High-Tech Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

The big benefit to dental implants is that they can replace a missing tooth. There are several ways to replace a missing tooth but if the patient has enough jaw bone remaining, the missing tooth can be replaced with a dental implant and it will look and feel just like a natural tooth. The beauty of dental implants is that they do not decay, are not hot or cold sensitive, feel just like natural teeth and can last a lifetime. Dental Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, can be used with porcelain crowns, porcelain bridges and with partial dentures and full dentures. (See some of our Dental Implant Case Studies)

A dental implant is being placed in the jawbone with the use of a stint to guide the drilling process. The Stint is blue and is snapped over your existing teeth with a hole precisely made to guide the dentist in placing the implant for the best possible angle and location in the jawbone.

How can I get a Dental Implant?

The implant is surgically placed in the jawbone and a porcelain crown is cemented to the top of the implant. Generally, it is best to wait several months before the crown is cemented to the dental implant to allow the jawbone to firmly adhere to the dental implant. Implant dentistry needs to be planned and there are several technologies to help with more accurate placement and bone assessment before surgery is started. Most implants are placed with a local anesthetic although a patient can be sedated.

High Technology for Dental Implants?

The newest technology utilized for the planning of dental implants is Cat Scan imaging with computerized planning. The dentist can see the bone and place the very best shape and size of implant by viewing the amount of bone in the jaw. Dental Implants can be placed by the dentist in the right location, right angle and with the right implant with advanced computerized planning. One of the best technologies is Complex Motion Tomography for placing one or two implants because the patient is exposed to low amounts of radiation. Cat Scan imaging exposes the patient to more radiation than necessary in many cases.

Cat Scan image with computerized superimposed implants are part of the planning system

What about the Implant in an Hour Advertisement?

The patient needs to be careful about advertising, as it can be misleading. Even worse, you could get the implant in an hour only to end up with infection and failure. Much of this type of advertising has been cut back because it is not a good idea to rush the healing process. The chances of success go down when short cuts are taken. All of the implants in an hour, do not fail but the success rate is lower than the more proven approach of waiting a few months for healing to complete.

Which is the Best Type of Dental Implant?

There are many different brands of implants with some being more expensive than another. Because it is something that is inserted in your body and can be expensive, complicated and bad for you health if it goes bad, the bigger brand names are recommended. Brand names like Astra, ITI, Straumann, and NobelBiocare to name the biggest.

What is the Most Important Part of a Dental Implant?

By far, the most important part of getting a dental implant is the dentist you choose. Sometimes one dentist will place and restore the implant while other times one dentist will place the implant and another will restore the implant with a crown. The quality, experience and training of the dentist is the most important element in your care. A dentist that is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry would be one of the very best selections possible. (More about your Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist.)

Can anyone get a Dental Implant?

Almost anyone can have a dental implant but a few health problems need to be considered. Smoking, diabetes, weak jawbone, osteoporosis, dry mouth and other medical problems that prohibit complete healing can be contraindications for dental implants.

How do I care for my Dental Implant?

You care for your dental implant just like a natural tooth. You need to brush, floss and water pik around the implant twice per 24 hour period.