If you are thinking about the possibility of having dental implants for a smile replacement, you probably have a lot of questions! And while we always love to see you at the office, some of these questions may arise later on, when you’re at home.
This is completely understandable, as this is a serious decision that impacts your future. You should be as knowledgeable as you can be about the subject before undertaking any form of surgery, either cosmetic or medical. So today, your Cerritos, CA dentist brings up some common questions about implants. Both the placement process and maintenance can seem overwhelming, so let us break it down for you!
How Do They Work?
A dental professional places a threaded titanium post within the bone of the jaw. This material bonds with our body in a unique way known as osseointegration. Because of this, our immune system protects the metal as being part of our own body rather than a foreign object.
This creates a stable foundation for the placement of a dental prosthetic. Then, if there is a concern with your new tooth, that prosthetic is replaceable. Dental implants provide decades of future use, as your most stable aspect of your smile.
How Many Teeth Can They Support?
The beauty of this technology is in its structural support and its customizability. We can now replace anywhere from single-tooth situations to entire mouths. Implant-supported dentures provide a more secure option than traditional methods. No longer necessary are messy adhesives! These attached directly to these posts, and they do not cover the roof of your mouth.
Can They Help Bone Loss?
The placement of a titanium post can provide the best method of ensuring that you are able to keep your jawbone full and your profile appearance the same. By keeping an object in place, your body recognizes the area to be fully healthy. So it keeps sending resources to that location, unlike with some other methods.
Are They Hard To Maintain?
Once you have completed the necessary recovery time, and you have fully healed, you will need to deal with the daily maintenance of these new prosthetics. Always speak with your trained oral health care professional about your specific smile in its recovery.
But once you heal, your daily oral health care regimen will not differ much from that of a naturally healthy mouth! This certainly is less different than cleaning and housing traditional dentures. You should be able to clean them just like before.
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.
