The loss of an adult tooth triggers an amazing number of events in the mouth. While it may seem that you are simply missing a tooth, there is much more to know, and once you understand the issues, you will probably want to learn more about dental implants. Fortunately, as your trusted dentist in Kailua-Kona, Carter Yokoyama, DDS can offer skillful implant dentistry and restorative dentistry treatments.
Dental Implants Explained
If you are unaware of the science behind implants, it is helpful to know more. They are not a “false tooth” like that you obtain through dentures or bridges. They go beneath the surface of the gum and include three key parts: the post, the abutment and a crown. The post is a replacement for the roots lost with the tooth, while the abutment and crown replace the upper, functional area of the tooth.
When patients in Kailua-Kona, HI need a restorative dentist to help them regain the use of their mouths after damage, decay, trauma or tooth loss, we often recommend dental implants. This not only provides them with a functional replacement, but it also prevents a long list of other issues from occurring.
Benefits of Implants
If you lose a single tooth, the neighboring teeth can loosen and shift. This causes harmful changes in your bite pattern, bringing teeth together in an unnatural way. You may wear or chip teeth unevenly, experience headaches and jaw pain, and notice that the bone and gum where teeth once were is starting to shrink. You may speak differently, look differently and even find it hard to eat as you did before.
Choosing dental implants alleviates most of the risks and provides you with a remarkably effective option. The procedure has a 95-98% success rate, and does not cause any more discomfort than an extraction or other form of dental work. After the post is implanted, we wait for it to heal, and then top it with a new and durable crown that you use just like a natural tooth.
You can rely on implants for individual replacement, to hold bridges or even for fixed dentures. They are easy to care for and will typically last for decades.
Contact Our Kailua-Kona Dentist for Dental Implants
If you still have some questions about dental implants, feel free to give us a call at our Kailua-Kona, HI office at 808-322-0101. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.
