Implants

If you need to replace one or more teeth, dental implants are an excellent option and well worth consideration. Implant dentistry is an area of specialty for Sarah Elghor, DDS, of Elghor Dental Studio in San Diego, California. If you’d like to explore this treatment option in greater detail, booking a visit takes just moments online, or feel free to call.

Why should missing teeth be replaced?

While a gap in your smile can certainly make it hard to feel confident about your appearance, missing teeth can cause serious dental health issues. 

The alignment of your teeth provides support and stability within your bite. When you lose a tooth, you also lose that support. This can lead to undue pressure on adjacent teeth when you bite or chew, which can lead to additional tooth loss. 

Each natural tooth anchors into the underlying bone tissue. When you bite down or chew, the bone receives the stimulation needed to remain healthy and strong. Losing a tooth means losing that stimulation, and your bone can begin to slowly wear away, weakening the connection with your remaining teeth.   

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants work by replacing both the root and crown portion of a missing tooth with artificial materials. You can have individual dental implants or a system that replaces an entire upper or lower span of missing teeth. 

In the case of individual implants, a metal post is secured within your jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth. This oral surgery procedure is followed by a period of healing to allow your bone to fuse with the implanted post. Once a secure hold is established, you return to have an artificial crown attached to the post, which completes the restoration. 

In the case of fixed implant dentures, an entire upper or lower arch of artificial teeth is anchored to several implanted posts. This allows you to restore your smile without having an abundance of individual implants. 

Do I need to do anything special to care for dental implants?

Once your implants are in place, they’ll look and function much like your natural teeth. While dental implants aren’t at risk for decay, it’s important to maintain a solid dental hygiene routine to preserve healthy gums and bone tissue. 

Advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) can lead to bone loss, which can in turn weaken your dental implants. Dr. Elghor checks your implants during routine dental exams, so be sure to stay on schedule for these important visits. 

Book a face-to-face consultation online or by phone today to get more information about dental implants and how they can improve your dental health.