Important Facts About Dental Implants Los Angeles Patients Should Know

By Lucille Lamb


If someone has lost one or more teeth, he or she may be referred for dental implants. These are surgically installed artificial titanium posts which are topped with a prosthetic tooth. To learn more about dental implants Los Angeles patients can see a dentist to discuss this option.

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.

If this procedure is to be successful, there needs to be enough bone in the jaw to hold the implant. The dentist will be able to assess this by performing an examination, making impressions of the teeth, taking x-rays and if needed, a CT scan. When the bone is insufficient, other preliminary procedures may be necessary, such as grafting or augmentation.

It may take a few months to one year to completely finish the installation of implants. This mainly depends on whether they are being placed in the upper or lower jaw, and if a one or two-stage installation technique is being used. In the two-step procedure, the steel post is first implanted in the patient's jaw in the first operation, and in the second one a metal abutment is added. Some dentists prefer a procedure which involves all work being done at once.

If the patient does have sufficient bone, they will undergo surgery to drill small holes into the jaw bone and place the titanium posts into them. Normally this procedure is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist. In 4-7 months, the second step will be done.

The patient needs to wait before undergoing the second stage in this process because the implant and bone must fuse together and fortify so it can support the crown. The next procedure involves attaching an abutment, or tiny metal collar is secured to the post which serves the purpose of separating the implant from the gums. Sometimes it is removed after several days, other times it is left in place.

A temporary crown may be affixed to either the abutment or directly onto the steel post, and is worn by the patient while his or her permanent crown is being made according to the impressions the dentist made. The softer temporary crown facilitates healing of the gum tissues. After about 4-6 weeks, the permanent crown will be attached using screws or dental cement.

Implants require no different oral care than real teeth do, simply brush and floss them. The patient will return to the dentist to get the implants checked every three months at first, and later on every six months. Overall, after the installation of dental implants Los Angeles patients will be happy with the natural look they provide and most often they will last up to 25 years.




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