Millions of Americans experience tooth loss every year. Luckily, modern dentistry has given us several replacement options to fix the functionality and aesthetics of your smile. At Frank Hsu, D.D.S. we offer some solutions for patients with missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth, we may recommend dental implant treatment, a long-lasting procedure.
Dental implants have become the gold standard of tooth replacement thanks to their many benefits. Dental implants have revolutionized the way we treat tooth loss!
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of three parts: the implant screw, the abutment, and the restoration. The implant screw is usually made from titanium and mimics the root part of a prosthetic tooth. The abutment is a support structure that links the implant to a restoration. These days, implants can be used to support a single crown, a fixed bridge, and even a complete denture.
Most patients will qualify for dental implants. During a consultation appointment, Dr. Hsu will determine whether or not implant treatment is right for you with a comprehensive exam. Patients with a poor bone density or a weak immune system may not qualify for treatment. We may also recommend a bone graft to improve the quality of bone and ensure your implant procedure is a success.
The Dental Implant Process
After we have determined that you are a suitable candidate for implant treatment, we will schedule your procedure. The procedure is usually broken up into two minor surgeries. During the first surgery, we will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the supportive bone. Next, we will drill a small hole into the bone to ensure the implant is deeply embedded. Once the implant is in place, we will suture the incision.
For the next several months, the implant and your jawbone will fuse together during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration is crucial to the success of your implant. Thanks to osseointegration, your implant will function just like a natural tooth.
Once osseointegration is complete, we will schedule your second surgery. During this surgery, we will reopen the gum tissue to expose the implant. Next, we will attach the abutment and place a healing collar. Once the gum tissue is properly healed, we will make an impression and send it to our dental laboratory, where they will fabricate your final restoration. This process usually takes several weeks to complete. In the meantime, you may be given a temporary crown. Once your final crown is ready, we will permanently attach it to the abutment.
Benefits of Dental Implants
An implant-supported restoration will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. In other words, they offer more benefits than any other restoration option. For instance, patients with implants can eat whatever they want with comfort and confidence.
They will also be able to clean and maintain their implant with regular brushing and flossing. One of the biggest advantages of implants involves bone preservation. Implants provide the necessary stimulation your bone needs to avoid atrophy. This ensures your bone remains healthy and strong for years to come! No other restoration helps to preserve your bone once a tooth has been lost.
How Long Do Implants Last?
Among the major benefits of dental implants is that they last a long time. Dental implants implanted by experienced professionals have a 15 to 30 year lifespan. Furthermore, the quality of one's dental treatment can have a substantial impact on how long the prostheses survive. Dental implants may not last forever, but frequent inspections and cleanings might help you extend their usable life by several years. Avoiding risky habits such as not flossing and brushing teeth, or grinding teeth and biting on hard surfaces may help dental implants last longer.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, please call 650-262-1940, and schedule your consultation today!
