If you are missing one or more teeth, the effect on your emotional state can be profound. Many in studies done over the last decade have indicated that their social life has been impacted by their missing teeth. Smiles4OC in Costa Mesa believes each of our patients deserves a healthy and happy life. Missing teeth impact not just your psychological health but can have detrimental effects on your physical health as well. Many people shy away from the idea of dentures. That’s why we offer teeth implants. Dental implants offer patients a superior tooth replacement method.

What dental implants are:

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into your jawbone. Titanium is used as the body accepts it. As the bone heals around the post in a process called osseointegration, it stabilizes it in place. This post is then used as the base to secure natural looking crowns as tooth replacements.

The history of dental implants:

Many people haven’t heard of teeth implants. When they think of tooth replacement methods, dentures and bridges are the solution they know. While for many years dentures were the only option, the last few decades have seen the emergence of dental implants. These are now considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. The history of implants can be traced back thousands of years however. In China, 4000 years ago, pegs fashioned from bamboo were used to replace teeth. An Egyptian ruler, from 3000 years ago, had a copper post inserted into his upper jaw bone. And in a Celtic grave, located in France, a 2300-year-old iron false tooth was found. It’s believed this iron tooth was placed post death. Skulls from over a thousand years ago have been found where teeth were replaced by all types of materials, from sea shells to stone materials such as jade.

However, actual developments in dental implants didn’t start until many centuries later. In the 1700s, some researchers experimented with gold and alloys, though they often had dismal results. Other attempts in the 1800s followed with poor results as well. The issue was the body often rejected the foreign material being used in the jawbone. In 1952, this issue began to be resolved when an orthopedic surgeon accidentally discovered that titanium would fuse with the bone, becoming part of the actual bone structure. This surgeon, named Brånemark, placed the first titanium dental implant. The decades since have seen the procedure greatly improved through research and drive for perfect results. Dental implants have now become a viable and highly successful tooth replacement method.

Benefits of dental implants:

• Natural looking: Because of the way an implant is secured in your mouth, it creates a tooth replacement that functions just like a natural tooth would.
• Comfortable: Unlike dentures, implants become a natural part of the structure of your mouth, eliminating discomfort.
• Improved oral health: Dental bridges require reducing the surrounding healthy teeth. Implants don’t require any interference with existing teeth. This leaves more of your natural teeth intact.
• Easy to care for: Dental implants are a part of your mouth. As such, they require the twice daily brushing and once daily flossing that your natural teeth do. This means there’s no special routine necessary to keep your mouth healthy and your implants looking good.
• Long-term solution: Most adults find that their implants last the remainder of their lifetime with good care. Dentures often need to be replaced every decade or so.
• Enhanced self-esteem: Because of the natural look and function of dental implants, many people report a higher sense of self-confidence.

Who is a candidate for the placement of dental implants?

Dental implants are just one of several methods of replacing missing teeth. At our practice, our professional staff can assess one’s smile to determine if they are a proper candidate for this method of tooth replacement. Dental implants are highly desirable for many reasons, but may not be right for some of our patients. Those considering implants should have sufficient bone in the jaw to ensure successful placement. This is determined through the use of x-rays, which allow the dentist to see the bone structure and plan the procedure. Once implants are in place, patients will notice an increase in the bone in the area due to osseointegration. Patients without sufficient bone in the jaw who are serious about having implants placed may want to ask about bone grafting procedures to prepare the area for implants. This is an extra cost, but it may allow patients to achieve the smile of their dreams with the use of implants.

How are dental implants used in dentistry?

There are many ways in which our team may utilize a dental implant. The first is to replace a single tooth. The implant is put into the bone of the jaw, osseointegration holds it in place, and then the abutment of the implant is covered with a full dental crown to function and appear as a natural tooth. The second method of using a dental implant is to anchor a dental bridge. Bridges require support on each end, and when patients are missing several teeth, they can utilize a dental implant on one or both sides to provide a foundation for the placement of a bridge. Third, dental implants are used along the dental arch to stabilize full dentures. The dentist will place several implants along the arch, and then the full denture is made to fit over the implants for superior strength and durability.

Are you interested in learning more about dental implants and other tooth replacement solutions?

Don’t let missing teeth hold you back anymore! A restored smile will change the way you interact with the world around you daily. Change the first impression you leave on others. Call Smiles4OC today to get started on the smile you deserve! We look forward to meeting you and answering all the questions you might have about how to proceed. You can call us at (714) 557-0700 . Our practice is conveniently located at 1530 Baker Street, Suite J in Costa Mesa, California. Drs. Rolfes, Rolfes, and Do have decades of combined experience in general and cosmetic dentistry, and encourage patients to take the first step in enhancing their smiles with our professional team.

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