Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Chances are high that if you found this blog post, you’re probably researching options for replacing teeth that are missing or need to be extracted. We’re glad you’re here because we have good news for you! While we have several options for you to consider to restore your smile — from removable partial dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants — out of all the options, implants are the option we prefer because they keep the bone structure of your jaw intact while preserving natural teeth. The tooth replacements are crowns that are custom-made to match the surrounding natural teeth in color, form and function.
Today, your Santa Cruz implant dentist at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry is sharing four ways dental implants benefit your other teeth and improve oral health after losing a tooth.
Implants are self-supporting
Let’s take a look at the three restoration options and their ability to be self-supporting:
- Removable partial dentures, or partials, rest on the gums but can have hooks and clasps that attach to surrounding teeth. These keep them secure while wearers are speaking and eating. If not thoroughly cleaned, though, the hooks and clasps can catch food debris and become a breeding ground for damaging bacteria.
- A dental bridge uses two neighboring teeth to anchor and support a tooth replacement. Bridges sit above the gum line and have no roots. This has severe consequences for the jawbone down the road.
- Dental implants are stand-alone solutions involving a titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root. Within six months of the implant being inserted in the jawbone, the jawbone fuses around the post. This stimulates and stabilizes the jawbone and provides stability for the implant.
Implants stimulate bone
Because dental implants are attached to the jawbone, the bone is stimulated the same way natural tooth roots would stimulate it. When a tooth is missing or extracted, the body begins to reabsorb the jaw bone that once held the tooth in place. Dental implants are the only way to prevent the resorption of the jawbone and encourage it to regenerate tissue.
Implants are easy to clean
Clean teeth are a cornerstone of strong oral health. Caring for implants is no different than caring for natural teeth. Our implant specialists in Scotts Valley recommend brushing your teeth — including implants — twice a day, flossing once and visiting our office twice a year for professional cleanings. This will ensure your implants, just as your natural teeth, stay clean and healthy.
Implants retain natural teeth
Sometimes when a person loses one tooth, others won’t be long to follow. Ignoring a missing tooth will almost always lead to further tooth loss because of the body’s reabsorption of the jawbone. Dental implants will stimulate the jawbone, oftentimes preventing further tooth loss.
DENTAL IMPLANTS IN SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, AND LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
Dental implants are a permanent and premier way to replace missing teeth, restoring your smile and overall oral health. If you’re missing a tooth or multiple teeth — or if you need any teeth extracted — give our implant dentists at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry a call at (831) 824-5111, or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation today.
