Dental implants can be an ideal solution to replacing damaged or missing teeth. They can restore not only the functionality of teeth but can provide a great new look as well. Dental implants are a standard cosmetic dental option offered at Dennis Baik, DDS.
People tend to assume that the gap left behind after losing a permanent adult tooth can remain empty. The reality is that an exposed tooth socket faces the risk of infection, can cause teeth to shift out of alignment, and can cause other issues as well. With a dental implant, we can help patients avoid those oral health issues. We have the tools and skills necessary to provide patients with a customized dental implant to meet their specific needs.
Dental implants can even help prevent facial structure from changing, providing the functionality needed to perform the same as before the original tooth was damaged. Supplementing them with a dental crown can also ensure that the dental implant looks perfectly natural along with your other teeth.
If you are looking for a sturdy, lasting, and discreet replacement tooth, then call us to learn more about our dental implant procedures today.
Facts from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (aaid.com)
- More than 30 million Americans are missing all their teeth in one or both jaws
- 15 million people in the U.S. have crown and bridge replacements for missing teeth
- 3 million have implants and that number is growing by 500,000 a year
- 10% of all U.S. dentists place implants but that is increasing
- The success rate of implants has been reported in scientific literature as 98%
- Implants performed by U.S. dentists 5,505,720 (2006)
- Implants performed by U.S. general dentists 3,103,930 (2006)
- The dental implant market in the U.S. is projected to reach $5 billion by 2018
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a durable restorative option that gives you new teeth that closely resemble natural teeth in appearance, feel, and functionality. The implant, which resembles a screw and is often made of titanium or zirconium alloy, serves as the root of the replacement tooth. It is inserted straight into the mandible to give a new replacement tooth firm support.
Once the dental implant has been surgically positioned in the jaw, an implant-retained crown will be attached to it. Implant crowns are made of porcelain that closely resembles real teeth. When multiple missing teeth need to be replaced, dentures can also be fastened to your dental implant.
Dental implants are strong and long-lasting, with a lifespan of 30 years or longer. However, the attached crown might only endure for 15 to 20 years.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dennis Baik, DDS, provides tooth implants in San Jose, CA, as permanent replacements for lost teeth. Dental implants have the following benefits:
- Natural look – Dental implants are designed to fit in seamlessly with your healthy teeth, so no one will notice that you have a replacement.
- Long-lasting – They are built to last for decades. With the right maintenance, the implant and crown can last 15 to 30 years or longer.
- Strong and stable – Dental implants are firmly fixed to your jawbone and will not move or shift while you speak or eat, unlike dentures, so you may function like natural teeth without worrying about them coming out or shifting.
- Low maintenance – There is no need for messy denture adhesive or removal and soaking. Implants may be cleaned and maintained just like your natural teeth.
The Process of Installing Dental Implants
If one or more of your teeth fall out, you may qualify for dental implants as a way to permanently replace the missing teeth. In order to find out, schedule an appointment with our San Jose dentist office by calling (408) 226-5560. We will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before we begin the procedure, your gums need to be healthy, and your jawbone needs to be strong. If we identify any cavities or signs of gum disease, we will need to treat it prior to the dental implant procedure.
Once you are cleared for the procedure, the staff at Dennis Baik, DDS will take an impression of your mouth to create a new tooth in a dental lab. Each synthetic tooth will match the size and shape of the surrounding teeth, along with having a perfect color match. This way your smile will appear completely natural once we complete the procedure. Many patients are satisfied with the results since no one can tell the difference between which teeth are real and which ones are synthetic.
Teeth restored with implants will not get cavities. A replacement tooth, or crown, does not decay like a natural tooth. However, you still need to brush, floss and care for it and your surrounding natural teeth in the same manner as natural teeth. Regular professional cleanings and dental checkups are also essential.
The next step in the procedure is to implant a metal post under the gum line. This aspect of the procedure is what sets an implant apart from other forms of cosmetic dentistry. The metal post is secured to the jawbone in order to create a durable, synthetic root system that rivals the strength of natural roots; with one exception that the metal cannot face infection. Over the course of a couple of months, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together. This creates a level of durability that cannot be replicated in other types of procedures.
Afterward, we will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at the surface of the gums. The new tooth is attached so securely, that patients can eat their favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more, without fear of their tooth becoming loose or falling out. Patients can enjoy the benefits that come from never having to worry about their tooth again.
The team at Dennis Baik, DDS provide dental implants in a way that is comfortable and functional. We take the time to make sure that every aspect of the procedure is completed correctly – the first time.
Caring for Dental Implants
Once implants have been installed, they are extremely easy to care for. We hear patients throughout San Jose ask questions that range from “Do implants come out” to “How do I brush my teeth”. Fortunately, the answers are not as complex as some people might believe. Since we install dental implants by creating a synthetic root system, they are durable and secure. The dental implants will not fall out or become loose. This means you can go play basketball, run in a 10k marathon, and wrestle with your kids – without worrying about your tooth coming out.
In order to care for your implants, we advise patients to brush and floss their teeth throughout the day like normal. Additionally, it is important to schedule dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Baik at least twice a year. The staff at Dennis Baik, DDS will help to clean your teeth and ensure that they stay healthy. While dental implants cannot become infected themselves, the teeth around them can. If, in the future, you suffer from a severe case of gum disease or a dental abscess, the infection can spread into your jawbone. This puts your implants in jeopardy because in order to stay secure, the jawbone must be in good health. If it becomes infected, your dental implants and all of your teeth will be in jeopardy.
If you currently have implants and your teeth start to hurt, call (408) 226-5560 to schedule an appointment immediately. This way we can identify any infection and treat it before it can spread into the jawbone. As long as you follow these simple preventative care steps, your implants and natural teeth should remain in good health.
There are 40 years of data behind dental implants, with success rates of about 98%!!