Since they were first developed by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark in the mid-20th century, the science of dental implants has made continual advances, many of which prior generations of patients and practitioners could not have imagined. Dental implants have helped an enormous number of people who have lost one or more teeth. They have definitely been a godsend for individuals who are fully edentulous (toothless), and who may suffer from a number of related problems.
If you or someone close to you wears dentures, you know that they can cause multiple problems. These include poor retention and stability, soreness in oral cavities, and a partial loss of the ability to taste foods due to the mouth and taste buds being fully covered by dentures. Since today’s implants perform just like real teeth, implants can effectively solve all of these problems. They are completely stable, as comfortable as real teeth, and since they are surgically implanted, they obviously don’t require taste-unfriendly adhesives.
Implants are also a boon to people who have lost only one or a few teeth. Before implants became widely used, the only solution for most people who had lost a tooth was a movable partial denture, or the kind of fixed denture that we call a bridge. These prosthetic teeth are obviously better than nothing, but they have a number of disadvantages, including increasing the risk of decay on adjoining teeth, sensitivity, and patients sometimes complain about their appearance. Since implants are, for all intents and purposes, the same as real teeth, they solve all of these issues.
However, there is one more advantage to implants that may be the most important of all. After a tooth extraction, some amount of bone resorption (bone loss) will typically occur around the missing teeth’s sockets; this is due to atrophy in the space where the root of a tooth ordinarily meets the jawbone. Since implants are so similar to organic teeth, the atrophy is stopped, preserving bone and preventing sometimes devastating changes in the lower portions of the face.
Dr. Mirhamid Salek has performed many implant procedures, including some that involved a number of complex issues. In addition to his years of experience and in-depth training as a board certified dentist, he has completed several advanced courses dealing with implants and keeps up with all of the latest innovations in this area. Our West Covina office boasts a state-of-the-art CT-Scan machine available for speedy and accurate diagnosis and treatment at no additional charge for patients, and we always work hard to make sure that patients are comfortable while receiving the finest care possible.
If you or a family member wants to explore the benefits of dental implants, contact us today for a free initial consultation.