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At Royal Dental Practice, Dr. Roya Shoffet appreciates that patients of all ages desire and deserve a complete, healthy, and attractive smile. Dr. Shoffet also appreciates that tooth loss is not a “natural” part of aging, nor does it have to be a foregone conclusion. Dr. Shoffet’s dedication to ensuring seniors maintain confident, healthy, and functional smiles is evident in her expertise and specialized care for older patients. If patients are healthy enough for minor oral surgery at our West Hills office, dental implants may be a suitable option to replace teeth that cannot be preserved through other methods like root canal therapy.
Dental implants are the only prosthetic available today that replace both the visible part of the tooth and the roots of the teeth. So, implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures are the closest thing we have in restorative dentistry to natural, healthy teeth. Because these restorations are designed like natural teeth, they have many benefits, especially when compared to “conventional” dental bridges and dentures.
Patient satisfaction increases as prosthetic teeth closely replicate natural tooth structure and tissues. Since implants are designed to function as tooth roots, the attached prosthetic teeth are secured firmly in the jawbone. This feature provides the utmost stability. Our patients do not have to worry about their dentures slipping or sliding around. This characteristic also supports the most comfortable and natural chewing and speech function.
Once again, patients benefit from the unique design of implant-retained prostheses. One of the biggest threats to traditional dentures comes from progressive and highly destructive bone loss. This process generally occurs when the bone in the jaw does not get the stimulation it needs to stay strong. Since the prosthetic teeth are not attached to the bone by way of components like implants, the conventional denture tends to become loose over time. This is because the bone resorbs or shrinks due to the lack of stimulation from attached teeth and from functions like mashing and grinding down food.
The shape of the face changes as the bone shrinks. Your denture can no longer conform to the shape of the mouth as it did when first placed. Patients may complain about poor function as the dentures slip around. And sores may be caused by the denture rubbing up against the inside of the mouth. To maintain a proper fit, these dentures must be adjusted or even replaced on an ongoing and as-needed basis. Implant-retained dentures are connected to the jawbone. So they keep the bone strong and healthy. Bone resorption is avoided, and the denture continues to fit precisely and hold up well – even with good oral care for a lifetime.
The process is relatively straightforward and well-tolerated with local anesthesia. You won’t feel anything as we access the bone and introduce the implant precisely to the site. Once the implant has been placed, there will be a waiting period as this artificial tooth root must grow or attach to the surrounding bone. It effectively becomes a part of the jaw during the natural and safe process of osseointegration. Once the implant is secured, we can restore it with a dental crown. For individuals with several missing teeth, our expert periodontist can strategically position a minimal number of implants to effectively support a maximum number of replacement teeth (and as part of a bridge or denture).
Due to the extensive onsite capabilities at Royal Dental Practice, our specialist can even successfully perform implant placement among patients with existing bone loss. We provide many advanced procedures onsite, including bone grafting to build up deteriorated jaw tissue. So, many patients across the West Hills area of Los Angeles, CA, can experience dental implants’ joys and transformative benefits. We welcome your additional questions – call us today at (818) 334-6655.
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