It wasn’t too long ago when a missing tooth meant that you would need to wear a removable bridge or denture. Many patients have struggled with these in the past and in some circumstances, caused further damage to the surrounding teeth. The advances in cosmetic dental techniques and technologies have introduced dental implants – a permanent tooth replacement.
The most common complaint from denture and bridge wearers is the instability, which is something that you would no longer have to worry about with dental implants. These can be used when the area in which the tooth is missing is healthy enough to sustain the artificial root and tooth. First, a titanium cylinder must be screwed into the jawbone and allowed to heal over a period of three to six months. Once the new “root” has been integrated into the jaw, the artificial tooth can be permanently bonded to achieve a natural-looking smile. The new tooth will look and act like your natural tooth and should be cared for just as you would the rest of your teeth. Now that the removable bridge/denture is no longer disturbing the surrounding teeth, there is a reduced risk of damage to the teeth and gums.
If you are ready to throw out your dentures and/or bridge, schedule an appointment to learn about your options with dental implants. Los Angeles and Beverly Hills patients can achieve a more beautiful and natural-looking smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry.