Injuries, tooth decay, and gum disease are an inevitable part of life. In the past, the only teeth replacement options available were bridges and dentures. That meant a life of frequent visits to the dentist for adjustments, ill-fitting restorations, and routine replacements.
But now, with dental implants in Manhattan Beach, California, Beachside Smiles offers a natural-looking, permanent solution to tooth loss. A dental implant uses a titanium screw surgically inserted in the jawbone. The implant post naturally fuses with the jawbone to create a solid, predictable foundation for the replacement teeth.Â
The dental implant treatment: What to expect
The dental implant placement is a multi-step procedure that starts with a comprehensive oral exam. During this consultation, we’ll examine your oral health to ensure you are free from decay and gum infection. We’ll also inspect your jawbone to ensure it’s healthy enough to support an implant.
After the initial exam, the other steps involved in the treatment include:
- Pre-surgery procedures: Some patients go straight to implant surgery, but others require supplemental procedures to make them eligible for implants. If you have a failing tooth, we’ll extract it to pave the way for a dental implant. Furthermore, if you have severe bone loss, we recommend a bone graft to replenish lost bone tissue.
- Implant surgery: Your comfort is our priority, so we’ll ensure you remain comfortable throughout the implant procedure. We’ll anesthetize your gums with local anesthesia to ensure you feel no discomfort during treatment. Still, if you want additional comfort, you can talk to us about sedation dentistry. Once you are comfortable, the dentist will surgically place a titanium post at a precise position in the jawbone.
- Healing and fusion: Over the next 4-6 months, we’ll leave the implant to allow it to bond with the jawbone through osseointegration. After the natural integration process, the implant and jawbone fuse into one biological structure to form a solid foundation for replacement teeth.
- Abutment placement: After the healing, you’ll return to our office to attach a small metal connector (abutment) to the implant. An abutment protrudes through the gum line to link the implant to the final restoration. During this appointment, we’ll take your bite impressions to create your customized prosthetic tooth (teeth).
- Final restoration: Finally! The most exciting part of the implant treatment. We’ll top off your implant with a lifelike dental crown or a denture if replacing multiple teeth. The final restoration will be the visible and functional part of the implant.
With a success rate of over 95%, dental implants are a safe, predictable tooth replacement. Combined with a natural-looking crown or denture, a dental implant looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.Â
Benefits of dental implants
Dental implants are head and shoulders ahead of other teeth replacements. Some benefits of dental implants include:
- Prevent jawbone loss
- Enhanced oral function
- Boosted self-confidence
- Flexibility to replace one or multiple missing teeth
- Durable aesthetics and function
- Stabilizes nearby teeth
Caring for implants isn’t cumbersome. You must maintain your implant-supported restorations as you care for your natural teeth. Generally, you should brush and floss your teeth and see a dentist every six months.
Schedule an implant consultation today!
For more information on implants and how they can improve your smile, call (310) 643-6004 to schedule an appointment with Beachside Smiles of Manhattan Beach, CA. Dental implants not only restore your smile but also replenish the fullness of life you once had with your natural teeth.
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