09
Apr
Understanding the Benefits of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can take a huge toll on how well you eat your food, your self-confidence when you smile, and even how you pronounce words when speaking. Fortunately, modern dental technology has given us options like dental implants from Dr. Cheng Zhu at Freedom Dental in Fairfield, California. Let’s dive in and answer the most common questions about the benefits of dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots topped by a porcelain crown. This innovative solution completely replaces a missing tooth. Each implant consists of three components: a small titanium post that is embedded directly into your jawbone, a small abutment that screws onto the post, and a porcelain crown to serve as the part that’s visible in your smile.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dr. Zhu places the dental implant’s titanium post into your jawbone in a surgical procedure. Titanium fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. The healing and fusing process takes a few months, then it’s capped off with the porcelain crown. Because of the biological connection between the jawbone and the titanium, dental implants function nearly identically to natural teeth.
What Are the Oral Health Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants do more than replace teeth to restore your smile and functionality. You’ll also have these benefits:
- Prevents bone loss by providing jaw stimulation
- Helps to maintain your natural facial structure
- Improve chewing and bite function
- Clearer speech when compared to removable dentures
- Support the surrounding teeth to prevent shifting
- Reduce gum disease risk caused by gaps
- Better oral hygiene routine because they’re like your natural teeth
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a good candidate if you’re missing one tooth—or multiple teeth—and meet other criteria. To get dental implants, you need to have healthy gums and good bone density in your jaw.
People who get dental implants need to expect to make lifestyle changes. For example, dental implants are more effective in nonsmokers. Also, patients with diabetes will have better implant success if their diabetes is controlled.
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Why Should I Consider Dental Implants Instead of Dentures or Bridges?
Dentures tend to slip and must be put in with adhesives or suction. Also, it takes time to learn how to eat with dentures. These problems disappear with dental implants because they function exactly like your natural teeth. Also important, dentures don’t provide jawbone stimulation, and implants do. For bridges, you can consider an implant-supported bridge if you’re missing more than one tooth in a row.
What Is the Dental Implants Process at Your Office?
- At your initial consultation, Dr. Zhu will evaluate your gums and jawbone to ensure dental implants work for you.
- Digital X-rays are taken to assess your bone structure and plan the implant placement.
- Â The titanium post is surgically placed into your jawbone.
- The implant will heal over three or more months, and osseointegration will occur.
- The abutment is connected to support the crown.
- A custom-made porcelain crown is attached securely.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment with a Dentist That Does Implants?
Scheduling a consultation with a trusted implant provider like Dr. Cheng Zhu at Freedom Dental in Fairfield, CA, is simple. Call (707) 416-0626 today to schedule your consultation, or use our online form to book an appointment.
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Dr. Cheng Zhu - Freedom Dental
Cheng Zhu, DMD, leads Fairfield Dental and offers safe and effective services that support optimal comfort, healing, and an exceptional patient experience.Whether you need a crown, emergency care, implants, an impacted wisdom tooth extraction, or full-mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Zhu can help. A former pharmacist who can support your oral and overall health, he is one of the few dentists licensed in California to provide intravenous sedation to ease dental anxiety.
Dr. Zhu is trained and equipped to provide many advanced surgical options, eliminating the need to refer patients to other experts. Fairfield, California, patients trust the caring, compassionate, and affordable family dental care the team offers.