Different Kinds of Dental Implants

Cracked, damaged, even dead teeth can have their consequences. That’s why many have taken to dental implants as a treatment. What some don’t know is that there are different kinds. A good tooth implants dentist will let a patient know and inform them about what options are best.

The available types are endosteal and subperiosteal implants. The first one gets placed in the jawbone. This is the most common kind and it’s typically shaped like a small screw, cylinder, or plate. The latter implants are placed under the gum, either on or above the jawbone. This is often used for those with shallow bones. There are different sizes as well, and heights. Some come mini, others look like a standard tooth. They are most often built of titanium and can last a lifetime, if properly cared for. By replacing the foundation of the tooth, dentists ensure that further issues with the roots are pacified. What’s nice is these don’t come loose, the way dentures do. They are much more anchored and are able to take more abuse.

Nothing matters more than comfort. But looking good never hurt either. Fixing the aesthetics of teeth can help with confidence. And with the different kinds of dental implants anything is possible.

Best Candidates for Dentures

If you are missing teeth, you may have several options for replacing them. These can include removable or fixed appliances. Dentures are designed to replace multiple teeth. They are held in place by the bone and gum tissue, and any teeth that may remain. Our dentist in Huntington Beach can help you decide if dentures are right for you.

Candidates for dentures include those who have lost several or all of their teeth. For the best results, they should have sufficient healthy gum and bone tissue to support the dentures. Partial dentures can be a good option for those who are missing some but not all of their teeth. Partial dentures are typically supported by clasps that attach to the remaining teeth. Full dentures are used when an entire arch or both arches are missing.

Both partial and full dentures can also be used with dental implants. Implants are inserted into the jawbone, and therefore add additional stability. The dentures can be snapped into place and used just like your natural teeth.

A consultation with our dentures dentist in Huntington Beach can help you learn more about your options and determine your candidacy for dentures. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with our team.

What are Indirect Fillings?

Up until very recently, the only type of fillings were direct fillings. These involved creating the filling right in the tooth. The material would be placed directly in the empty space created by a cavity or root canal treatment. While this method is still sometimes used today, indirect fillings are now much more popular.

Indirect fillings are created outside of the tooth, and then placed, instead of both at once. This requires two appointments. At your first appointment, our OC dentist will take impressions of your teeth. These will be sent to a lab where your filling will be created. Once completed and sent back, you can return to have them placed. This process may also be possible in just one appointment with CAD/CAM technology.

There are two types of indirect fillings – inlays and onlays. Inlays are the fillings that enter into the tooth, where onlays are for damage that only affects the cusps, or the surface. Dentists and patients alike prefer fillings in most situations, as they do not require as much loss of healthy tooth structure as dental crowns. They do, however, still require consistent care and regular check-ups from our dentist. We can answer any questions you may have on the topic in our office.

How are Dental Bridges Placed?

Modern restorative and cosmetic dentistry offers several options for replacing missing teeth. The primary method recommended by professionals is typically dental implants, which are surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Older patients often choose dentures, as they require less invasive methods and support. Dental bridges offer the best of both worlds.

Dental bridges are comprised of two main components – pontics (or artificial teeth) and crowns. The pontic or pontics are attached to dental crowns at both ends, which are then placed onto the adjacent teeth.

This tooth replacement option provides stability from the neighboring healthy teeth, working around the need for jaw bone integration and the months-long process required with it. You might be a candidate for a bridge if your teeth and gums on either side of your gap are healthy and stable. Your bridge will be custom created, specifically to you and your needs. While there are a few materials that can be used, porcelain is often preferred, as it offers several benefits. These benefits include stain resistance and a similar look to dental enamel.

It is important to not procrastinate if you are missing a tooth, as the effects of tooth loss are often serious. If you are looking for more information about dental bridges, contact our cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood today.

What Are Dental Fillings Used For?

Dental fillings, whether direct or indirect, involve removing some tooth structure and replacing it with a filling material. Most people are familiar with the use of fillings for cavities, but fillings also are used for teeth that have been cracked or worn down. Below is a look at how fillings are used in these cases.

Fillings for Cavities

When a tooth has a cavity, the decayed area must be removed completely to prevent the decay from spreading after treatment. Removal of tooth structure is also done to ensure a durable, long-lasting result. Even decay along the gum line can usually be drilled and filled.

Fillings for Cracked or Worn Teeth

Teeth that have cracks or wear, such as from teeth grinding, may require fillings for cosmetic purposes, to prevent sensitivity, or to block decay from developing. A variable amount of tooth structure may be removed to make way for the filling material.

Metal fillings are still common, but tooth-colored fillings are now more often chosen for their cosmetic benefits and lack of mercury. With proper care, fillings can last for more than a decade. You can contact our San Francisco dentist to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we use dental fillings.

Candidates for Porcelain Crowns

If you have a tooth with serious structural damage, you might be a candidate for a porcelain crown. A crown is a type of restoration that fits over the top of the natural tooth. It adds strength, improves function, and restores its cosmetic appearance. Our Agoura Hills dentist can help you decide if a crown is the right choice for you.

Crowns are often used with teeth that:

• Have had root canal therapy
• Are badly damaged or decayed
• Are misshapen
• Are fractured
• Are severely discolored

We can also use crowns with dental implants or dental bridges to replace lost teeth.

A crown is typically placed in two dental visits. During the first visit, we will prepare the tooth by removing decayed tissue and shaping the enamel. Next, we will take a dental impression to ensure an accurate fit. The impression is sent to the dental lab, which will design the new crown. We will apply a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the porcelain crown is ready.

Call our office today to learn more about porcelain dental crowns or to schedule your appointment with our dentist.

How are Inlays and Onlays Used to Restore Teeth?

Inlays and onlays mimic the process of crowns but provide a non-invasive advantage. Inlays and onlays repair existing tooth structure, rather than replace it. But they’re also used to replace old or damaged fillings, so the term “indirect fillings” is sometimes used to describe them.

Typically you will need either an inlay or an onlay, as their functions are redundant if placed together. Here are some examples for both:

 

Inlays

If you have decay in the tooth lining or between the cusps, inlays are placed in these gaps. This is more like a dental filling function, except inlays are distinctly preferable to fillings because the choice of materials is superior. Inlays also offer greater protection against decay and occlusal forces.

 

Onlays

If your decay extends throughout the biting surface, an onlay fits within the grooves but also covers the cusps.  Onlays also provide excellent restoration of fractured teeth. Again, preserving the existing tooth structure is the primary benefit. A crown would involve tearing out the damaged cusps, while an onlay is simply inserted over them.

For more about the restorative uses of inlays and onlays, ask your Beverly Hills dentist.

Use of Laser in Dentistry

Dental lasers are one of the most advanced treatment tools in modern dentistry. This technology minimizes the risk of post-operative discomfort and can even speed healing. Our cosmetic dentist can use laser dentistry in a variety of applications to improve and transform your smile.

Some common uses for dental lasers include:

• Removal of decayed tissue
• Preparation for cavity treatments
• Etching or roughening enamel for bonding, sealants, or other treatments
• Soft tissue biopsy
• Exposing impacted teeth
• Surgical and nonsurgical periodontal treatments
• Gum tissue shaping and removal
• Crown lengthening
• Canker sore treatment
• Root canal cleaning and treatment
• Removal of pathological tissues
• Teeth whitening

Dental drills are associated with vibration, heat, and pressure, which can all cause pain and anxiety. Lasers are able to treat soft and hard tissues without any of these factors, which means that patients need fewer shots, less anesthesia, and often feel more relaxed during treatment. The laser also reduces bleeding, swelling, and post-operative pain. Greater precision means less damage to surrounding areas and greater conservation of precious tooth structure.

Although lasers are highly effective in both soft and hard tissue applications, they are not necessarily the best choice for every treatment or procedure. Call our office to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our laser dentist in Los Angeles.

Can You Have Multiple Teeth Replaced by Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the preferred restoration for replacing missing teeth. Some patients seek treatment for multiple missing teeth, creating gaps in different parts of the mouth. Dental implants can be used for multiple missing teeth in several different ways.

For missing teeth that are in different areas of the arch, individual dental implants can be placed. This is a process that often takes several months. A hole is created in the jawbone to make room for a titanium post. This post will need time to heal and fuse with the jaw bone tissue. Once that is complete, the patient will return to cap the post with an abutment and crown. Our Beverly Hills implants doctor can likely perform this process for both missing teeth at the same time.

Dental implants can also be used for dental bridges. If three or more teeth are missing in a row, dental implants can be placed on either side of the gap to support pontics, or artificial teeth. The implants will be placed in the same way as they are to replace individual teeth, but are also attached to pontics in between.

Our expert in multiple teeth dental implants in Beverly Hills will inform you during a consultation appointment if you are a good candidate for this option.

Restoration Options for Chipped Teeth

A tooth can be chipped from biting down on something hard or as a result of an impact. The chip might feel rough against your cheek or tongue, but the damage might not be severe enough to cause pain. However, without the right chipped tooth treatment, a chip can lead to more serious problems, including cracks, decay, and infection. We can help you find the best treatment for your chipped tooth and protect your smile. Treatment includes:

 

• Enamel contouring, which can be a great option for smoothing out minor chips and eliminating small rough spots
• Dental bonding, which uses tooth-colored composite materials to restore small areas of damage
• Dental filling, which might be necessary if the damaged area is larger

 

If the damage is more severe, we may recommend an inlay, onlay, or dental crown. These restorations cover a more significant area of the tooth and can protect the tooth better if it has been cracked, fractured, or if a cusp has been broken.

 

In most cases, a chipped tooth can be repaired in a single appointment, and you can use your tooth as soon as you leave our office. Call us to schedule your appointment with our expert in emergency dentistry in LA.