Dental Implants

When searching for a method for tooth replacement, dental implants may be an option.

However, as a practice that emphasizes what’s best for the body, we typically do not recommend dental implants at this time, unless you are interested in ceramic dental implants.

Because of its metal nature and the fact that the body sees implants as a foreign body (as it should because it naturally does not occur in nature nor in our bodies),  it may be in the best interest to have a denture or bridge rather than a traditional titanium dental implant.

Even though tearing down neighboring teeth is not a good option when considering a bridge, it may be better to do that than forcing your body to accept a metal post that you may become sensitive to later on in life.

Ceramic or porcelain or zirconium implants are here to stay now.  They are still relatively new in the United States, with only two companies achieving FDA approval.  We actively place Z-Systems Ceramic Dental Implants and have seen some great results with gum regeneration, biocompatibility, and aesthetics. If you’re interested in learning more, please check out these other articles on Zirconium implants:

• Z-Systems Dental Implants
• Ceramic Dental Implants

Crowns

Teeth are often restored using plastic (composite) or porcelain (ceramic) materials. However, when too much of a tooth’s structure has been worn away (by decay, a fracture, an injury, or large filling), a crown or “cap” may be needed. A crown may be needed to

• Restore a tooth when it is unable to support any type of filling
• Support other dental work
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or to restore a fractured tooth
• Cover badly-shaped or discolored teeth
• Replace missing teeth with the help of dental implants

A crown essentially covers 360 degrees of a tooth to restore it to its original natural shape and size. This permanent restoration fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. The crown procedure can generally take two visits, however it really depends on a case-by-case basis.

To determine if your tooth needs a crown please visit our holistic dental office.

Bridging the Gap

Healthy, strong teeth support and maintain your jaws alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and your ability to chew and speak can be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is connected to adjacent teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, it’s success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth and gums clean.

Nowadays, dental implants are recommended prior to being given an option for a bridge.  We can help determine which is best for you.

Dental Implants

Strengthen Your Foundation

We offer the most advanced technologies in dental implant restorations.  When you lose a tooth, a dental implant may be the ideal choice to replace that missing tooth. Dental implants are simply biocompatible “anchors” that permanently support crowns or dentures. They are secure and durable and can be cleaned and cared for much like your natural teeth.

The procedure requires a special artificial root to be fitted into your jaw to replace the lost tooth’s root. Once the implant is anchored into the bone, the bone around the implant “grabs a hold of” the dental implant.  This can take six weeks to six months to heal.  Once healed, we piece together a crown and voila, your new tooth is as good as new.

Dental implants are preferred over bridges because they do not require “filing down” the neighboring teeth.

Our San Diego Dentists have had plenty of experience with dental implants.

Bridges

Bridge the Gap

Healthy, strong teeth support and maintain your jaws alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and your ability to chew and speak can be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is connected to adjacent teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, it’s success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth and gums clean.

Nowadays, dental implants are recommended prior to being given an option for a bridge.  Our San Diego dentists can help determine which is best for you.