Important Facts About Dental Implants Los Angeles Patients Should Know

By Lucille Lamb


People who have lost an individual tooth or several teeth in different places may be good candidates for dental implants. These consist of a synthetic tooth which attaches onto a titanium steel post that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone. To find out if they are eligible for dental implants Los Angeles patients can visit a dentist.

The implant unit is intended to replace the lost tooth and its root system and is made up of three parts. The titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw, a metal collar which goes over it called an "abutment" and the porcelain or composite crown, which is adhered with either dental cement or a screw.

In order for this procedure to be effective, there must be sufficient bone in the jaw and it needs to be strong enough to hold the implant in place. To determine if this is the case, the dentist will examine the patient's mouth, make some impressions, and take some x-rays and possibly a CT scan. If there is not enough bone, the dentist will discuss options to remedy this such as augmentation or grafting.

The total length of time to complete the procedure depends on the whether a one or two-stage approach is used and if the implant is on the upper or lower jaw, as the former takes longer. Using the traditional process, the steel post is inserted in the first surgery and another is performed to secure the abutment. Some dentists prefer to install the entire implant, including the post and crown at once.

If the dentist is satisfied that there is enough bone, the first surgery to install the titanium post will be arranged. This procedure is usually done by an oral surgeon or a periodontist as it involves drilling into the jaw. After 4-7 months time, the next stage can be completed.

The reason for waiting a few months after the installation of the implant, is because it needs time to fuse with the bone and act as the "root" for the synthetic tooth. The second procedure consists of securing a small, metal collar called an "abutment" to the post which separates it from the gums. These are sometimes left in place for 10 to 14 days and replaced with a crown and other times they are permanently left in.

Some dentists use a technique in which the abutment remains as part of the implant and the temporary crown is attached onto it. Other times, there is no abutment, rather the dentist affixes the crown directly onto the steel post. The purpose of using a temporary crown is that it prepares the implant for the permanent one and permits healing of the gum tissue before the permanent one is placed in about 4-6 weeks. Impressions are used to custom-build these crowns.

Taking care of implants is no different than caring for natural teeth, they simply require brushing and flossing. The patient will need to see the dentist every 3 months to make sure the implant has taken properly, and eventually only every six months. Most often after getting dental implants Los Angeles patients will feel more confident about their appearance and can enjoy the results for as much as 25 years.




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