Berkeley Dental Implants

Dental Implants Berkeley, CA Having a beautiful smile can help you make a great first impression; in fact, your smile is the first thing people notice about you. For many Berkeley patients, having one or more missing teeth can change their quality of life and lower their self-confidence in their appearance.

Losing a tooth, whether it’s due to decay, injury, or wear, can be embarrassing and upsetting.

The fact is, though, that according to the American College of Prosthodontics, 178 million people are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million have no teeth at all. Given these statistics, we want our patients to know that life can happen to any of us, but you don't have to continue living your life without a complete smile.

As a prosthodontist, Dr. Amy Au has extensive experience in replacing teeth with dental implants. She can complete the entire process, from placement to restoration, right here at Berkeley Prosthodontics and General Dentistry.

You don’t have to neglect your smile anymore. During your initial consultation with Dr. Au, we will go over your current oral health, your smile goals, and your tooth replacement options.

Give us a call at (510) 644-2114 to begin your journey to a radiant smile.

Missing Teeth - More Than A Beauty Problem

A missing tooth is more than a cosmetic issue.

If a missing tooth isn’t replaced, you will develop more complex conditions like difficulty speaking clearly, bone resorption, and soft tissue contour. The teeth adjacent to the space will tilt forward, which closes the bite and moves teeth out of alignment. Missing teeth can also lead to overloading or additional stress on adjacent teeth, which leads to enamel erosion, chipped or broken teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. We always recommend tooth replacement to ensure proper oral function.

Did you know that tooth loss leads to more tooth loss?

Berkeley patients may not know this, but when a tooth is missing it no longer has a tooth root to anchor the jaw bone in place. Over time, the jaw bone will actually recede, and neighboring teeth will start to shift towards the gap in the gum line. Shifting teeth create enamel erosion, stress on adjacent teeth, and can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

In the meantime, your entire facial structure can completely change. The contours of your face can sag, making you look prematurely aged. This is why dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option; they replace the tooth root and bond with the jaw bone.

Acting as a new tooth root, dental implants adhere to the jaw bone to create a protective and stable foundation that dental restorations can attach to. Altogether, your replacement teeth will look, feel, and function like normal teeth, restoring and enhancing the look of your smile.

If you are in Berkeley, CA and are interested in learning more about your tooth restoration options, give us a call.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a popular permanent tooth replacement for Berkeley patients who have lost one or multiple teeth. Dr. Au uses a thin titanium post to anchor to your jaw bone; this biocompatible post functions as a replacement tooth root. Removable dentures can shift or move in your mouth, which will never happen with a dental implant.

The titanium fuses to your jaw bone and will not be rejected by your body. The material is incredibly durable and will last a lifetime. If you are missing more than one tooth, Dr. Au may suggest an implant-supported bridge that doesn’t require shaping or altering adjacent teeth.

Benefits of Using Our Berkeley Dental Implants

It used to be that the only option for replacing a missing tooth was a dental bridge supported by adjacent teeth. Unfortunately, this meant adjusting and filing down adjacent healthy teeth structures to ensure a precise and snug fit.

Thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, our patients can choose to replace a missing tooth with a single dental implant. Using implants enables us to protect and preserve the healthy tooth structure of nearby teeth when the implant is placed in the missing space. The advantages of using dental implants to replace missing teeth include:

Restored oral functions like chewing, biting, and speaking
Improved appearance
Improved self-confidence
Solid foundation for tooth replacement
Retention of the surrounding bone
Easy maintenance
Durable and long-lasting material
Natural-looking restoration

Our Berkeley Dental Implant Options

Since we anchor the dental implant in your jaw, we have several restoration options. Single crowns are the most common restorative procedure; however, we can also use implants to provide support for a fixed dental bridge or dentures.

There are various ways we use implants to secure dentures. The basic procedure involves placing up to four dental implants at different points in the jaw. We design your dentures with attachments that correspond to the location of the implants. When the process is complete, you are left with beautifully natural dentures that fit and feel as much like natural teeth as possible.

During your consultation with Dr. Au, we will go over all your tooth replacement options and determine which option is the best fit for your budget, lifestyle, and smile needs.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

At Berkeley Prosthodontics and General Dentistry, Dr. Au highly recommends dental implants for patients who are interested in preventing further tooth loss and bone deterioration. One of the main advantages of dental implants is how easy they are to maintain.

Due to their permanent nature, dental implants will not shift or move. Once they have adhered to your jaw bone, you won’t need special tools or routine to care for your dental implants. Maintenance is as easy as daily brushing and flossing at home along with regular dental check-ups and exams with Dr. Au.

Dr. Au will be able to track how your dental implants are healing, along with any potential oral health issues. If you feel like something isn’t right, or there might be a problem with your dental implant, call our dental office immediately so we can ensure everything is on track.

With proper care, our Berkeley patients can expect to enjoy their dental implants for a lifetime. If the top part of the restoration cracks or chips, it can be easily replaced. If at any time you suspect something has changed with your dental implant, or something just doesn't feel right, please contact Berkeley Prosthodontics and General Dentistry immediately so we can arrange a dental check-up with Dr. Au.

Contact Our Berkeley Implant Dentist

Are you missing one or several teeth and are looking for an alternative to dentures or a dental bridge?

Call our Berkeley implant dentist to schedule your dental implant consultation with Dr. Au. We will be able to determine if you have adequate existing jaw bone density to support a dental implant procedure. While there are other alternatives, a dental implant feels most like your natural tooth.

There is a lot to consider when you are deciding on tooth replacement. If you are interested in learning how dental implants can restore your oral health, confidence, and appearance, please call our Berkeley, CA, dental office. A friendly member of our team will be happy to help you arrange a smile treatment plan with Dr. Au.