Jul
You lost a tooth. Now what? Many San Francisco, California area patients who are faced with tooth loss are unsure of how they should proceed. There are several tooth replacement options available today, including temporary and permanent. A popular option is the dental implant, which can replace one or more teeth, depending on how it is used. But are dental implants a temporary replacement option or a permanent option? Drs. Terri Nguyen and Laura Huynh can explain!
First, understanding a dental implant is the first step in deciding if it is the most appropriate treatment for you. An implant is a titanium post that acts as a tooth root replacement. Drs. Terri Nguyen and Laura Huynh place the implant during oral surgery directly into the bone of the jaw. Preparations to do so include x-rays to ensure the patient has sufficient bone for successful placement. When a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, it stimulates the body’s natural production of bone through osseointegration. The bone wraps around the implant to keep it firmly in place, allowing it to function as a natural tooth once did. The abutment over the implant is then restored based on the needs of the patient.
Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. This is because they become a part of the body after the bone grows around them during osseointegration. Patients love dental implants because of their longevity, which makes them a smart investment for many adults. However, if patients are interested in a short-term option, considerations such as partial dentures may be recommended.
Dental implants have many advantages. They:
Dental implants are the solution of choice for many of our patients. If you live in or around San Francisco, CA and want to work with an experienced team of providers to have dental implants placed, call Drs. Terri Nguyen and Laura Huynh of West Portal Family Dentistry at (415) 604-9292.