Since their successful introduction to the dental market in the 1980's, dental implants have remained the "new kid on the block" and for good reason: there simply hasn't been a newer tooth replacement technology that competes! Nowadays, if you need one or more teeth replaced, the standard recommendations of dentists in Wilmington CA are dental implants, because their functionality, lifespan, comfort and aesthetics go uncontested.
Here to help us understand what dental implants are, how they work and why they are the star performers in the dental industry is an experienced Wilmington cosmetic dentist. All of our questions will be answered so that you, the reader, can be more informed about your teeth replacement options should you ever need to know what they are.
Let's get started!
Question: Let's start with a simple explanation of what dental implants are and who could benefit from them. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Answer: "Dental implants are devices used to replace missing teeth. They look like tiny metal screws and are placed in the jawbone during a surgical procedure where they will assume the function of a tooth root. If the patient only needs one tooth replaced, we can attach a very natural-looking ceramic crown to the top of the implant. If the patient needs several teeth or even all of his or her teeth replaced, we can make use of a prosthetic dental bridge, which looks like a complete set of teeth. The dental implants themselves are not typically not visible above the gum line and they provide support for an aesthetic and very real looking replacement tooth or teeth," explains the cosmetic dentist in Wilmington.
"In terms of who might benefit from dental implants... well, anyone who has lost one or more of his or her teeth to decay or accidental trauma can be considered a candidate for implant surgery. As long as the jawbone is fully matured and as long as there is sufficient bone volume in the jaw, we can typically move ahead with the procedure."
Question: Really? Anyone can be considered a candidate? Are there any cases you've had to turn away? And if so, what were the reasons?
Answer: "You know, we always try our very best to work with all patients regardless of how deteriorated their oral health is. Actually, that's rarely a problem - we can work with patients with advanced gum disease and with advanced jawbone atrophy. There are solutions to those problems that can eventually see those patients receiving dental implants," explains the cosmetic dentist in Wilmington.
"The problem arises when a patient isn't a good candidate for the surgery itself, which may require sedation. Heart disease and respiratory conditions, as well as bone, blood and bleeding disorders can make surgery too risky to be considered a safe option. Even so, we'll consult with the patient's treating physician, but if he or she deems surgery too risky, we won't proceed. The patient's safety is absolute priority."
Question: What about age? A lot of Wilmington residents are under the impression that they're "too old" for new teeth.
Answer: "This is an unfortunate misconception, because age alone is never a factor," says the Wilmington cosmetic dentist. The only thing we consider is a patient's oral and general health. We've given patients who are in their 80's and 90's beautiful new teeth with dental implants. If you're essentially healthy and can be considered a candidate for surgery, you can be considered a candidate for dental implants."
Stay Tuned for Part 2
To find out more about dental implants and the various treatments available to Wilmington residents, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.
Dr. Giri Palani is a general and dental implant dentist who has been serving Palos Verdes CA and the surrounding communities, including Wilmington, for many years now. He adopts a holistic approach to providing patients with the dental care they need in order to keep their teeth and gums healthy and beautiful. Dr. Palani,
highly qualified dentist in Wilmington CA has received advanced training from some of the world's most respected and prestigious medical facilities.
