Of all the modern tooth replacement options available at Dreamland Dental in Bellflower, dental implants are by far the best. Implants not only give you a prosthetic tooth that is nearly as strong and stable as your natural tooth, but also preserve the underlying bone tissue that naturally deteriorates when you lose a tooth, causing your face to deform. And with the ability to match the color of the crown to that of your existing teeth, the replacement tooth is virtually unnoticeable when you smile.

So What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants refer to small titanium, screw-like posts that are surgically implanted into the bone and gums – at the site of the missing tooth – to serve as the root of your new tooth replacement. The surgical procedure is a minor and routine procedure performed under local anesthesia.

Tooth replacement through dental implants usually takes several months. One or more implants can be placed at the same time, but you need to wait 3-6 months for the biocompatible implant to bond with the jaw bone, through a process known as osseointegration.

During this healing period, the dentist will install temporary crowns so you can speak and eat normally, and prevent a toothless smile.

When the implant is firmly anchored to the jaw bone, you will return to the dentist to have the abutment – base of your artificial tooth above the gum line – installed. The dentist will then take an impression of the abutment and take it to the lab to help create your custom permanent crown restoration that matches your existing teeth.

When your custom crown is ready, you will be asked to return to the dentist to complete your dental implant restoration treatment. The success rate for dental implants is over 95%, which is the highest among available modern tooth-replacement options.

Uses of Dental Implants

Your dentist may recommend dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth. Depending on your case, you can use the implant to:

1. Replace one missing tooth

A single implant can be placed to replace the root of one missing tooth, and a crown attached to it to simulate your actual tooth. This is a permanent treatment that can last for years with proper oral hygiene. Although implants do not stain or decay, post-care is just as important as for your natural teeth.

2. Replace multiple missing teeth

When used to replace multiple teeth, you don’t necessarily need one implant for every site. Depending on the size of the gap, the dentist may place two or more implants at intervals to act as supports to anchor the fixed bridgework. For instance, when you have two missing teeth, you can have one implant and a bridge supported by the crown, so the adjacent natural teeth won’t need to be prepared for bridgework.

3. Replace all your teeth permanently

With as few as 4-6 implants, you can install an entire arch of full dentures with 10 to 12 teeth, in the upper or lower jaw. The dentures can either be fixed or removable.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most healthy patients with sufficient bone tissue can enjoy the benefits of implants. But there are some chronic conditions that may affect the success of your treatment. Visit Dreamland Dental for a careful evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants.