Dental Implants

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a long-term way to replace a missing tooth and restore your smile’s function and appearance. When tooth loss occurs, this treatment can help support your oral health while providing a stable, natural-looking result.

Teeth can be lost for a variety of reasons, including tooth decay, gum disease, bone loss, or accidents. We specialize in this transformative form of restorative dentistry, providing dental implants to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or entire arches.

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Dentist examining a smiling senior patient during a dental exam in Rancho Mirage, CA

How Implants Work

Dental implants consist of two main components, a titanium screw and a replacement tooth. The titanium screw is placed into the jawbone, where it gradually integrates with the surrounding bone through a natural healing process. This creates a stable and durable foundation for the restoration.

The replacement tooth, typically a crown, attaches to the implant rather than covering a natural tooth. Because of their strength and stability, two implants can support multiple artificial teeth, so you may not need a separate implant for every missing tooth.

Types of Implant Treatments

We offer several types of dental implant treatments tailored to your specific needs, budget, and goals:

Single Tooth Replacement

This is the most common method for replacing a lost tooth. One implant supports a single crown, restoring the appearance and function of the tooth. This technique is highly effective in mimicking the natural tooth root and stimulating the jawbone, helping maintain bone health.

OVER 95% SURVIVAL AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS

Long-term research backs up how well a single implant can hold up over time.

“The cumulative survival rates were 95.6% for the implants and 60.9% for the implant-supported crowns after 38-40 years in function.”

Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research (PMC, National Library of Medicine)

Dental Implant Bridges

When multiple teeth are missing next to each other, a dental implant bridge can replace them. In this case, only two implants are required to support the bridge. This option is great for patients concerned about cost or bone availability, and it helps preserve both your remaining teeth and jawbone.

1 IN 3 SENIORS HAVE LOST 6 OR MORE TEETH

Losing several teeth at once is common enough that many patients need more than one replacement at a time.

“Estimates from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicated 33.0% of US adults aged ≥ 65 years had lost six or more teeth, decreasing from 39.6% in 2012.”

CDC, Chronic Disease Indicators

Implant Arch Replacement

For full-mouth restoration, implant arch replacement is used to restore the upper and/or lower arch of teeth. As few as two implants may be needed for the lower jaw, while four implants are placed in the upper jaw to support a permanent or removable denture. This provides a secure solution and can improve both comfort and function.

17% OF OLDER ADULTS HAVE LOST ALL THEIR TEETH

Full tooth loss becomes more common with age, which is why full-arch solutions exist.

“Approximately 2.2% of adults ages 20-64 and 17.3% of adults age 65 and over are estimated to have lost their natural teeth in 2011-2016.”

AHRQ, 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report (National Library of Medicine)

Smiling couple with healthy teeth representing dental implant results in Rancho Mirage, CA

For more information about dental implants and how they can improve your smile, contact Desert Pearl Dentistry. Schedule a consultation today and explore the best options for restoring your oral health and appearance!