Dental Implants in Victorville, CA
Dental implants offer individuals a permanently secured tooth replacement option. When dental implants are placed by an experienced implant dentist, the results closely mimic the patient’s natural teeth, therefore, once placed, dental implants are virtually undetectable.
Who Should Consider Having Dental Implants in Victorville?
Teens and young adults who are missing a tooth or several teeth should consider dental implants. Even an individual who already wears a removable tooth-replacement device, such as a partial or a flipper, should consider a more permanent solution like dental implants.
Dental implants in Victorville are an option for anyone who has suffered the loss of one or more permanent teeth. As you age, the risks increase that you may lose a tooth to decay or damage. When that happens, it’s important to fill the gap so that the other teeth don’t fall into misalignment. While there are other options like bridges and dentures, dental implants offer an esthetically pleasing, permanent solution to missing teeth.
Are You a Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for dental implants. If your tooth loss was due to bone decay, you may not have sufficient jaw bone to support the dental implant. In some cases, this can be helped with bone replacement therapy. Your dental implant dentist in Victorville will be able to tell if you would be a good candidate for dental implants.
With Time, Removable Prostheses Feel Loose
Although prostheses like flippers and partials have been used for years to replace missing teeth, with time, these devices start feeling unstable. This instability occurs due to changes in the jawbone and gingival tissue (aka gum tissue).
Understanding Jawbone Resorption
Jawbone resorption occurs because the bone is no longer being stimulated by the root of the missing tooth. As resorption occurs, the bone shrinks. Therefore, the fit of the prosthesis no longer matches the specific characteristics of the wearer’s jawbone and gumline. This bone and gum shrinkage is what causes the device to become unstable.
Dental Implants Prevent Jawbone Resorption
Since dental implants essentially replace the root of the missing tooth, the bone is still stimulated, so the body does not resorb it.
The Parts of a Dental Implant
The type of implant a dentist chooses for a patient is based on the specific characteristics of his or her jawbone. Since Dr. Paul Bell concentrates on treating children, teens, and young adults, their jawbones are very strong, so he chooses the implant that is designed for insertion into the jawbone (i.e., the endosteal implant).
An endosteal dental implant consists of:
- A titanium screw, which is inserted into the jawbone.
- A crown, which replaces the visible portion of the tooth.
- An abutment is used to close the gap between the crown and the titanium screw.
Osseointegration
The endosteal dental implant usually consists of titanium. Titanium has a unique ability in that it can fuse with bone. Once the implants are in place, a process called osseointegration begins. This process involves the titanium and the bone fusing together. Once the fusion is complete, the screw is a permanent part of the jawbone. Osseointegration usually takes from four to six months.
Do Dental Implants Require Surgery?
Due to the nature of dental implants, oral surgery is part of the procedure. However, unlike other types of surgeries, you won’t have to be completely anesthetized to receive a dental implant. You can have the procedure done at the offices of Dr. Paul Bell. There’s no need to be admitted to a hospital or anything like that.
Dental Implants in Victorville are Permanent and Safe
The safety of dental implants in Victorville has been firmly established. Dental implants offer a safe and permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth.
To learn more about the specifics of dental implants and find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment, contact us today.
If you are a teen or young adult in the Victorville, California, area and you are missing a tooth, let Dr. Paul Bell determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant. By replacing the tooth as quickly as possible, you limit the amount of jawbone lost to resorption. Contact Dr. Bell today to schedule a consultation.