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Dental Implants
Tooth loss can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Even if it is a single tooth, having a gap in your smile can cause a number of issues, both physically and psychologically. Modern dentistry aims to correct and protect every aspect of your smile. One excellent option for addressing tooth loss is dental implants.
Our mission is to provide patients with a smile they can feel confident in at LA Wilshire Periodontics. We work with our patients to provide them with the tools and knowledge to have lifelong dental health through our expert knowledge of periodontics.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root used in dentistry to replace a tooth or group of teeth. Typically, the implant consists of a titanium screw with a roughened or smooth surface. As the name implies, this screw is "implanted" into the patient's jaw. Once installed, your body naturally begins to develop bone around the implant, holding it even more securely than your natural teeth.
The implant provides a base for your replacement tooth called a crown. Each crown is custom made so that it fits perfectly into your smile. Your replacement tooth will be extremely durable yet feel completely natural.
Dental implants are a sturdier tooth-saving method than traditional bridgework. The reason is that implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. After implementation, dental implants look and feel natural. Proper placement and active patient maintenance of the implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Dental implants are ideal for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease or injury. Many patients can benefit from having a dental implant. However, there are two kinds of patients who would benefit the most from this procedure. In both cases, patients need to have sufficient bone structure in their jaw to support the implants.
Single-Tooth Replacement
Implants are extremely effective for patients who need to replace only a single tooth. If the teeth neighboring the missing tooth are in a severe state of decay, a bridge might be better. But when you have otherwise healthy teeth in your mouth, a dental implant is the perfect replacement.
You can also replace multiple teeth with implants, but each one will require being installed through surgery.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Traditional dentures have a tendency to slip out at the wrong moment or feel too loose. You might consider dental implants to support specially-made dentures if you need to replace all the teeth on your lower or upper jaw.
Implant-supported dentures provide the convenience of dentures but with added stability.
WHAT CAN DENTAL IMPLANTS DO
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
- Used for anchorage during orthodontic treatment.
ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS OVER DENTURES OR A BRIDGE
Aesthetic
Dental implants look and feel natural! Once they are in place, they integrate into the structure of the bone. This prevents the bone loss and gum recession that often go with bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth. If you take good care of your replacement tooth, it will last for years and keep a healthy appearance.
Tooth-Saving
Neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. Unlike a bridge, this allows the rest of your teeth left untouched. With bridges, the neighboring teeth need to be filed down to fit in the "caps" of the bridge. With implants, you receive a significant long-term benefit to oral health!
Confidence
Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom, unlike dentures. You don't need to fret about them falling out of your mouth. What's more, they'll let you say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
Reliable
The success rate of dental implants is predictable. They are an excellent option for tooth replacement. When performed by an experienced doctor, you are almost guaranteed to reach your goals.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw supports the implant. The best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
Dental implants connect gum tissues and underlying bone in the mouth. Since periodontists, the dentist you specialize in this area, are ideal members of your dental implant team. Your dentist and periodontist will work together to make your dreams come true.
SURGICAL PLANNING
Periodontal procedures lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry. This also improves the aesthetics of your gum line.
Periodontal crown lengthening procedure is for teeth that appear short. There is also gum exposure when you smile. Sometimes, teeth may have proper lengths but cover too much gum tissue. To fix this, a periodontist can perform a crown lengthening procedure to expose more of your natural tooth.
During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue are reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, to even the gum line, or to several teeth to reveal a natural, broader smile.
Our periodontist may also recommend crown lengthening. They are allowing restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Tooth decay, broken below the gum line, or insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge, can all be factors. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.
Crown lengthening improves function and aesthetics. Patients receive the benefits of a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health — your keys to smiling, eating, and speaking with comfort and confidence.
BASIC PROCEDURE
The placement of a dental implant requires a preparation into the bone. Using precision drills prevents overheating or too much pressure on the bone. Once the bone grows on the implant (osseointegration), a tooth or teeth can is placed on the implant. The amount of time required to place an implant will vary. Factors include the experience of the practitioner, the bone, and the individual.
HEALING TIME
In general, implants heal for about 2–6 months before they are used to support crowns, bridges, or dentures. Some studies have shown that early loading of the implant may not increase early or long-term complications. If the implant is loaded too soon, the implant may move and fail. The patient needs to follow post-operative instructions to maximize implant success.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have experienced tooth loss, we recommend addressing the issue as soon as possible. Waiting will only bring more difficulty. Schedule an appointment today with LA Wilshire Periodontist to learn more about your tooth replacement options.
Our friendly staff will be glad to provide you with any additional information. Our goal is for every patient we have to live a life where they can be proud of their smile.