How Does An Implant Compare to a Real Tooth? - oral surgeon Livermore

How Does An Implant Compare to a Real Tooth?
Older man in a dental chair holding up a hand mirror and looking at his new dental implants at Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center in Livermore, CA

Older man in a dental chair holding up a hand mirror and looking at his new dental implants at Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center in Livermore, CA

When a tooth is lost, the search for a suitable replacement begins. Among the options available, dental implants stand out as the solution that most closely resemble natural teeth. Opting for a dental implant procedure can provide you with an independent and fully functional replacement tooth, delivering numerous benefits for your oral and bone health. At Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center, we initiate this process with a comprehensive dental examination to understand your unique needs, guiding you through a tailored treatment plan that aligns with your dental, medical, and personal requirements.

Exploring Restoration Options

Selecting the right tooth replacement solution entails considering a range of factors. Ideally, you want your replacement tooth to not only look and feel natural but also promote your oral health while preserving the integrity of your jawbone. Traditional tooth replacement methods can partially meet some of these criteria, but dental implants emerge as the comprehensive choice that excels in all aspects.

Traditional Tooth Replacement

Conventional tooth replacement options encompass dental bridges, partial dentures, or full denture devices. While they can be customized to mimic the appearance of natural teeth and enhance your dental functionality compared to having no tooth replacement, their positive impact on oral health is noteworthy. Traditional replacements prevent adjacent teeth from shifting and establish a stable framework for the tooth on the opposing arch to make contact with. Nevertheless, the limitation of these traditional options lies in their retention mechanism. Dental bridges and partial dentures rely on neighboring teeth for support, either through capping adjacent teeth or using clasps. In contrast, full dentures adhere through methods such as suction or adhesive. While these retention mechanisms are viable, they are far from the ideal solution.

Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants

Dental implants distinguish themselves as more than mere tooth replacements; they replicate natural tooth roots. Replacing one or more teeth with dental implants enables us to anchor dental appliances, bridges, partial or full dentures directly to the jawbone. The surgical placement of dental implants enables the recreation of the same structural foundation that your natural teeth employ.

An implant typically consists of a titanium or zirconium rod with threads at one end and a head at the other, resembling a screw in both size and shape. Its dimensions vary to suit the specific requirements of the replacement. The threaded end is surgically implanted into the jawbone. A natural healing process, known as osseointegration, takes place, during which the bone regrows around the threads, forming a bond between implant and bone.

Once the implant is firmly integrated, we can securely attach the respective dental appliance to the head. The outcome is the establishment of a new, independent root system that doesn't necessitate the alteration or adjustment of adjacent teeth for support. This replacement tooth can effectively transmit energy to the bone, bolstering bone health and offering a sensation akin to that of your natural teeth.

Dental implants can replace just one missing tooth with a single tooth implant. If you have more than one missing tooth, a multiple tooth implant can be used.

Dental Implants Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery

Dental implants are the best tooth restoration option and look the most like your natural teeth. Contact us today if you'd like to learn more about dental implants.