Dentist in Mission Viejo discusses characteristics of best dental implants

Dental implants are a preferred way to replace missing teeth. They are not the part of the tooth you see above the gum line. That visible structure is actually the crown. You may have had a crown placed to restore a tooth whose damage could not be repaired with a standard filling.

The dental implant replaces the root of the tooth in your jawbone. The root connects your tooth to the underlying bone. Decay or a crack can extend deep into the tooth. Damage extending into the root can't be treated with root canal therapy. Sometimes the tooth has to be extracted, as this extensive damage threatens the integrity of the tooth.

Why dental implants are preferred

In the past, treatments to replace missing teeth such as bridges and dentures didn't replicate a natural tooth. They were built instead to sit on top of the gums or to be suspended between two teeth. The dental implant procedure takes into account all parts of the tooth, to look and function naturally.

Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth, providing superior stability and function. There is no concern over the bone loss that occurs when you are missing a tooth or wear dentures or bridges that are not connected to the underlying bone. If the bone doesn't get stimulation from chewing and other functions it can atrophy, much like your muscles might shrink during periods of prolonged bed rest or lack of exercise.

Drs. Alex and Nina Basti can handle every step of the dental implant process, from consultation to placement to follow-up. The implant is made from medical-grade titanium. This strong yet lightweight material has been used for years in medical settings, it is biocompatible and isn't toxic to existing tissues. It also fuses to bone during a process called osseointegration.

The list of reasons titanium is a superior fill-in for the tooth root is as long as the many benefits of dental implants. To get the best dental implants procedure, call your dentist in Mission Viejo, Basti Dental Care, at 949-427-2096.