Long Beach dentist, Dentist in Long Beach, CA

Dental Implants

Dental implants are becoming more popular in today’s dental society for a number of reasons. Implants are utilized to offer patients a foundation for new restorative teeth where natural teeth are missing or have been extracted. The implant offers the patient the opportunity to regain normal function of a single tooth or multiple teeth as needed. Implants can also be a great stabilizer under a partial or complete denture.

Benefits

· The implant will osseointegrate (bond) with the existing bone.

· The new implant will support your teeth firmly and safely.

· Your new implants are aesthetically pleasing.

· You will no longer have pain during talking or eating.

· The dental implant will prevent progressive bone loss.

· Implants have a proven scientific basis.

Procedure

The tooth structure has two main sections, the root and the crown. The root is the section of the tooth that is below the gumline. A dental implant acts as a new root anchor. The first step of the procedure is surgical placement of the implant. Under regular dental anesthetic, the gum tissue is opened and the implant is precision-guided into the jawbone. The gum tissue is then sutured closed and allowed to heal for a period of 3-6 months. Surprisingly, often patients report very little discomfort with this procedure. This process can take from 1-3 hours depending on the number of implants being placed.

During the 3-6 month healing time, the bone will grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration. A removable crown may be utilized during this time period to allow for chewing and to preserve the cosmetic appearance.

The next step in the process is to attach the crown portion to the anchored implanted tooth. This is achieved by exposing the top of the implant and placing the abutment. This is the part of the implant that will support the final crown.

Finally, an impression is taken of the implant and a final restoration is crafted. This restoration will be comfortable and cosmetically pleasing. Your completed implant will be fully functional, allowing you to resume normal activities.