If you are missing one or several teeth, a dental implant procedure may be the best solution. A dental implant procedure is a secure, reliable and aesthetically attractive technique of replacing missing teeth. At Encino Dentist, our dental implant procedures are performed by certified dentists who are specialized in fields such as oral surgery and periodontics. We also provide dental implant placement and maintenance. This article covers what you need to know about dental implant services and how you can contact us for professional help.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts inserted into the jaw through a surgical procedure. They are usually fixed underneath the gum line to provide stable support of dentures, crowns, or bridges. Dental implants do not need anchoring to other teeth like in the case of a dental bridge. Implants are considered the best approach to replacing missing teeth as we’ll see below.
Advantages of Having a Dental Implant
You have to note that dental implants aren’t a luxury but a necessity. They are preferred among patients and dentists since they provide multiple advantages for patients who have lost their teeth. The benefits include;
Implants save your teeth. Dental implants are a permanent way of replacing severely damaged or missing teeth. Also, during the surgery for dental implants, the intact teeth are not harmed in any way; that is, the adjacent teeth aren’t altered to support the implants.
Implants are reliable. The rate of success for a dental implant procedure is pretty high. The outcome can be predicted based on the quality of the bone. This way, the patient will have a good idea of how the surgery results will be.
Implants increase appeal. Dental implants improve the beauty of your smile. After the surgery, your beautiful smile is reinstated. They also enhance your natural-looking form and function.
Implants are durable. With proper care, dental implants would last for a lifetime. Even better, they are biocompatible, which means the body will never reject them. They have proven to be the ideal alternatives for natural teeth.
Implants prevent gum diseases. The space between missing teeth retains bacteria and food particles. The bacteria may lead to infection to the gum after a long time. A dental implant would help fill the gaps and prevent particles from being trapped. In turn, it will decrease the chance of developing gum disease.
Implants preserve natural bone. Compared to other dental treatment procedures, dental implants conserve the natural jawbone that later stimulates the growth of bone. The implant, in turn, promotes a natural healing process in the jaw.
Dental implants improve the ability to bite, chew, and speak comfortably and adequately.
Easy to maintain. To take care of dental implants, you just brush them and floss like you do regularly and go for routine checkups.
Finally, there is no slipping, movement or friction of the dental implants.
Options for Dental Implants
Single Tooth Implant
You can use a single implant to replace one missing tooth. Replacing a single tooth gives a natural-looking restoration that feels and operates in the same way as the natural tooth. Each implant is put in the very space that the extracted or missing tooth was. Restoring an implant comprises of three stages. They include placement of the implant, the connector, and then the crown (which is put on top and represents the body of the tooth). The whole process may not happen in one appointment because some components must only be restored after Osseointegration, i.e. fusing of the implant. Once the full integration of the implant with the jaw is achieved, a dental crown is placed on top. The crown has to match the color, size, and shape of the adjacent teeth to achieve an attractive replacement.
Multiple Teeth Implants
If several of your teeth have been extracted or damaged, you have multiple options. One option is to use individual implants to restore every missing tooth.
Another alternative is an implant bridge. A bridge restores the smile if you have multiple missing teeth in a row. When using this option, it means 2 to 6 implants may be used to do a single placement, for example, a partial denture, a full arch or a bridge that seals the whole gap.
Implant-Supported Dentures
These provide an alternative to traditional detachable dentures since several patients have complained of the latter having its disadvantages. Most of the issues revolve around traditional removal dentures not fitting comfortably, thus, causing restlessness. The dentures also restrict you on what you can eat safely and need high maintenance to remain clean.
Therefore, instead of using traditional detachable dentures, you can use implant dentures to replace all of your teeth on the lower arch, upper arch, or all the two. They provide the beauty and function you want, enabling an attractive smile. Implant-supported dentures utilize 4 to 6 implants per arch to hold in place one replacement. The implants minimize the mess and slipping of the dentures. Implant dentures are also known as anchor-supported dentures. Our dentists will help determine whether implant dentures are an ideal option for you.
Benefits of Implant Dentures
Apart from being an affordable alternative for replacing missing teeth, implant dentures have multiple benefits which include;
- They help in maintaining the density of the jawbone
- They fit comfortably
- They enable you to eat a wider food variety
- They only need minimal maintenance
- They provide a long-lasting outcome
The Cost of Implant Dentures
The cost of implant dentures ranges considerably depending on what you need; your clinical condition and the number of implants you want to do. The range estimate takes into account a fixed temporary healing implant denture, the ultimately fixed denture including all parts, surgical procedures, and lab fees. General anesthesia amenities are not included.
Generally, implant dentures may be a little bit cheaper than a whole set of dental implants. Our dentists usually review the expected total price with you at the time of your initial consultation. Also, if it interests you, we can discuss your dental financing choices. We will be happy to respond to any of your questions and address all of your concerns.
All-on-4 Teeth in One Day
With modern technology, it is possible to restore whole sets of missing/extracted teeth or non-replaceable teeth in a single procedure. By replacing all missing teeth at one time, it does away with the necessity of returning for subsequent treatment sessions like it is with conventional implantation. The all-on-4 process is totally personalized to enhance the color, shape, size, and fit for your replacements.
A 3D scanner is used to capture all the information about your oral structure and bite. After the details have been gathered, our dental team then builds the treatment preferences practically and plans out the surgical procedure and the likely treatment results before beginning the actual treatment. Once the patient agrees on the treatment plan, the surgery is done with the help of computed tomography guidelines. The technology allows for precise implant placement depending on your needs.
Lastly, a set of custom-made artificial teeth are attached to the implants. Mostly, between 4 and 6 implants are needed to restore the whole lower or upper jaw. You will discuss with our dentists what you want to be included in your treatment program when you come for the initial consultation. All-on-4 is made to enhance comfort for our patients. Thus, we will ensure the procedure is as satisfying as possible.
The all-on-4 replacement has the following benefits
- Excellent security and steadiness; No slippage
- Reduces gum irritation
- Easy to maintain
- A beautiful outcome
- No messy gels, pastes or any other adhesives
- The jawbone density is maintained
- You will be able to easily and comfortably speak, bite, and chew
What to expect during an all-on-4 process
This procedure is precisely used to restore an entire arch, be it the lower, the upper or both. However, you may still use implant dentures if you want to restore a quadrant of teeth. Our dentists will discuss available options at the initial consultation and go with the one you prefer. Our primary concern is to offer excellent care depending on your personal goals and needs. With this technique, you can successfully achieve;
- Upper arch restoration: In many cases, 4 implants are used to restore all the teeth on the upper arch. If any teeth are still intact, they will be cautiously extracted before the beginning of this procedure.
- Lower arch restor: Replacing teeth on the lower arch works in the same way as the upper arch. Usually, 4 dental implants are placed to hold the denture appliance. The appliance then restores all of your teeth on the lower arch. Just like in the upper arch, if you have teeth that are still intact, they will be extracted before the treatment begins.
- Full mouth restoration: If you want to replace all of your teeth on the lower and upper arches, a full mouth replacement is the recommended option. The procedure is customizable and enables us to reinstate your smile while expecting the best probable results. If the procedure is ideal for you, it is our job to provide you with full information on the process and what results to expect.
Our dentists capture dental images which help them plan the process with accuracy in order to obtain optimal results. During the process, they check if 4 or 6 implants will yield the desired outcome. Implant posts are driven through the gum line into the jaw. Here, they should slowly join with the jawbone. After it has healed, they attach the permanent denture. While in the healing process, you will be given a transitional denture, so you never lose your beautiful smile.
Types of Dental Implant
Because every patient has their own unique needs, implants are designed to satisfy the different desires of patients. Thus, they are found in varying heights, types, and sizes. For this reason, you have to consult with your dentist before starting treatment in order for the dentist to determine which implant they will use. We have two types of implants;
- Endosteal. These are generally made with a screw design, and they are comprised of titanium. They are made to be positioned in the jawbone. They are one of the most commonly used implants today.
- Subperiosteal. When you compare to Endosteal, these types of implants are positioned in the gum line but not directly placed on the jawbone. They are mostly used by patients who don’t want to wait for the augmentation procedure to restructure the natural bone. In other cases, it is used by patients who don’t have adequate and healthy natural jawbone to withstand the procedure.
Dental Implant Procedure
Going through a dental treatment procedure is an anxious stage for any patient. Most patients go to a dentist expecting pain and prolonged hours of metal tool grinding and scraping on their teeth. However, our dental clinic uses modern technology tools which means you don’t have to be concerned about any pain. The following are steps involved in a dental implant procedure which will make you comfortable about going through with the treatment at Encino Dentist.
- Initial consultation. Before going through to a dental implant procedure, your dentist has to thoroughly inspect your mouth to know the state of the intact teeth. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, more procedures like capturing 3D images and taking X-rays are also carried out. When the results are out, your dentist will then come up with a full plan of how the implant will be done and discuss it with you;
- Placing the implant. The dentist recommends a special appointment to be scheduled for this process to take place. During this visit, the dentist places the implant in the jawbone where the extracted tooth was to be replaced. This step involves performing various surgical steps. Therefore, you should expect discomfort and mild pain. However, the discomfort and the pain may go unnoticed, and they will not hinder you from performing your daily activities. Additionally, your dentist may minimize the discomfort by using local sedation. Bruises, swelling, pain and minor bleeding are common experiences once the procedure is complete. Still, you can easily manage all these by using over the counter medicines;
- Haul. After the placement of the implants, the healing process begins. The implants and the jawbone integrate and grow together because the natural bone remains untouched throughout the procedure. This process is referred to as Osseointegration. When they grow together, they form a firm and long-lasting base to allow for the replacement of the tooth. The healing process may last a few months. The healing depends on the condition of your teeth. Thus, it is recommended that you maintain a diet of soft foods to enable the complete healing of the teeth without causing any damage. You may also be required to wear a transitional tooth over the implant;
- Connector placement. Your dentist will make sure that the implant is fully integrated with the jawbone before carrying out this step. If the connection is stable enough, the dentist will go ahead to input a minor connector called abutment. The connector is placed around the gum line. It provides a medium over which the artificial teeth are placed. In other cases that the dentist will determine, the connector and the implant may be placed at the same time;
- Taking custom teeth impressions. With the connector in position, the dentist waits for the complete healing of the gums before taking mouth impressions and those of the remaining teeth. The impressions provide measurements for the crown that will be positioned on top of the implant. You may have one or multiple teeth restorations carried out at a time. The artificial tooth will then be attached to the connector to finalize on the entire procedure. Technically, the artificial tooth will not decay because they are artificial; but you still have to do the same cleaning and maintain dental hygiene that you did before the procedure;
- Consultation. It’s worth noting that the procedure for a dental implant cannot be started and finalized in a day. The complete process may last between 3 and 9 months. After you complete your treatment, you have to see your dentist regularly for follow-up check-ups to make sure your teeth do not develop any problem.
Finding a Dental Implant Dentist Near Me
Dental implant surgery is a procedure that needs an expert dentist who will not cause any further damage to your dental health. If you are in Encino, CA and are looking to get dental implant surgery, Encino Dentist will be happy to serve you. We have experienced and qualified dentists who work closely with you to ensure the best possible outcome. We use modern technology and provide a friendly and comfortable facility for our patients. Call us now at 818-650-0429. We will examine your dental issue and provide an ideal solution to your dental health problem.
