Steps in Getting a Dental Implant

Our office sees numerous patients who want to know more about dental implants. Implants are easily one of the most important dental advancements of our time. From a health standpoint as well as from an aesthetic one, implants improve our patients lives every day.

Often patients ask what steps occur while getting a dental implant. Here is a summary of the events necessary for a dental implant.

The initial steps in your dental implant begin with an examination and a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Torrance. After clearing you for surgery from a medical standpoint as well as assuring you are in good dental health, our dentist will work with you to create a care plan and an approximate timeline for the procedure. Occasionally, patients are unaware that dental implants require months before they are complete and having a timeline to follow is helpful.

The first part of your implant involves the placing of a small titanium screw in the empty socket of your jaw. The screw will function as if it were a root for a tooth. After a period of time, a process called osseointegration takes place. This term means that your body accepts the tiny screw and it fuses with the jaw. This process and the healing of the implant site, take between three and six months. During this time our dentist in Torrance will conduct periodic checks to be sure you are healing well.
Once osseointegration is complete, and the area around your implant heals, you will receive the final two pieces of your implant. Our dentist will place an abutment on the screw to work as a foundation for the visible implant. The implant fits on top of the screw and the abutment, and together they form your complete dental implant.

Going forward, you should care for the implant just as you would care for one of your natural teeth. Regular brushing at least twice a day and flossing along with timely dental checkups will all help you to keep your implant and your natural teeth healthy and beautiful.

When Should Dental Implants Not be Used?

The loss of a tooth completely can be traumatic, and the condition comes with many negative consequences, both cosmetic and medical. To avoid any undesired changes in the geography of the mouth as a result of the gap or gaps left behind, it is imperative that anybody who is missing a tooth seeks some means of replacing it professionally. Dental implants are one viable option, allowing your implant dentist in Beverly Hills to restore your full smile without the need for secondary supporting fixtures. While most patients who have one or more adult teeth missing will qualify, there are more than a few eligibility factors that one should be aware of.

Good health, not only in the mouth, but also in the entire body, is an absolute must. An implant is a fully surgical procedure, requiring your dentist to embed the supporting base directly into the bone, which eventually will be covered by a dental crown bearing a false tooth. If there is any  sort of hygienic or medical dysfunction present in the patient’s mouth, especially in the area where the procedure would be taking place, it is highly advised that those issues be contended with first before more work is done; any inflammation present in the gums will hinder the healing process significantly, and the same can be said for poor health elsewhere in the body, as well. The best way to ensure the success of your new implant is to give it the most opportune environment possible to thrive in right off the bat.

Good habits are an absolute must; this includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash daily. A patient who is either unwilling or unable to properly maintain their oral health and cleanliness is generally not seen as a good candidate for dental implants; a commitment to not only your regular schedule of dental appointments and exams but also to any additional office visits your new implant may require is also vital; this will allow your dentist to diagnose and rectify any potential complications which may arise down the road. Patients who struggle with jaw-clenching or teeth-grinding are advised to seek alternative options, as these tendencies put undue amounts of pressure on implants and may cause them to fail.

The last qualifier would be whether or not the patient has adequately dense bones to support something as intrusive as an implant. For those whose bones are not suitable to support an embedded implant, a better option may be to have the implant placed onto the surface of the bone instead.

Dental Implant Options

Portriat of a healthy, happy senior couple in love.

Are you missing one, two or all of your teeth? There are multiple teeth replacement options available to you. Talk to our dental implant dentist in Northridge about your smile. We can recommend the appropriate restoration treatment for you so you can smile with confidence. Here are the types of dental implants available.

 

 

A single tooth implant is a traditional replacement option where a single tooth can be replaced, which is often done over multiple visits. The implant acts as a substitute to a natural tooth root. This is done with or without a built-in connector placed on or built into the top of the implant. The implant will attach to the replacement tooth. A temporary tooth can be used in its place while the implant integrates with your natural bone to form a strong foundation, much like a natural tooth root.

 

 

When it comes to replacing multiple teeth, dental implants with individual crowns or an implant-supported fixed bridge can help. It gives your teeth a level of fit, feel and functionality that is not possible with other restoration options. This option is done over multiple visits. Much like a single tooth implant, the multiple teeth dental implants will be used to support your replacement teeth. Temporary teeth can be used while the implant forms to the natural bone and builds a strong foundation.

 

 

Full mouth implants, or a full arch is also an option if you are missing all of your teeth. Dental implants will be used to support your replacement teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. The connectors are placed on or built into the top of the implant, which will help connect the replacement teeth. The placement of the implants is custom-made individual replacements, or implant-supported fixed bridges, or implant-supported overdenture.

 

 

There is also a low-cost alternative to dental implants called a removable denture. This is an appliance that sits on top of the gums where the missing teeth were. But this option does come with its downfalls. It can be uncomfortable and affect the ability to experience the full taste of food. It can also cause sore gums among other issues.

 

 

Make sure to talk to our dentist if you need to replace one or more teeth. We can match you with the appropriate treatment to improve your smile. With each replacement option, most people return to work the next day, and any discomfort can be treated with pain medication. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Different Kinds of Dental Implants

Cracked, damaged, even dead teeth can have their consequences. That’s why many have taken to dental implants as a treatment. What some don’t know is that there are different kinds. A good tooth implants dentist will let a patient know and inform them about what options are best.

The available types are endosteal and subperiosteal implants. The first one gets placed in the jawbone. This is the most common kind and it’s typically shaped like a small screw, cylinder, or plate. The latter implants are placed under the gum, either on or above the jawbone. This is often used for those with shallow bones. There are different sizes as well, and heights. Some come mini, others look like a standard tooth. They are most often built of titanium and can last a lifetime, if properly cared for. By replacing the foundation of the tooth, dentists ensure that further issues with the roots are pacified. What’s nice is these don’t come loose, the way dentures do. They are much more anchored and are able to take more abuse.

Nothing matters more than comfort. But looking good never hurt either. Fixing the aesthetics of teeth can help with confidence. And with the different kinds of dental implants anything is possible.

Dental Implants and Their Risks

For many, the thought of getting a dental implant sounds like an incredibly painful experience. However, with careful planning and the proper amount of time allotted to healing, dental implants are a very effective and permanent solution to missing or damaged teeth. Our tooth implants dentist in Beverly Hills is an expert in ensuring complete satisfaction with your new dental implants.

A dental implant is a fixture that is inserted into the jawbone to act as an anchor for an artificial crown. It is very important for patients to care for their implants and receive follow-up evaluations at the dentist to ensure they remain healthy. Beyond regular brushing and flossing, routine inspection at your dental office will make certain that there are no calcified deposits around the implant. It is always ideal to receive regularly scheduled cleanings and check-ups to detect any potential health risk early on. Certain risks involved in dental implant surgery are nerve damage, sinus problems, potential infection, or damage to surrounding structures such as other teeth. It is important to discuss dental implants and their risks with your dentist in great detail prior to deciding if implants are right for you.

Are Dental Implants Expensive?

Commitment to your smile usually comes with a price tag, and some people balk at getting implants when they’re quoted the per-tooth price. Based on where you live and the specialist you see, this quote will vary. But dental implants deserve consideration for being the best—no other restoration gets as close to how natural teeth look and function.

Remember, implants are a surgical procedure. Ideally your specialist will have both a high degree of training and experience with implants. That combination doesn’t come cheap. Also remember that on top of its surgical nature, the procedure involves a tiny space that leaves very little margin for error. Mere millimeters of difference can cause the implant to fail.

There may be other variables with your implant. For example, patients with dental phobia may require sedation dentistry. And if you have low bone density or require a sinus lift, your price will go up significantly.

Our expert in dental implants in Beverly Hills invites you to consider implants as an investment in your future. Smile design is always forward-looking, and wants to keep your later years as attractive as your younger ones. With proper care, implants last decades.

Call our office for more about the cost of dental implants.

How to Find Out if Dental Implants are Right for You

Approximately 3 million Americans already have dental implants, so you should not think of it as exclusive. Almost any healthy patient without congenital defect can qualify, as long as you are neither too young nor too old. Implants are not recommended for adolescents, whose facial bones are still growing, or for the very elderly, who may lack sufficient bone density.

In fact, bone depth is the major concern for most patients. If you have suffered excessive resorption or dental relapse over the years, your jaw may not be strong enough for implants. Ask your tooth implants dentist in Beverly Hills for a list of health conditions that may preclude your candidacy. Such a list might include, but would not be limited to, the following:

• Any autoimmune disorder
• Diabetes
• History of heart disease
• History of smoking
• History of cancer treatment, especially radiation to the head/neck area
• Immune deficiencies

In addition, dental implants are not appropriate for pregnant women.

Implants are a lovely way to bolster your smile in the events of trauma, illness, or aging. They replace missing teeth with a more solid base and a better visual experience than traditional dentures.

Ask your dentist if you qualify.

Can You Have Multiple Teeth Replaced by Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the preferred restoration for replacing missing teeth. Some patients seek treatment for multiple missing teeth, creating gaps in different parts of the mouth. Dental implants can be used for multiple missing teeth in several different ways.

For missing teeth that are in different areas of the arch, individual dental implants can be placed. This is a process that often takes several months. A hole is created in the jawbone to make room for a titanium post. This post will need time to heal and fuse with the jaw bone tissue. Once that is complete, the patient will return to cap the post with an abutment and crown. Our Beverly Hills implants doctor can likely perform this process for both missing teeth at the same time.

Dental implants can also be used for dental bridges. If three or more teeth are missing in a row, dental implants can be placed on either side of the gap to support pontics, or artificial teeth. The implants will be placed in the same way as they are to replace individual teeth, but are also attached to pontics in between.

Our expert in multiple teeth dental implants in Beverly Hills will inform you during a consultation appointment if you are a good candidate for this option.

Is the Cost of Dental Implants Worth It?

Dental implants are considered the class of restorative dentistry. They look so good, they qualify doubly as a cosmetic procedure, which means most insurance providers will not pay for them. You need to know all the factors, fiscally and otherwise, before committing to implants.

You can expect to pay around 50 percent more for implants than for the equivalent fixed bridge. This can be a bit confusing, as implants are often used in bridges as well. But dental implants that are just used to replace teeth are priced per tooth, and that price can be as much as several thousand dollars.

The cost of dental implants is in two parts: the titanium root, which is the implant proper, and the crown and screw system that complete it. It is almost better to think of a dental implant as an artificial tooth root, rather than an artificial tooth. But the two-part system is the strength of the implant, and makes it both more functional and more attractive than the other options.

Ask your tooth implant dentist in Beverly Hills for more about the risks and rewards of this procedure.

What You Should Not Do with Dental Implants

Dental implants are typically placed in an outpatient procedure. They heal and fuse to the jaw bone over a period of several weeks or months. Our dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you take care of both your implants and your teeth during the healing period. You may need to avoid certain foods and activities to reduce the risk of disrupting the healing implants and increasing the risk of complications.

Some things to avoid include:

1. Hard or crunchy foods
A softer diet is recommended to avoid injuring the implant site. Do not use a straw for about a week.

2. Delaying or skipping doses of medicine
If you are prescribed antibiotics or pain medication, take these exactly as prescribed. The entire course of antibiotics should be completed.

3. Overdoing it
Your daily activities can be enjoyed as tolerated, but avoid strenuous exercise immediately after surgery.

4. Skimping on dental hygiene
A clean mouth is critical to healing. Use the recommended mouthwash as prescribed. Brush your teeth as directed, but avoid the surgical site until cleared to clean that area.

Once you have healed, your implants will function just like your other teeth. However, you do still need to care for them with good dental habits. Call us today to schedule an appointment with our expert in dental implants in North Hollywood.