Do you have missing teeth? If so, you probably have plenty of questions about the best solution to fix your smile. This dental implant 101 information delivers the details you need to know about this advanced, permanent procedure. Learn the basics of dental implants and how they can restore and beautify your smile.
Natural Look and Feel
No one wants teeth that look fake or feel weird. Dental implants are designed to blend right into your smile so no one can tell the difference between natural teeth and restorations. Plus, implants allow teeth to function normally so you can bite, chew, and speak with confidence.
Three Powerful Components
Each dental implant is made of three components and together they make a complete restoration:
- Biocompatible dental implant post, strategically placed in the jawbone under the gumline.
- Abutment attached to the dental implant and jutting out slightly above the gumline.
- Customized crown or prosthesis attached to the abutment.
Some Prep Required
For many dental implant patients, other dental procedures must occur before dental implant surgery can take place. Gum disease is often responsible for tooth loss, so if this infection is present it needs to be treated and healed first – a new smile can only be built on a healthy foundation. Patients may also need a bone graft if they do not have a strong enough jawbone to support a dental implant. This procedure improves jaw density and makes implants possible.
Better Than Dentures
Modern dentures have their place in restorative dentistry, but for patients who want the most secure option that requires no upkeep other than typical daily brushing and flossing, dental implants are the top choice. There is no need for adhesives, no danger of teeth slipping out of place while you’re speaking or eating or smiling, and the roof of your mouth is not covered.
Healing Time Required
Once dental implants are in place, the journey to a smile makeover is not over. It’s necessary for your Los Angeles dentist to monitor the healing process, which could take several months to complete, as the posts fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Every patient is different, but this is one step that cannot be skipped, but once you reach this part of the process your next and final step is to get a permanent crown, bridge, or partial denture that completes your smile.
Support Neighboring Teeth
Getting dental implants is not only good for the holes in your smile, it’s good for the teeth nearby. When there are missing roots and crowns in your smile, over time the remaining teeth will migrate to fill those gaps, damaging tissue, alignment, and the appearance of your smile.
Maintain Face Shape
There is a telltale compressed look that some people sport when they’re missing a lot of teeth. This unwanted facial side effect is caused by the recession of the jawbone. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and boost bone density.
Permanent Restoration
Reliability and dental implants go hand in hand. Whether you’re missing one tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth, dental implants can be the solution you’ve been seeking. Plus, they’re permanent. That doesn’t mean they’ll wear out over time – it means once they’re surgically implanted, they’re in place forever, just like a natural tooth root. And that’s what you want for a healthy smile. Your new teeth will never shift or fall out.
Beyond Dental Implants 101 in Los Angeles
Transform your smile, enhance your confidence, and transform your life with dental implants. Learn even more than the facts found here in this dental implant 101. Schedule a consultation with Downtown Dental in Los Angeles and find out if you’re a good candidate for this tooth replacement option.
Dr. Don Mungcal
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Dr. Don Mungcal, a distinguished dentist in Los Angeles, combines over three decades of experience with a deep commitment to patient care. A UCLA graduate, he earned his dental degree with honors from the University of the Pacific Dental School in 1990. Dr. Mungcal has been recognized as a Best Dentist in Downtown by the “Los Angeles Downtown News” for four years in a row and served as an instructor at USC Dental School. As an active member of the California Dental Society, among other prestigious organizations, he continually updates his expertise through extensive continuing education.
