Dental Implants in LA

Dental implants are a dental procedure used to replace a missing tooth or multiple teeth without touching the existing teeth in the mouth. Dental implants are a natural looking and a permanent solution to tooth loss. They restore the function of the missing teeth and support the bone structure.

Why Get Implants?

Dental implants are appropriate for adults who have lost a tooth or multiple teeth. Missing a tooth can have a negative effect on chewing, eating and biting. When teeth are missing, your other teeth can shift, causing facial changes as well as bite imbalances. Dental implants restore full functionality to the mouth. Implants can also be used as an anchor to support dentures or dental bridges.

A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw bone that acts as the root structure for the missing tooth. After the bone has infused with the implant, it becomes stable and part of the jaw bone. Therefore, it is able to support dental work such as a crown or bridge. Implants are very durable and can last a lifetime. Dental implants should be treated and maintained the same as natural teeth.

The Procedure

Before the dental implants procedure can start, the patient must first visit a dentist for a consultation. If you are in the LA area, Dr. Carmella Mashian is a specialist in dental implants, and is the top provider of dental implants in LA. This consultation will involve an X-rays and sometimes a CT scan to establish exactly where the implants should be placed and also to check the strength of the bone where the implant will be placed. After the consultation, the patient and dentist can begin to plan the dental implant procedure.

The first step of the procedure is to place the implant into the jawbone. Local anesthetic is administered before the process starts to ensure that the patient is comfortable. The dentist will then create a pilot hole in the jawbone to house the titanium post. After the pilot hole is made, the surgeon can then insert the titanium implant screw. After the procedure is finished, there is a healing period that can last anywhere from two to six months so that the bone will have time to integrate with the implant.

Aftercare

When the healing period is finished and the implant and bone have fused, your dentist will attach an abutment, or supporting structure, to the titanium post embedded in the jaw. The abutment will then be attached to a temporary crown so that the gums around the implant area can reshape themselves to their normal state. After the gums have reshaped, the dentist will then attach a permanent Porcelain crown to the abutment, and the procedure will be complete.

After the dental implant procedure is completed, it is imperative that the patient takes care of the implants as if they were natural teeth, including regular brushing and flossing. Follow-up appointments with the dentist should also be set up to ensure that there are no problems with the dental implants.

Dental Implants in LA

Dental implants are a logical solution to missing teeth and can last a lifetime. Remember; visit Dr. Carmella Mashian if you need dental implants in LA.