| A missing
tooth? |
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Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction
is not the end of the matter. When a tooth
is missing, the resulting gap will allow nearby
teeth to tilt or drift from their normal position,
and the teeth above the gap will move downward.
Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the
changed positions of these teeth can lead
to severe bite problems causing jaw pain and
headaches.
Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other
teeth in their normal position. This can be
done by our TRUST DENTAL CARE TIJUANA
with a fixed bridge. This treatment offers
a good functional and cosmetic result.
Please call at 619-446-6345 or 213-291-3518
or 664-685-7020( From Tijuana/ Mexico)
with any questions you may have about the
benefits of replacing missing teeth with bridges.
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| Commonly asked questions about dental implants |
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Before you decide a course of action, we should consider answering these simple questions:
- What is a dental implant?
- What is the dental implant process like?
- How many dental implants should be placed?
- Who should you see about getting dental implants?
- Are there different types of dental implants?
When you are more knowledgeable about your implant treatment, you will be able to have more input to give us and better your chances of a successful treatment outcome with us.
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| What is a dental implant? |
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A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Dental implants are the most natural replacement
for a missing tooth.
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| What is the dental implant process like? |
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Dental Offices begin with a thorough evaluation
of the patient's medical and dental history,
and a full clinical examination of the entire
mouth and missing tooth area. The clinical exam
should also include specific X-rays.
After assessing the patient, a comprehensive treatment plan can be devised. From that point, implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia.
The length of the healing time is based on the quality and quantity of bone, as well as the type of implant placed. After adequate healing is allowed to occur, the implant can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture.
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| How many dental implants should be placed? |
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This is a question that should be determined
during the treatment plan. A good rule-of-thumb
is to place one implant for each tooth replaced.
Other decisive factors for the number of implants
needed for success is the quality and quantity
of the patient's bone. Equally as important
are the existing anatomy of the bone and the
financial resources of the patient.
Placing enough implants to restore teeth
is vitally important to the long-term success
of the restoration. Simply stated, the most
costly mistake is to have an implant fail
because not enough implants are placed to
support the teeth. If the number of implants
is limited due to financial constraints of
the patient, then the implant treatment should
be avoided or the type of restoration must
be altered.
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| Replace missing teeth with dental implants |
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"Well, you know Doc, it's just a back tooth.
No one will see it so I'll just get rid of it.
It's not going to make a difference."
The plain truth is that it will make a difference.
The loss of just a single tooth can set a course
that can destroy an entire mouth. "Well, if
that's true, tell me more. I sure don't want
to lose the front ones that I smile with."
T eeth will drift and tip into a space that
is created by missing teeth. Just like two gears
of a car that are not properly aligned, pretty
soon you've got a whole lot of problems.
"Well, I don't like that. What can I do?" If
it sounds like I've heard this conversation
a few times, you're right. If we are going to
keep a patient happy, we need to provide options
at this point.
D ental implant, this is the replacement of
a tooth with a false root that is surgically
placed. Then carefully constructs a dental crown
to replace the missing tooth, to prevent teeth
from shifting and thereby causing further tooth
loss.
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| Who should you see about getting dental implants? |
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When getting dental implants, you should select
a dentist or dental team with in-depth knowledge
and prior experience with all aspects of the
treatment.
It is also important to know that implant
treatment consists of two components: a surgical
phase and a restorative phase.
Traditionally, a dental surgeon, like an oral
surgeon or a periodontist, performs the surgical
component. A general dentist, or prosthodontist
and laboratory technician performs the restorative
component. However, as implant dentistry has
become more sophisticated, sometimes a dentist
who specializes in restorative dentistry conducts
the entire procedure.
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| Dental implant technology |
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The technology has been around for decades.
In fact, some patients in the Los Angeles area
have had dental implants for more than 40 years.
Hundreds of thousands of dental implants have
been inserted with more than a 90% success rate.
All other metal implants in the body (including
hips and knees) are the result of the dental
implant technology.
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| Are there different types of dental implants? |
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Yes, several types are available. The American Dental Association considers both the endosteal and the subperiosteal implants to be acceptable.
An important factor for selection is to determine
whether your jawbone can adequately support
the implant. Most dental implants placed today
are endosteal root form fixtures (similar to
a man-made tooth root).
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| Who should you see about getting dental implants? |
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In the case of a single missing tooth, a dental implant can be placed in the jawbone area of the missing tooth. The implant will serve as a replacement for a tooth root and an individual crown. The total apparatus is referred to as a single-tooth implant crown.
Once in place, the implant crown will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. They are cleaned and flossed just like natural teeth, and best of all, they do not require any special tools to clean around them like bridges. Although dental implants will not decay, they require impeccable oral hygiene.
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