Dental Implants

Once a tooth is extracted, it is important to replace it as soon as possible, and one of the best options includes a dental implant. The reason it’s important to replace a missing tooth promptly is to restore the balance of force in your mouth when chewing. An implant can also help prevent damage to your existing teeth.

What Is the Big Deal If I Have a Missing Tooth?

A single missing tooth can cause a host of other issues with your dental health, and affect your other teeth. Your speech may become hindered, as well as your ability to chew food. Plus, missing teeth can cause uneven wear and tear over time when chewing, along with a lack of confidence or even embarrassment to be seen in public.

Missing teeth also can cause:

  • Gum recession.
  • Bone loss.
  • Painful chewing.
  • Premature aging.
  • Teeth to drift out of place.
  • Poor nutrition due to decreased chewing ability.
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ disorder or TMD).

To avoid these risks, you can replace your missing teeth with dental implants, known to be the finest, most long-lasting tooth replacement available.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant consists of a biocompatible titanium post that is placed in the bone, in place of the root of the missing tooth. This is a surgical procedure, and you will need to heal—likely for several months—as the implant screw fuses to your jawbone.

After the healing process is complete, a permanent dental crown is attached to the implant.

What Are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?

  • They are permanent. – Dental implants can last for decades with proper maintenance.
  • They are convenient. – You never have to take them in and out of your mouth like dentures.
  • They restore more of your chewing ability. – You can eat whatever you want thanks to the strength, stability, and durability of a dental implant.
  • They are easy to maintain. – To keep your implant clean, just brush and floss it like you would real teeth, while maintaining a regular schedule of check-ups with your dentist in Santa Cruz at least once every four to six months.
  • They are more stable and comfortable. – Dental implants will not put pressure on adjacent teeth like a partial denture or dental bridge, which relies on the adjacent teeth to provide support.
  • They prevent bone loss. – When you lose a tooth, the supporting jawbone can recede and potentially begin to dissolve due to the lack of stimulation that was provided by the tooth when it was present. The implant, once placed, will provide that stimulation.

How Long Does It Take to get a Dental Implant?

The placement of an implant is a surgical procedure. We work with the top dental implant team in the area who will provide you with the best of care. Once the dental implant is placed into the jawbone, it will need to heal for about 3-6 months.

After the healing process is finished, the dental crown procedure will take two visits to complete. The results will look and feel natural, and you can enjoy the benefits of your dental implant for years to come!

Is a Dental Implant right for Me?

Certain medical conditions or cases where there is significant bone loss may prevent a patient from getting a dental implant. For those patients with gum disease, gum infections need to be treated first and healthy gums maintained before you can receive an implant. Implants are not recommended for children.

No matter what challenges you face, a consultation is the best way to determine if a dental implant is right for you.

Call Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry Today!

To schedule a consultation, contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry today at (831) 438-4411. We welcome patients from Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California!