If tooth decay or trauma has left “gaps” in your smile, you may feel dejected, but you don’t have to live the rest of your life with that gap. In Los Angeles, California, dental implants from Downtown Dental are a welcome relief for patients who have missing teeth or wear uncomfortable dentures that may be cumbersome to maintain.
But what goes into the dental implant placement process? Is the treatment painful? A flurry of questions might clog your mind every time you are about to undergo a dental procedure. Keeping well informed about the treatment beforehand alleviates fears and helps you get the most out of the process.
The dental implant process
Dental implant placement is a multi-stage process that can take several months to place a solid tooth-root-like metal base into the gums. Every patient has a different time frame for the treatment depending on their case – so we always like to help manage your expectations ahead of time – no surprises! Here are the steps involved in the process.
- Consultation: The first step involves a consultation with Dr. Don Mungcal. Here, your dentist explains the implant process and answers any questions you might have about the procedure. Next, Dr. Mungcal evaluates your jawbone to determine if you have sufficient bone to support an implant. If not, we can perform a bone graft (adding natural, healthy bone tissue to the area) to give you the support necessary to place and keep that implant.
- Tooth removal: Dental implants act as tooth roots to support a crown or bridge. As such, an implant needs space to be positioned. If you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth, we have to remove it first.
- Dental implant surgery: This is the step that most people are jittery about because it’s “invasive.” It sounds scary – yes. However, we use anesthesia and other gentle techniques to make the process painless, fast, and comfortable.
- After installation, it will take about seven months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. The result is a firmly placed implant that can support a crown. And your bite!
- Abutment placement: Since the implant is beneath the gum line, an abutment is a piece screwed onto the implant. We then cement your crown onto this abutment. Simply put, an abutment adds length to the implant and acts as a shock absorber when you chew or bite.
- Permanent restoration: Finally, the most rewarding stage is placing a crown, bridge, or dentures to complete your tooth restoration.
While the dental implant process may take several months, the result is well worth the wait. You will get a tooth replacement that acts and feels like the original tooth, lasts longer, and helps preserve the overall health of your teeth and gums much better than traditional bridges and dentures!
Dental implant dentist in Los Angeles, California
Are you looking for a dental implant dentist in Los Angeles, CA? Please dial 213-863-9464 to book an appointment with Downtown Dental. Dr. Don Mungcal and his team will install high-quality dental implants to replace your teeth permanently.
