Replacing All of Your Teeth in West Hollywood
Injury, decay, or disease all wreak havoc on your teeth. Unfortunately, while restorative dental treatments like fillings and root canals can repair many dental conditions, there may come a time when the teeth can no longer be saved.
If you have lost many or all of your teeth, you may be considering removable dentures. Dentures look like natural teeth, and they restore your ability to chew and speak regularly. Unfortunately, while there are many positives to dentures, there are also many negatives.
Replacing all of your teeth with implants offers a long-lasting, reliable, and comfortable alternative to removable dentures.
What Are Dental Implants?
These implants are screw-like titanium or zirconium posts that are inserted into the jawbone. These posts—known as implants—eventually bond to the bone and become a new, artificial tooth root. Crowns are attached to these implants where they become natural-looking and functioning teeth.
Why Should I Choose Dental Implants for All of My Teeth?
You have several tooth replacement options, including dentures and partial dentures.
Dental implants restore dental aesthetics and allow you to eat and speak comfortably. These never need to be removed. Instead, they are a permanent tooth-like fixture in your mouth, and you take care of your implants just as you would take care of your natural teeth.
Since dental implants replace the tooth root and the natural tooth, they preserve bone structure, which allows for the strongest and most reliable tooth replacement.
Why Are Implants Better Than Dentures?
While dentures are often considered to be the more cost-effective option, they can never match the look, feel, or function of dental implants.
Dentures are removed and cleaned every night before they are reattached the following morning with an adhesive.
When implants replace your tooth roots, they preserve the bone. Dentures do not have this ability, and patients with dentures often experience an accelerated deterioration or recession of the jawbone.
Dentures generally do not provide the same comfort or chewing ability as implants. Sticky foods are not recommended with dentures, as food particles can become trapped beneath the dentures. This is uncomfortable and can lead to sores and odors.
How Can I Replace All of My Teeth With Implants?
Replacing your teeth with dental implants is a gradual procedure that is completed over several months.
This process includes:
- Inserting titanium posts into the jawbone
- Allowing the posts to bond to the bone
- Attaching an abutment/extension onto the implants
- Placing tooth-like crown restorations on the implants
Step One: Inserting the Implants
Implants replace the root of the tooth to provide structure and stability, which protects the jaw bones from deterioration.
Implants will be inserted throughout your mouth that will become the foundation for your new smile. These titanium posts are placed beneath your gum line, where they will be invisible.
Step 2: Implant Bonding
The implants fuse to the bone over the following two to six months. During this time, temporary restorations can be worn that provide aesthetics, comfort, and chewing ability.
Step 3: Attaching the Abutments / Extensions
Often, abutments/extensions are needed once the implants have bonded to the bone. These extensions attach to the implants and give the crowns (teeth) a strong foundation to connect to.
Step 4: Placing the Crowns (Teeth)
Finally, porcelain tooth-like crowns are attached to the abutments/extensions. These crowns will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
How Can I Maintain My Dental Implant Results?
Your dental implants—whether you have a single implant or a whole smile—act as natural teeth, and they need to be maintained just like your natural teeth.
Proper oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and regular trips to your dentist are essential to keeping your implants healthy and your smile beautiful.
How Can I Learn More About Dental Implants?
If you have lost multiple or all of your teeth, replacing all of your teeth with dental implants can restore a natural-looking, healthy smile. Contact our offices today to set up a consultation and start your implant process.
Dr. Salamati performs single tooth, multiple, and full-mouth dental implants for patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles, California.
