Patients in and around the Redlands, CA area who are faced with missing teeth may wish to speak to a professional about permanent options for replacing them. Dr. Terry Vines is a dentist in Redlands, CA who is pleased to provide several solutions for restoring teeth, including the popular choice of dental implants.
UNDERSTANDING DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dr. Terry Vines may recommend dental implants for many patients who are missing one or more teeth. These versatile restorations can work in a variety of ways to help patients achieve the smile they used to have. Dental implants are titanium posts that the dentist places into the bone of the jaw with oral surgery. Then, the implant is used as the foundation for different restorations, including:
This restoration is highly desirable for many reasons. The dental implant is known to last a lifetime, thanks to the stimulation of bone around the implant that holds it firmly in place. This provides a sturdy foundation for the tooth restoration.
When patients take care of their smile, they can avoid bone loss and help maintain the quality of not only the restorations in their smile, but also their natural teeth. Dental implants are versatile and useful for patients in many situations, and Dr. Terry Vines discusses this option with patients and conducts a thorough examination to determine if they are appropriate candidates.
DETERMINING CANDIDACY
In order to be considered a candidate for dental implants, a series of x-rays is often done to check the health of the bone and determine if it can fully support a dental implant. While the implant itself can stimulate bone growth, enough healthy bone still needs to be in place to start the process of osseointegration, or fusing of the jaw bone with the implant.
Patients should have a smile that is otherwise healthy and free from cavities and periodontal disease, which can put the dental implant at risk of not staying in place over time. Patients who are not candidates for dental implants may need to consider alternative restorations for replacing their missing teeth.
WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE?
Patients are interested in dental implants but are not proper candidates for one or more reasons will be offered alternative treatment options at Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry. This may include dental bridges or partial dentures, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Dental bridges are more permanently placed than dentures, but often cost more than partial dentures. The dentist will discuss the pros and cons of the treatment options with patients to determine which solution may be best for their unique situation.
Patients who are serious about placing dental implants may also ask about bone grafting to prepare the jaw for the restoration instead. However, patients should be aware that a bone graft takes extra time and expense to achieve.
CALL THE TEAM TODAY TO DISCUSS PERMANENT TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
At Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry, Dr. Terry Vines and his team are here to offer patients the best solutions for their smiles. If you want to discuss the advantages of dental implants with our staff, we welcome you to our practice in Redlands, CA. The front office team can be reached by calling [phone] to arrange your dental appointment.