dental-implant-blog

Dental implants are the most effective and efficient treatment for tooth loss

Whether you’ve lost a tooth or you’ve lost teeth, implant dentistry is the healthiest treatment. Other forms of tooth replacement treatment only replace the crown of your tooth, neglecting the health of your jawbone. When you lose a tooth the jawbone that ‘holds’ the bone in place starts to atrophy. This happens as soon as you lose a tooth. The sooner you replace a missing tooth the better it is for your oral health. The longer you leave the gap the more the bone atrophies and this can—over a considerable period of time—lead to further tooth loss. Once this jawbone atrophies it does not grow back. The only thing that can be done is either bone grafting or bone augmentation surgery to give you adequate jawbone for implant dentistry. If you are wondering if it would be easier to just get dentures instead, think about this: without a tooth root, artificial or not, to support your jawbone, the bone will atrophy. It’s why you may have noticed people with dentures/missing teeth have that sunken appearance.

Dental implant treatment at Curtis Couch D.D.S

At our Thousand Oaks dental practice we offer a range of dental treatments to give you the best results. From cosmetic to restorative we can help you achieve a healthy, natural-looking smile. When you visit Curtis Couch D.D.S for your initial consultation, your oral health will be assessed and we will discuss with you the nature of implant dentistry. The treatment takes between 4 to 6 months. The length of treatment depends on a number of factors. For instance:
  • Where the implant is placed. If it’s placed in the upper jaw it will take longer than if it’s placed in the lower jaw.
  • State of your oral health.
  • State of your general health.
  • Your body’s natural ability to heal.
  • If you are a smoker. This can adversely affect treatment time, because smoking does affect your body’s natural ability to heal.
The process of your jaw fusing to the dental implant—known as osseointegration takes at least 3 months. When your jaw has fused around the implant you will have a strong and sturdy tooth root for the porcelain restoration to be attached. At the end of the treatment you will have a whole tooth replacement that will look and feel like a natural tooth.

Taking care of your dental implants

While dental implants are not susceptible to decay, they can be affected by gum disease. Looking after your prosthetic tooth is as simple as looking after your natural teeth. You still need to brush, floss and visit the dentist every six months. The dental implant itself will – in the majority of cases – last for life. The restoration attached (dental crown, bridge or denture) usually lasts around 10 to 15 years depending on how well you look after them. If you are missing a tooth, or teeth, we strongly recommend you visit us at our Thousand Oaks dental practice for a consultation. We will assess your oral health and determine what the best course of treatment for you is. To find out more about how Curtis Couch D.D.S in Thousand Oaks can help you, or to make an appointment, please contact us today.