What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are simply replacement tooth roots for when your natural tooth is missing. They can be needed if you have recently had a tooth extracted or have lost teeth due to physical trauma.
These teeth implants act as anchors to support a dental crown or prosthesis, such as a bridge or denture. In other words, they are the foundation upon which a new smile can be built. At Encino Family Dental, Dr. Yassa and her team provide patients with high- quality implants that can support replacement teeth and help you regain confidence in your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental Implants vs. Bridges
Are Dental Implants As Strong As Real Teeth?
Can You Eat Hard Foods Like Nuts With Dental Implants?
How Long Do Implants Last?
The Procedure
Is The Procedure Painful?
FAQs
How do I get dental implants?
- Consultation: First, we meet with every patient to fully evaluate their situation. We check your oral health, jawbone density, and medical history. Based on the consultation, we can recommend a path forward.
- Preparation: Any oral health issues will need to be cleared out first. This includes infections, decay, or gum issues. You may also need bone grafting to build up jawbone material.
- Implant Placement: We surgically implant the titanium post into the gum where you are missing a tooth.
- Recovery: Now let that heal. This can take about 3 to 6 months, depending on individual healing rates.
- Impressions: With the post fused to the jawbone, you are ready for taking impressions. These catalog your teeth and bite, allowing for a custom-made crown that blends seamlessly with your smile.
- Crown Placement: With your crown back from the lab, you can come in for a fitting. We ensure a perfect fit and comfort before permanently making it a part of your smile.
How long does the process take?
Most patients can expect roughly 6 months for the entire process, though it can sometimes take as much as 8. Patients with overall good oral health tend to have a quicker process. If you need bone grafting or pre-treatment procedures, you may have an extra visit or two.
What is bone grafting?
The name may sound intimidating, but bone grafting is a quick and painless procedure that boosts your jawbone strength. We place a small amount of grafting material on the target jawbone area, which then encourages the bone to build itself up. This treatment allows patients to generate enough jawbone stability to eventually support a dental implant. Not all patients will need this step, though. Usually, it is for patients who have lost jawbone density due to longer periods of missing teeth.
What are implant-supported dentures?
While most patients use dental implants to replace one tooth at a time, you have additional options. Namely, you may qualify for implant-supported dentures if you are missing larger numbers of teeth (or all of them). These are similar to traditional dentures, but instead of resting on the gums, they affix to dental implants. This gives them added stability while still being easy to remove and clean.
How long do dental implants last?
The implanted post is built to last a lifetime. If you have good oral health and avoid gum disease, you can expect to get decades of benefits from it. The crown will also last for years, with many patients seeing 15+ years. However, its durability depends on several factors, including:
- Oral health and dental hygiene
- Type of material
- Avoidance of injuries
How much do dental implants cost?
Getting dental implants tends to cost a few thousand dollars per tooth. The final cost will include any pre-treatment (e.g., bone grafting), the implants, your crowns, and everything else. We break down a personalized quote during your consultation before you commit to any treatment.
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