Dental Implants Rise in Popularity - Now Considered Treatment of Choice for Baby Boomer's

Here is an interesting article on the dramatic rise in Dental Implants procedures being done in the US - and the many reasons why implants are the choice for so many baby boomer who are seeking dental work.  Many of the the very same reasons we see in our very same patients, and why if you are facing any of these issues, dental implants in our convenient Los Angeles office may be the right choice for you as well.  Please read the full article at the link below:

Treatment of Choice' Many baby-boomer and their parents have mouths full of aging dental work. Large fillings, in particular, are likely to crack as they grow older, dentists say. So older adults increasingly are turning to implants when regular crown work and root canals can no longer shore up problem teeth.And new research and technology are reducing the time it takes to design, fit and insert implants. Dentists, oral surgeons and periodontists are now performing about one million procedures a year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, a trade group in Chicago."Implants have increased dramatically in the boomer age group," says Daniel Hardy, an Atlanta dentist who does restorative work — placing new, artificial teeth on top of the anchors.

Dental Implants: More Frequently Asked Questions

Posted in Dental Implants:  Los Angeles Dental Implants

Q:  Are there certain characteristics you look for in a patient that makes he or she a good candidate for dental implants?

A:  Yes, there are!  In general, during your initial consultation we will look for the following traits:

• General good health
• Healthy gums
• Sufficient underlying jawbone to support the implants
• A good attitude to ensure that you follow through with vital oral hygiene habits

Q:  What type of care is required for Dental Implants?

A:  The care you give to your dental implant makes a tremendous difference in the overall satisfaction you experience, as well as the longevity of the implant itself.  With proper oral hygiene habits - brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups, your implant will serve you very well.

Solutions

We offer a complete solutions package of crown, bridge and implants. We have the important temporary solutions to cover all implants. And everything needed for permanent Beautiful Teeth Now™.

You can choose from our standard prosthetic assortment with products in all necessary configurations. Or the infinitely customized options available with our Premium solutions.

Dental Implants: The Rewards! (and the Risks) Explained

Lets Take a Look at the Benefits of Dental Implants:

1. Improved Biting Pressure:  Healthy teeth are able to absorb over 500 pounds of biting pressure per square inch.  If you've worn dentures for a long time, that pressure may be diminished significantly, to one-tenth that of natural teeth.  Dental implants can often restore the amount of pressure that can be withstood to nearly the same level of healthy natural teeth.
2. Comfort and Fit:  Because your replacement teeth are anchored securely to the implants in your jawbone, they can't slip and slide like unsecured dentures can.  When dentures aren't secure enough, they often cause sores in the mouth and an annoying clicking sound.
3. Longevity and reliability:  With proper oral hygiene and care, scientifically tested and approved dental implant systems have been shown to last as long as 20 years or more with very few complications.
4. Increased self-confidence:  Because dental implants function remarkably like natural teeth, most people who get them experience a renewed sense of self-confidence once they realize they can chew, talk, laugh and smile again with confidence.

What Risks are Involved with Dental Implants: 

Dental implant surgery has proved to be successful for hundreds of thousands of people over the years.  Negative effects such as bleeding, infection, injury to the nerves or sinus cavity, or incomplete healing of the bone around the implant failure are rare.  During the healing process, however, discomfort, swelling and inflammation of the gums - normal responses to oral surgery - may be present in varying degrees.  If you have questions about your individual situation or want to discuss what is considered normal in the healing process, we will be happy to address your concerns.

How Do I Know If I Am a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you face  the loss of one or several teeth or if you're dis-satisfied with dentures or other options available to you, you may find that dental implants are right for you!  Age is not typically a major factor.  Successful dental implants have been performed on young people and elderly alike.  Give our office a call to learn if dental implants are a good solution for you.

The Facts About Crown & Bridge Treatments: Part 1 - What is a Crown?

Filed Under Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentistry: Crowns and Bridges

"What is a Crown?"

This happens to be a very common question for many new patients to our Los Angeles cosmetic dentistry practice!

A crown, sometimes called a "cap" is a tooth like covering placed over a carefully prepared existing tooth.  Used to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth, a crown is placed on an individual tooth much like a thimble would be placed over your finger.  In addition to being used to strengthen a tooth to accommodate the attachment of a fixed bridge, crowns serve many other important functions.  One of the most common benefits is to support the existing tooth when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filing.  Crowns may also be used to protect the structure of a tooth that is fractured or already broken.

Another popular question we get in our dental practice is - What is a Bridge, and How Are They Related to Crowns?

A bridge is a special custom device that is anchored to neighboring teeth, to replace one or more missing teeth.  When a lost tooth is replaced with a bridge, or bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be prepared as crowns to serve as " supports" or abutments to hold the prosthetic ( replacement ) teeth in place.  Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior, premium materials such as precious metals, porcelain or a combination fo metal fused to porcelain.  Both appearance and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.

And remember - your dentist can always help explain these procedures much better for you during an office consultation, so if you have been considering, or just want to learn more about Crowns and Bridges, give our office a call so that we can help You make the most informed decision possible!