Enhance the appearance and health of your teeth with dental implants in Thousand Oaks, Texas. Dental implants are a dazzling addition to any smile and can significantly improve the health of your teeth and gums. Dr. Thompson at Thousand Oaks Dental specializes in the placement of dental implants for patients across Thousand Oaks, Texas.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace an entire tooth from the tooth’s root to its crown. A dental implant has three main parts: the dental implant post, the abutment, and the attachment. The post is titanium and sits in the jawbone under the gums. Then the next part of the implant is the abutment. The abutment is the connection between the post and the attachment. Lastly, the attachment is the visible part of the dental implant. If you are only missing one tooth, you probably will have a dental crown attachment. If you miss multiple teeth, you may have a dental bridge or denture dental implant. If you miss an entire set of teeth, you may receive a procedure called All-on-4. Like dentures, All-on-4 replaces many teeth by connecting a denture-like tooth replacement to four or five implants.
What are Dental Implants Made of?
The inner portion of the dental implant is made of titanium. This part of the implant sits in your gums and jawbone. It is made of titanium because this material allows the bone to grow around it, and it is unlikely the jaw bone will reject it. The visible part, the dental bridge, crown, or denture, is typically made of porcelain. This material is durable and stain-resistant.
How Are They Placed?
Dental implants in Thousand Oaks are placed with dental implant surgery. First, we place the implant in the jawbone. Once this is done, you will wait a few weeks to months until your dentist can identify the abutment and attachment. This waiting period is necessary to ensure that the implant is secured in the jawbone. The overall process of getting a dental implant is a few months, but the results can last a lifetime.
How Do I Take Care of Them?
At Thousand Oaks Dental, Dr. Thompson recommends that patients care for their implants similar to how they care for their natural teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, there is no need for new dental tools and equipment. Follow your regular oral health routine. Brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice a day to remove debris, bacteria, and plaque from everyday life. Then, visit Thousand Oaks Dental every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. At this appointment, we will also observe the health of your implant and ensure that it does not need any adjustments.
What are the Advantages?
There are several advantages that patients can enjoy when they get dental implants. First, is that if you do not replace a missing tooth right away, you may experience reabsorption. If the bone under the jawline is not stimulated, you will experience bone loss. Using a dental implant decreases potential bone loss. Instead of dental implants, patients with a dental bridge often experience reabsorption because there is nothing to stimulate the jawbone.
Another advantage of dental implants is that patients can eat the foods they like. With traditional dentures to replace an entire set of teeth, patients should avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods. However, with dental implants, patients can enjoy any food they like without the worry of harming their implants.
Dental implants in Thousand Oaks, Texas, are now available for patients of Thousand Oaks Dental. We work hard to help our patients receive their dream smiles at our office. For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, call our office.