7 Reasons to Consider Dental Implants

Dental implants are a very popular solution for patients who are experiencing the loss of natural teeth. There are many reasons to consider dental implants, and Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS of the Newport Beach area can consult with patients to determine if they are appropriate for their smiles.

1) Function
Dental implants use the jawbone for stability and strength, so they function just as natural teeth do. The implant acts as a tooth root would, and osseointegration helps the bone wrap around the restoration for superior strength. Biting forces are distributed to the jawbone in the same way they do with natural teeth.

2) Beautiful
Dental implants can be restored with bridges and crowns, which are fabricated to match the existing teeth. This ensures they look beautiful and provide a discreet method of restoration after tooth loss.

3) Versatile
Dental implants can be used for single or multiple tooth replacement. They can be restored with crowns, bridges, and dentures, depending on the needs of patients.

4) Affordable
Considering dental implants can last a lifetime, they have value like no other restoration. While they may cost more upfront, they are highly successful in placement and do not require further treatment over the course of time.

5) Maintain Bone
When natural teeth are missing, the bone below may disintegrate and weaken. By placing dental implants, patients can maintain the jawbone and maintain their facial contours. Lost jawbone can result in a “sunken in” appearance around the jaw, which is often associated with denture wearers.

6) Permanent
Dental implants do not need to be removed as dentures do, allowing patients to have their dental implants placed and not worry about removal for cleaning.

7) Maintain the Smile
Not only can the placement of dental implants maintain the beauty of the smile, they can also provide patients with a way of avoiding the shifting of existing teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth have a tendency to drift out of place. By implanting a restoration, the existing teeth can maintain their alignment and positioning.

Dental Implant vs Crown: How to Choose the Right Solutions.

Today, a lot of dental research, news and progression revolves around implant dentistry. In the past when a tooth went bad, or a tooth and nerve died, a root canal was performed to get rid of any infection and allow the tooth to be restored. Dr Spath explains several reasons a dental implant may be a better solution than a root canal and crown in this short video.

Today there is an alternative to root canals called a dental implant. Generally a root canal will still be performed when the tooth structure has a good, or the patient doesn’t have a high risk for decay. The last thing you want to do is to perform a root canal with a crown on a patient who has a high susceptibility to future decay, forcing a retraction of the tooth down the road.

Implant success rates range between 92-97% depending on which jaw they are performed on and the quality of bone. Though root canals and crowns have a similar success rate, the re-treatment rate drops into the low 80 percentile. At this rate it is important to initially determine the best long term solution for the patient, which may be a dental implant.

Reasons to consider a dental implant:

  • If the patient has a high risk of tooth decay (Root canal and crowns get reinfected) an implant is the best solution.
  • If it is the second root canal on a specific tooth (root canal retreat) an implant should installed.
  • If there is minimal amount of healthy tooth remaining to support a restoration an implant should be performed.
  • If a root canal tooth supports a bridge an implant can be performed.

Learn more about Crowns here: Crowns & Bridges

Learn more about Implants: Dental Implants

Dental Implants for Single or Multiple Tooth Replacement

Patients in the Newport Beach area who are missing teeth are faced with many solutions when they visit Dr. Andrew Spath. Dr. Spath provides a number of ways to address missing or extracted teeth including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. In many cases, patients may benefit from dental implants if they are appropriate candidates.

Dental implants are a popular method of restoring a smile after tooth loss or extraction. Patients may find that they are the ideal way to replace one or more teeth. Dental implants are titanium posts that are implanted into the bone. Osseointegration occurs, during which the bone wraps around the restoration to hold it in place and provide the stability and strength necessary to function. Dental implants can then be restored over the top with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Crowns

Crowns are used to replace a single missing tooth. They are placed over the implant and are made to look exactly as the existing teeth to blend in seamlessly with the smile. A full crown over a dental implant is the most common use of this restoration.

Bridge

When it is not cost effective to replace multiple lost teeth with single dental implants, patients can place implants to use as a support for a dental bridge. A bridge will use the implants as support of the crowns and pontics (false teeth) to provide a permanent restoration.

Dentures

When patients are struggling with their full dentures, they can use dental implants to add stabilization. This is a wonderful alternative for patients who need to replace a full arch of teeth in a way that provides the strength and stability they desire. Dental adhesives and natural suction may not always provide the best stability for a denture.

Patients in the Newport Beach area considering single or multiple tooth replacement have a number of options available through the practice of Dr. Andrew Spath. Contact his practice today if you are interested in learning more about dental implant restorations.

 

What are dental implants?

The dental implant technology has transformed the field of restorative dentistry in the last two decades. Today it is the most widely used way to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root made of high grade titanium. This artificial root is placed into the exact same area where the original tooth root had existed.

The jaw bone receives the titanium implant like a natural root, and it helps to stop the bone recession. Gradually the root integrates with the bone just like a natural root. A fabricated dental crown is placed over the top of the root to create a complete artificial tooth structure. It restores the oral functionality as well as aesthetics of the patient.

Dental implants produce very predictable results, with a very high success rate. Dentists who are experienced or specializing in dental implants may even have a 100 percent success rate. A dental implant may fail if it has been placed incorrectly, or if the bone was not sufficient in the area to provide stability to the implant. Bone grafting should be done in such a case prior to the implantation.

Dental implants do not require any special care or maintenance. It is a permanent fixture in the mouth, and the patient can treat it just like any other tooth. With good oral hygiene practices and normal oral health, a dental implant is likely to last a lifetime.

Dental implants are primarily an application to replace missing teeth. In addition, they can be used to provide firm support and stability for patients who use dentures. They are also used in the branch of orthodontics to help move teeth to their desired positions. Most dentists agree that dental implants are the best solution for missing teeth because the results are conservative, predictable and long lasting.

An ideal candidate for dental implants is a person who has a general good health, practices good oral hygiene, and is a non-smoker. Patients with a history of smoking or those who are currently smoking, or those with diseases such as diabetes and any other auto immune disorders may have a lower success rate with dental implants.