7 New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Mouth
If you’re considering making some changes in 2026, adopting habits to improve your oral health could be beneficial. Keeping your mouth healthy is an important part of overall health.
What Most People Don’t Know About Dental Implants
When it comes to dental care, most people know the basics: good at-home dental hygiene requires flossing, you should get your teeth professionally cleaned, and a filling is the way to stop decay from spreading. Unfortunately, beyond the basics, many people believe a visit to the dentist is likely to be painful.
At Century City Smiles and Orthodontics, Dr. Shawn Saidian and Dr. Tania Ohebsion ensure you understand the rationale for any treatment or procedure they recommend and remain comfortable throughout your visit. We’ve found that many people don’t understand how dental implants work or why they are an important option for replacing missing teeth.
Here are some of the important things people often don’t know about dental implants.
1. How a dental implant works
Before we discuss what you may not know about dental implants, we should first explain how they work. A dental implant consists of a titanium post with an abutment attached and an artificial tooth, called a crown.
The titanium post is surgically inserted into your jawbone. Once your bone heals around the post, it serves as a replacement for the missing tooth root.
The abutment is placed on top of the post, usually with an abutment fixation screw. Its job is to hold the crown in place.
2. A dental implant restores function
The most important thing to know about dental implants is that they restore your ability to chew, speak, and effectively clean your teeth. Dental implants are the best way to replace natural teeth because they function like natural teeth.
3. You lose bone structure without a tooth root
When you have a healthy, natural tooth, each time you bite down, the root stimulates blood flow to your jawbone. Blood flow delivers nutrients to your bone and keeps it alive.
When you lose a tooth, you lose the root and the stimulation it offers. Over time, you lose bone. Bone loss changes the shape of your face.
The titanium post of a dental implant reproduces the stimulation of a natural tooth root, which keeps your jawbone healthy.
4. You may need a bone graft first
Depending on numerous factors, you may have already lost some of your bone. If that’s the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get a dental implant. You may need a bone graft first.
A bone graft is a relatively common procedure that helps your jawbone become healthy and strong enough for the titanium post to be implanted. You’ll have the procedure, then wait for the new bone to grow and strengthen before the post can be inserted.
5. Dental implants are permanent replacements
Finally, most patients are unaware that dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement. Unlike dentures, which need to be replaced after 10-15 years in most cases, your implant should serve you for the rest of your life.
It’s possible for the crown to break or need to be replaced, but the titanium post itself shouldn’t require replacement.
Have questions?
If you’re wondering if you might be a good candidate for a dental implant, or if you have other questions about what’s involved in getting the best replacement for your missing tooth or teeth, schedule an appointment at Century City Smiles and Orthodontics. We’re always happy to discuss your unique needs and situation.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Thinking About a Smile Makeover? What You Need to Know
People who have beautiful, or even average, smiles don’t think about smiling or what their smiles communicate. If you have serious dental issues, though, you probably think about your smile often. A smile makeover could change your life.
3 Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth (That Have Nothing to Do with Appearance)
Although many people consider crooked teeth a cosmetic issue, there are good reasons to consider straightening that don’t have anything to do with your appearance. Taking care of your oral health may require getting your teeth straightened.
6 Tips for a Cavity-Free Halloween
What do you think of when you hear the word “Halloween?” Is it the costumes? The spookiness? Or maybe you think about cavities. Here’s what you can do to protect dental health, even at Halloween.
Why a Missing Tooth Isn’t Just an Aesthetic Issue
You may not like how your smile looks if you’ve lost a tooth, but there are good reasons to consider options to replace a missing tooth that have nothing to do with cosmetic concerns. Here are some health impacts of a missing tooth.
When to Consider Expanders
Nearly everyone is familiar with braces and why they are sometimes necessary, but fewer people are aware of palatal expanders. Here, we describe what expanders are and when they might be an appropriate treatment.