When teeth are lost to decay, gum disease, infection or trauma, prosthetic tooth replacement can reduce the risk of misalignments or other teeth shifting into the remaining gap. Tooth replacement can also restore the appearance of your smile. Dental implants are commonly considered the healthiest tooth replacement option for many individuals because they replace the root of the missing tooth and fuse with the jawbone, which prevents the loss of bone density that generally follows tooth loss. Several different types of dental implants are available, and your dentist will help you determine which is best for your unique situation.
Root form dental implants are the most popular form of dental implants. These are shaped just like the natural root of your tooth and are commonly used when your jawbone is strong, healthy and has plenty of depth and width to support the dental implant. If your jawbone has lost density over time, you may need a bone graft to ensure proper placement. Your dentist will numb your jaw before preparing your jaw for the dental implant and then place the dental implant. The area will be allowed to heal before an abutment and prosthetic is attached. This may take between three and six months.
If your jawbone is very narrow or thin, you may be a candidate for a plate form dental implant. This type of dental implant has a long, flat shape in order to fit more comfortably into your jawbone. As with the root form implants, they are placed into the jawbone after you are anesthetized, and yhe implant will be allowed to heal before the restoration process is completed. In some conditions, the restoration can be completed immediately. Plate form dental implants can also be used with dental bridges to connect with natural teeth.
When significant bone loss has occurred, patients may be candidates for subperiosteal dental implants. Contrary to other kinds of dental implants, subperiosteal dental implants do not fit into the socket of your lost tooth but rather rest on top of your jawbone and under your gums.
Other choices include mini dental implants, which can be used to support partial or full dentures, and immediate load dental implants, which are placed as soon as the tooth or teeth are extracted, which dramatically lowers healing time. Your dentist can help you better understand your personal choices and which type of dental implants are best for you by examining your teeth and determining the amount of bone structure in your mouth.
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Dr. Afar, Los Angeles dentist , offer different options for replacing lost teeth. This Los Angeles dental implants expert can determine if dental implants are best for your case.