LAS VEGAS, NV, DENTIST OFFERS DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR MISSING TOOTH REPLACEMENT

By: Dr. Christopher Lim
Posted on: January 07, 2021

Tooth loss can occur to anyone at any time. While it is common for children to lose their baby teeth to make room for their permanent teeth, it is not common for adults to lose any of their permanent teeth. In fact, it is most desirable that a patient maintain their natural adult teeth for as long as possible. This is why dentists encourage patients to take good care of their smiles with brushing, flossing, and routine examinations at the dental office. However, if tooth loss occurs, it is vital that patients work with a dentist to learn about missing tooth replacement options that are best for their smiles. Dr. Christopher Lim and his team at Hillside Dental in Las Vegas, NV, are proud to offer one of the more desirable options for tooth replacement: dental implants.

WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Dr. Christopher Lim describes the dental implant as a tooth root replacement. This replacement is made of titanium, a metal that is commonly used for implants throughout the body in the medical field. The implant looks like a small hardware screw that the dentist places in the bone of the jaw. The part of the implant that sticks out above the gum line, called the abutment, can then be restored with a dental restoration such as a crown, bridge, or denture. This depends on how many teeth the patient is replacing.

The dental implant, once placed, stimulates the body’s process of bone growth called osseointegration. Osseointegration is triggered with the implant, allowing extra bone of the jaw to grow around the implant to hold it in place. This is what gives the implant its strength and durability. Bone growth is one of the many benefits of dental implants that make them a popular choice, as many other restorations—including dental bridges and dentures—fail to maintain bone and can result in bone resorption with time.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE DENTAL IMPLANT?

Dr. Christopher Lim may suggest the placement of a dental implant for a variety of reasons. Dental implants are:

an investment in the smile
permanent, with lifetime longevity with proper care
natural-looking, restored with porcelain restorations over the abutment
stable and strong
versatile, replacing one, several, or all the teeth in the dental arch

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A DENTAL IMPLANT?

Dental implants are perfect for most of our patients who are free from periodontal disease and cavities. Patients need to have X-rays done during their evaluation to ensure there is sufficient bone available for the successful placement of the dental implant. Without enough bone, the dental implant procedure will be unsuccessful, and alternative options might be discussed. Patients serious about obtaining dental implants in the future may want to speak to our team at Hillside Dental about the possibility of undergoing bone grafting procedures to prepare the area for a dental implant later on.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF USING DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR YOUR SMILE

If you have recently experienced tooth loss or extractions and are interested in a more permanent way to replace missing teeth, you will want to take the time to speak to Dr. Christopher Lim and his team of professionals at Hillside Dental to discuss dental implants. His facility is located in Las Vegas, NV, at 6090 South Fort Apache Road, Suite #120, and accepts new patients who call for a visit at 702-666-8584.