SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ CA
If you’re missing teeth, then the problem you’re facing goes beyond a simple cosmetic issue. If you are living with lost teeth, the visual gap in your smile may be the most obvious sign of the problem. In the long run, however, it could be the least of your worries. Living with a single lost permanent tooth for just six months can set up your mouth for a variety of oral and systemic health issues that are significantly more difficult to correct. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, our Scotts Valley implant dentists can repair the gap in your smile. In most cases, we recommend dental implants to replace lost teeth. Why? Because of their durability. Read on to learn more.
Why choose a dental implant?
With good oral hygiene, a dental implant can be a virtually permanent way to replace a missing tooth. The implant screw is placed in the location of the lost tooth, where it fuses with the jawbone. Once the screw has continued to fuse, the implant will provide the stimulation to the jawbone that was provided by the natural tooth root. Implants are sturdy and can support all of the actions we use our mouth for such as chewing and normal speech patterns.
Implants are not best for everyone. They’re not recommended for children or patients who do not have the required bone density. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, our Scotts Valley implant dentist will meet with you for a consultation to evaluate your candidacy for implants and assess your oral health before moving forward with any dental implant procedure.
How long do implants really last?
While dental implants are long lasting and considered to be the finest method of tooth replacement available, they do have a lifespan. If properly cared, for dental implants can easily last at least 30 years. In many instances, implants have successfully lasted the rest of the patient’s life. Poor dental hygiene and implant failure are the two main reasons an implant does not last as planned.
What is implant failure?
This occurs when your body rejects the implant. It can happen within a few months or, for some patients, it may take years. That said, dental implants have an overall success rate of approximately 95 percent. To maximize your chances of a successful experience, we will review your medical history thoroughly as part of your pre-procedure implant consultation. Understanding your medical history is one of the keys to preventing implant failure.
How can I make my dental implant last?
It’s important to note those who have the most successful and long lasting experience with dental implants stay on top of their oral hygiene. Because a dental implant looks and acts like a natural tooth, caring for it is as simple as brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice daily—just like you would your real teeth. A good oral hygiene routine, along with dental checkups every six months, greatly influences the success of a dental implant. Another easy way to ensure a dental implant’s success is to avoid chewing hard foods that could crack a tooth and stop smoking, which is bad for your overall health and oral health, increasing your risk for both gum disease and oral cancer. Either of these conditions can comprise the integrity of the implant while also severely harming your overall health.
Dental Implants in Scotts Valley
You don’t have to live with missing teeth. Drs. Max and Ariana Ebrahimian have a permanent modern solution: the dental implant. To find out more, schedule your consultation by calling Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry today at (831) 438-4411. We are proud to serve the communities of Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California.