Your Comprehensive Guide to Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants 

Tooth loss is a world-wide problem that can significantly affect your oral health and quality of life. Not only do missing teeth affect your smile and facial esthetics, but even a single missing tooth can create difficulty in eating and speaking normally. In fact, missing teeth may affect your self-confidence and prevent you from enjoying your favorite food. Therefore, dental implants we offer our Los Angeles patients could be the answer to all your missing teeth related problems. The dental implant cost in Los Angeles will be discussed by a board certified specialist in the field of oral implantology. 

What are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, an implant is a screw-shaped devise that is made from titanium alloys or ceramic material. Dr. Khalifeh, a highly trained board-certified dental implants specialist can full-fill your dental implants need. He will insert an implant into the jawbone which then serves as the root component of an artificial tooth.

Once an implant has been inserted, bone tissue gradually starts to form around it. After that, the implant becomes firmly anchored within the jawbone. After 3-6 months of healing period, a dental implant will be ready to support a prosthesis. For instance, a crown, fixed bridge, or an overdenture can be made to fit over the healed implant/s.  

Who Can Benefit from Dental Implants?

Most patient is good candidates for getting dental implants. However, there are few medical and mouth conditions that might contraindicate implant treatment. Therefore, Dr. Khalifeh will let you know if you are a good candidate for dental implants or not. Dental implants can be an ideal tooth replacement option in the following cases:

1. Not Satisfied with Conventional Dentures 

In case, you are not happy with your removable denture’s fit or esthetics, you can switch over to implant-supported over denture which offer superior comfort, convenience, and esthetics compared with dentures. Unlike conventional dentures, implant-supported over dentures are firmly supported and retained entirely by the implants.

2. Single Tooth Replacement

Dental implant is the best solution for a single missing tooth. Your Los Angeles dental implant specialist, Dr. Khalifeh will insert an implant and then replace the missing tooth by attaching an esthetically pleasant ceramic crown over it. 

3. Multiple Missing Teeth 

However, for individuals who have lost multiple teeth, an implant-supported fixed bridge is a great long-lasting solution.

4. No Teeth 

If you have lost all your teeth in one or both jaws, you might be a good candidate for having only four or six implants in each jaw to support a complete fixed bridge. In other words, a prosthesis is known as an all-on-four or all-on-six implant-supported fixed bridge, respectively. 

What Can I Expect During the Implant Placement Procedure?

The process for tooth replacement with dental implants is usually carried out in multiple steps:

1. Clinical Examination and Treatment Planning

Firstly, Dr, Khalifeh will perform a thorough clinical examination of your teeth and oral cavity to determine your eligibility for getting implants. Additionally, Dr. Khalifeh will also assess the density and quality of the underlying bone to assess whether it can firmly anchor the implants. If sufficient healthy jawbone is not available, Dr. Khalifeh might perform additional procedures to replenish bone density and quantity. In other words, he might perform bone graft, ridge augmentation, or a sinus lift procedure.

Secondly, we will take a 3D CT bone scan and intra-oral 3D scan to prepare a customized treatment plan that details the exact location, angulation, and the number of implants needed for replacing your missing teeth. In other words, surgical guide will be made to ensure accurate implants planning and placement. 

2. Surgical Procedure 

A surgical appointment to insert the implants is the next step. Firstly, Dr. Khalifeh will make an incision over the soft tissues covering the jawbone to raise a flap. Secondly, he will carefully drill a hole at predetermined sites as indicated by the surgical guide where the implant insertion has been planned. Thirdly, the preselected implant will be screwed in gently using special instrument.

Once the implant/s are inserted, healing collar (abutment) will be attached to the implants to ensure undisturbed healing of the surgical site. Finally, the surgical flap will be sutured back to its place.

In some cases, Dr. khalifeh may also place a temporary restoration over the implants so that you don’t have to go without your teeth while healing takes place. This temporary restoration is only for restoring your facial esthetics and is not meant to be used for eating. 

3. Implant Loading  

After about 3-6 months, we take an x-ray image of the implant site to assess the healing progress. In other words, we move forward to the restorative phase only if sufficient healing has taken place and healthy bone tissue has formed around the implant/s. Dr. Khalifeh will remove the temporary restoration and attach a custom-made permanent restoration over it. Congratulations! Now you are the owner of a fully functional and beautiful smile with implants. 

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

There are several advantages of replacing missing teeth with dental implants over conventional dentures and bridges:

Durability 

Dental implants are made of extremely strong titanium alloys or Zirconia, in other words, they are highly durable. According to the American Dental Association, you can expect dental implants to last a lifetime if they are looked after properly through regular oral hygiene care. 

Eat and Speak Normally 

Denture wearers often have problems eating and speaking as they must continuously use their tongues to keep them from falling. However, this problem is eliminated with implants because they are anchored in the jawbone just like natural teeth. Dental implants also firmly support any prosthesis that is attached to them. Most importantly, dental implants allow you to eat all your favorite foods including steaks, and other hard foods! In addition, they allow you to talk clearly and normally. 

Naturally Pleasing Esthetics 

In conclusion, dental implants allow for the placement of esthetically pleasant ceramic crowns over them allowing restoring your smile and facial esthetics. In conclusion, oral implants are the next best closest tooth replacement option to natural teeth. 

Jawbone Conservation 

Since dentures rest on oral soft tissues and jawbone, they can cause excessive bone resorption. Above all, this will cause facial structural changes and weakening of the jawbone. On the other hand, dental implants have a unique quality of bone formation around them. Hence, they conserve bone tissue around them. 

Tooth Conservation

Dental bridges require removing a layer of enamel from the healthy supporting teeth. Over time, these teeth become vulnerable to sensitivity and dental cavities. Since implants are anchored directly into the bone, they don’t require sacrificing healthy tooth structure. 

Are Dental Implants Best Option for Restoring my Missing Teeth?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the best currently available option. In other words, owing to their design, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Above all, they also do not require any special care – unlike removable dentures. Simply brush and floss daily, to protect your natural teeth and your oral implants. Call Dr. Khalifeh, your Los Angeles dental implants specialist today and begin your journey towards a healthy, beautiful, and confident smile with dental implants.