Dental implant restoration explained

At the office of James M. Moran DDS, we understand that losing natural teeth has both a physical and emotional impact on a person. Without natural teeth, simple tasks like chewing and speaking can become difficult. Individuals often become embarrassed by the gaps in the smile, leading to low self-esteem and isolation. Replacing missing teeth is important to improve the smile’s health and the patient’s confidence. We offer several replacement options, with the most durable and comprehensive being dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Implants are tiny, rod-like cylinders that replace the natural tooth root. They are designed to support dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Because dental implants provide stability down to the bone like natural teeth, patients can chew, speak, and smile with ease and confidence.

Anatomy of dental implants

To understand dental implants, it’s important to understand the anatomy of a tooth. When you smile, you only see a portion of the natural tooth. The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. Beneath the gums lies the tooth’s root, which is the lifeline of the tooth and provides support and structure.

The dental implant itself is the rod that is inserted into the bone. This is considered the new tooth “root.” In many cases, a connector called an abutment is attached to the implant. Some dental implants are one piece and include the abutment already attached.

Above the gumline, we replace the visible portion of the tooth with either a crown, bridge, or dentures, depending on how many teeth are missing.

Benefits of dental implants

• Long lasting – dental implants can last forever with proper oral hygiene
• Allows patient chew comfortable
• Restores the beauty of the smile
• More comfortable and durable than alternatives such as standalone bridges or removable dentures
• Preserves the facial structure, preventing the appearance of an aging face
• No fear of teeth slipping out of place or worse, falling out
• Temporary restorations can be placed to allow you functionality and confidence during the healing process
• Prevent jawbone deterioration
• Prevent shifting teeth

There is no need to suffer in silence with embarrassment from missing teeth or discomfort from ill-fitting restorations. To find out if dental implants are right for you, please Call Dr. James Moran in Fallbrook, CA at (760) 284-8477.