provide the cleaning instructions and attentive follow-up care you’ll need to ensure that your implants are successful.
What are the advantages of implants?
Many patients find that dentures or bridges mounted on implants are far more comfortable to wear than their traditional counterparts. For denture- or bridge-wearers who complain of sore spots or who suffer from gagging, implants can make life much more pleasant and less painful. Implants make it easier to eat confidently, whereas eating with traditional dentures and bridges can result in slippage while chewing firm foods.
Many patients find that speaking normally is easier with implants than with traditional dentures or bridges. Additionally, traditional bridges and dentures must be attached to neighboring teeth, requiring a dentist to grind down those teeth so that they are prepared to hold the replacements in place. Implants eliminate the need to shape and prepare the neighboring teeth in this way.
Talk to Your Dentist to Find out if Implants are Right for You
If you’re in search of gentle and skillful dental care provided in comfortable and relaxing surroundings, contact the Northridge dental offices of Sterling Smile Dental Care for an appointment, at 818-885-7117.
