Dental Implants: What You Should Know

Tooth loss due to injury, decay, or gum disease is just the beginning of deeper trouble. Missing teeth alters bite alignment and slowly but surely brings about changes in the facial contours. It raises cosmetic concerns and lowers self-confidence. Dental implants offered by leading dental implants Los Angeles clinics are seen as a perfect solution to fix the problem. The restorative procedure involves surgically implanting an artificial tooth in the gap. The new add-on looks, feels and functions like natural teeth and helps cope with various issues. But a lot goes into making a dental implant procedure successful. Here’s all you need to know about the procedure and its preparation:

Purpose Of Dental Implants

The key role of a dental implant is to fill up the gap left behind by a missing tooth. Also, there may be cases with one or more missing teeth. Dental implants in Los Angeles help plug this gap thereby providing a range of benefits. These include:

Improved Aesthetics – A missing tooth in the smile line is often the awkward spot. It is more conspicuous when one speaks or smiles, lowering one’s confidence. The artificial teeth fill up the gap and look and feel just like natural teeth. 

Functional Benefits – Teeth are important not just for chewing, but also for effective and clear speech. The Los Angeles dental implants fill the gaps and help restore the ability to chew properly. It also ensures improved speech oration and adds stability and strength to the adjacent teeth. 

Types Of Dental Implants

All dental implants aim for similar results. However, their way of addressing the issue will depend upon various underlying factors. There are two types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal implants. 

The endosteal implant is the most commonly used type of dental implant. It involves the surgical placement of a small titanium screw into the jawbone. The screw gradually fuses with the bone and acts as an anchor for one or more teeth. 

However, some patients do not have a healthy jawbone to support the endosteal implant. In such cases, the metal root cannot be drilled deep into the jawbone. For them, the subperiosteal implant is placed above the bone.

Single Tooth Vs Multiple Teeth Implant

Single tooth implant is an effective solution for replacing a missing tooth. Depending upon the location of the missing tooth, a more focused and targeted replacement strategy is designed to plug the gap. 

But for patients with several missing teeth, multiple teeth implants offer a more comprehensive approach. Different dental implant techniques are available to help replace adjacent teeth, non-adjacent teeth, and a full dental arch. 

Dental Implants – Treatment Duration

It can take anything from a few months to up to a year for a dental implant treatment to be complete. It starts with understanding the concern and evaluating the condition of the teeth, gums, and jawbone health. 

Single-tooth endosteal implants are the fastest to execute. It takes about three months to complete the procedure. But for more complex cases or in the case of multiple teeth implants, the process is long drawn. 

Dental Implant Step-By-Step Guide

The entire process of dental implants passes through different stages. The step-by-step procedure is as follows:

Evaluation – This is the first step. It checks the eligibility of the candidate for dental implants. The dentist checks the condition of the teeth, gums, and jawbone health and closely evaluates the reason for tooth loss. 

Treatment Strategy – The location of the missing tooth, the number of teeth to be replaced, and the need for bone grafting (for patients with weak jawbone) help decide the best course of action. 

Implant Placement – Depending upon the best fit for the type of dental implant, the metal root is either drilled into the bone (endosteal implant) or placed above it (subperiosteal implant). In either case, it is a surgical process and one feels discomfort and swelling in the initial week. 

Osseointegration – It is the process wherein the natural bone grows around the metal root. As the metal root fuses with the bone, it gives adequate anchoring strength to the implant root. The osseointegration is the longest phase in the treatment journey and takes almost 3-6 months for the fixture to function as the artificial tooth’s root. 

Abutment Placement – After the metal root fuses with the bone, an abutment is attached to the implant. The abutment is a metal extender that acts as the connector between the dental crown and the root. It takes a few days to several weeks for the gums to heal after the abutment placement.

Dental Crown – This is the final stage of the dental implant procedure. The dental crown is a look-alike of the natural teeth. It is custom-made to match the shape and color of the teeth. The dentist will ensure a proper fitting of the crown for its proper functioning. 

Final Thoughts

Missing teeth can be a worrisome situation with rising concerns of functional and cosmetic issues. But dental implants promise permanent relief. Leading dentistry clinics like the Personal Dental Office in Los Angeles specialize in dental implants. With state-of-the-art technology and the most experienced dental surgeons on board, one can be sure of the best treatment for missing teeth. If you are considering dental implants for your missing teeth, schedule an appointment to talk with the dentist about the best type of dental implant procedure for you.