Living with an incomplete smile is, for many people, a daily struggle. Tooth loss obviously creates aesthetic issues, but it can also destabilize the health of the patient’s smile.
That is why our Mill Valley dentists are committed to offering restorative, tooth replacement treatments that look great, and work to support the patient’s oral health. One such treatment is the dental implant.
A dental implant is a replacement tooth that is designed to mimic the structure and appearance of a natural tooth. The primary thing that sets a dental implant apart from other replacement teeth—like bridges and dentures—is that the dental implant has a titanium root that extends into the patient’s jawbone. This root, which is shaped like a screw or a post, serves the function of the missing natural tooth root.
As you would imagine, the titanium root of the implant keeps the dental implant replacement tooth in place permanently. It also helps to prevent the patient’s remaining natural teeth from shifting along the gum line. Additionally, the implant root helps to bolster and support the patient’s natural jawbone tissue.
In many cases, dental implants are used individually to replace specific missing teeth. So, one dental implant replaces one tooth. However, our dental team can also use a handful of dental implant roots to permanently anchor larger dental prostheses, like dentures. In these situations, our team will place titanium roots in a few strategically selected spots along the gum line. When you meet with our dental team, we’ll assess your smile, and give you a better idea of what type of tooth replacement treatment might be right for your situation.
The dental implant is far and away the most state-of-the-art tooth replacement option available today. These attractive, permanent, and stable replacement teeth are as close to new natural teeth as you can get!
If you want to learn more about all of your tooth replacement options, including dental implants, please don’t hesitate to contact our Mill Valley dental implant dentists, either by phone or through the Contact Us page on our site.