Dental Implants

Do you have a missing tooth? For more than 30 years, the best tooth-replacement option has been a dental implant. Dr. Jorge Alvarez can provide you with a more stable and durable replacement by using an implant. Implants are the closest substitute for natural teeth by bonding with the jawbone and making a sturdy base for one or more crowns (artificial teeth).

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. An abutment is placed on top of the screw, which provides a connection for the crown. Crowns are available in different materials, depending on patient preference and budget.

Bone loss prevention is the #1 health benefit of an implant. The chewing motion on the implant screw creates pressure that stimulates bone growth and keeps the jawbone strong and avoids volume loss. Implants are constructed with titanium because of its ability to fuse with bone.

Bones start reabsorbing into the body with the lack of stimulation that a natural tooth root (or an implant screw) causes. In the first year after a tooth is lost, the jaw can experience up to 25% of volume loss. After one year, the bone volume continues to decrease. If caught early enough, an implant can help recover some bone density. As soon as healing begins, the bone begins to bond with the implant and grows around it.

Call Dr. Alvarez today to discuss your treatment options!