If you have lost a tooth, or even a few of them, you may be looking for a permanent solution that is durable enough to withstand the rigors of daily life. For many people, a dental bridge is stable enough of a prosthetic. However, there are drawbacks to this maneuver.
For instance, a bridge requires crowns placed on the external teeth in order to create the necessary stability. Then the prosthetic tooth hangs connected between the two. If your issue does not involve these structures, then avoiding additional surgical tactics is preferable. We’d like to keep as much of your natural healthy biological tissue as possible!
Today, your Cerritos, CA dentist explains how implant technology might help you limit the alterations to your smile!
Isolated Trauma
Some oral health issues can affect the mouth in a broad way, and others can be very localized. But in either instance, we would always love to maintain your current existing healthy tissue if we can. This tissue is very helpful not only in our appearance, but also in keeping up our health.
Our mouths are the largest opening into our body, and is thus the largest risk most of us have for infection. We have adapted and evolved to have very strong immune systems to fight back invaders. For that reason, keeping this tissue strong, sturdy, and in place can maintain a comprehensive oral health approach.
Growing Alongside Bone
One of the largest advancements in dental technology of the 20th century and beyond is a process known as osseointegration. This is the connection between living bone and an artificial material. It is not only important in the dental world, but also in the field of prosthetic limbs for amputees, as well!
Titanium specifically works incredibly well for this, and is the material we use for our implant posts. In fact, the first person to receive a titanium dental prosthetic was in 1965. 40 years later, when she passed away in 2005, her prosthetics were still functioning. That’s amazing work, especially for being the first!
This process is very similar in the way that bone fractures heal. Except instead of healing with itself, it bonds chemically to the metal. It is an incredibly fascinating mechanism, which can even transfer senses like touch. The vibration transfers to the bone and you perceive this into the prosthetic.
A Sturdy Replacement
This connection allows for the implantation to be highly localized, and to not affect unnecessary teeth. While this of course does mean a deeper surgery into the bone of the jaw itself, lasting trauma is more minimal than that of a bridge. We do not have the ability to regrow dentin, so keeping as much of our healthy tissue as possible is ideal!
ABOUT YOUR CERRITOS, CA, ORAL SURGEON:
Dr. Shawn Hofkes and the staff at Cerritos Dental Surgery are highly qualified to address complex issues, including those that require oral surgery to correct. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
