Why Dental Implants in Torrance Are a Vital Part of Your Smile Makeover

Are you satisfied with your smile?

If you’re like many patients, you might think that your smile could use a bit of work. Maybe you have some stains and discoloration. Or you have some cracked or chipped teeth. Perhaps you’re insecure about crooked teeth.

These scenarios can be remedied with a smile makeover from a Torrance cosmetic dentist.

But what if you have missing teeth?

You’re still a good candidate for a smile makeover if you have missing teeth. And dental implants in Torrance are one of the best options to replace a tooth or teeth that are missing.

What Is a Smile Makeover?

A smile makeover from a cosmetic dentist is a way to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Some patients are content with opting for teeth whitening to make their teeth look better. This is one of the fastest, easiest, and most affordable ways to get a more beautiful smile.

Other patients want a completely new look. They want to repair damaged teeth, correct function issues, and make some elective adjustments to improve the look of their smile. Cosmetic dentistry procedures from a Torrance dentist include:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental bonding
• Composite fillings
• Orthodontic treatment
• Dental crowns
• Dental inlays/onlays
• Dental veneers

In some cases, patients may even opt for maxillofacial surgery to correct the function and appearance of their facial bones.

Why Should You Invest in Dental Implants in Torrance?

If you’re missing one or multiple teeth, a smile makeover is not complete without dental implants. A Torrance cosmetic dentist will recommend dental implants not only for aesthetic improvement but also for your overall oral health.

Losing a tooth might not seem like a big deal. Perhaps you need to start chewing on the opposite side of your mouth, but that seems like the most significant adjustment you need to make.

Unfortunately, losing a tooth can be the start of several issues that can adversely impact your overall health, including:

• Gum disease
• Malocclusion
• Jaw pain
• Tooth pain
• Tooth cracks
• Chipped enamel
• Broken teeth
• Tooth loss

Why Dental Implants Are Good for Your Health

Dental implants in Torrance can prevent a lot of those issues from developing. Just like the roots of your teeth, dental implants act as an anchor for your jawbone. Without that anchor, the jawbone starts to recede. Jawbone recession puts teeth adjacent to the empty space at risk for gum disease, looseness, and eventual tooth loss.

Another phenomenon that occurs when you lose a tooth is that the adjacent teeth will start to shift to fill in the empty space. When this happens, it results in malocclusion or misalignment regarding how your teeth fit together and how your jaw joints function.

As the teeth shift out of proper alignment, some teeth bear more bite pressure than others while eating or clenching/grinding your teeth. Eventually, this excess pressure can cause these teeth to break down faster than average, resulting in:

• Cracks
• Cracked tooth syndrome
• Chipping
• Fractures

Misalignment can also contribute to temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) disorder, a painful condition that often causes chronic headaches and migraines.

Dental implants in Torrance will absolutely improve the appearance of your smile – but even more importantly, they’ll help you maintain optimal oral health and comfort.

Dental Implants vs. Fixed Bridge – Which Is Best?

When you get a tooth extracted, you probably want to figure out how to restore it as quickly as possible. That’s totally understandable! You have two permanent restorative options: A fixed bridge or a dental implant.

A fixed bridge consists of at least three components:

• Two abutment crowns
• A pontic (a fake tooth that replaces the missing tooth)

The three parts are fused. The abutments are fused to either side of the pontic and fit over your natural teeth on either side of the empty space. The bridge is permanently cemented, so it’s a long-lasting option.

A fixed bridge is an excellent choice for patients who want a faster solution. Dental implants require surgery and healing time, which can take several months. You may or may not have a temporary restoration to fill in the space during this time. On the other hand, a bridge can be completed within a single dental visit in some cases or within a few weeks in others.

Dental bridges can also look beautiful and create the smile you’ve always wanted. However, the downside is that there is nothing to retain the jawbone. Over time, the jawbone will start to recede, putting the adjacent teeth at risk of gum disease, looseness, and possibly even tooth loss down the road.

Talk to your Torrance dentist to determine which option is best for your needs.

What Options Do Edentulous Patients Have?

Dental implants in Torrance aren’t just an excellent option for patients who have one or two missing teeth. They’re also ideal for patients who have lost all their teeth. Edentulous patients can restore their smiles in one of three ways.

1. Individual Dental Implants

Patients that can invest a lot in their smile makeover might choose to have their dentist place implants for every missing tooth. They like being able to floss and clean their implants just as they would their natural teeth. This would be the priciest option for edentulous patients, though.

2. All-on-4 Dental Implant System

The All-on-4 system utilizes four dental implants per arch. Your Torrance dentist will strategically place the implants in your jawbone. Then, they’ll fabricate complete dentures that will fit over the implants.

You’re probably familiar with a snap-button shirt. This is a similar concept. The dentures have little clips that snap onto the implants, completely securing the denture.

3. Implant-Supported Bridges

Several bridges can restore missing teeth. Instead of putting crowns on natural teeth, though, your Torrance cosmetic dentist would place several implants into the jawbone and place crowns fused to pontics (fixed bridge) over the implants.

Get Your Custom Smile Makeover Treatment Plan Today!

Are you considering a smile makeover? Whether you’re ready to jump right in, are just interested in simple cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, or have several questions, we’re here for you.

We’re happy to discuss all your options and explain why dental implants are an ideal long-term option for most patients.

Contact our team to schedule a consultation. Your Torrance dentist will review your dental needs and goals and create a custom treatment plan to help you get and achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

Are you ready for a smile makeover? Contact our team at 310-651-7660 to schedule a consultation