Important Facts About Dental Implants Los Angeles Patients Should Know

By Lucille Lamb


When someone has a missing single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants may be the best solution. A small steel post is implanted in the patient's jaw bone, and then a prosthetic tooth is secured onto it. In order to determine if they are good candidates for dental implants Los Angeles patients can consult a dentist.

The implant unit is comprised of three parts, which act as a substitute for the tooth and its root system. The titanium steel post must be surgically embedded in the jaw, which is followed by the addition of an abutment or collar onto it, and lastly a crown made of composite or porcelain is cemented or screwed on.

The dentist will want to first examine the patient's mouth, take some impressions of the teeth and x-rays, and order a CT scan if indicated. If the procedure is to be a success, there needs to be an adequate amount of bone in the jaw to secure the implant into, this is what the dentist seeks to determine through testing. In patients without enough bone, there are other options such as bone augmentation or grafting.

The length of time it takes to fully complete this process varies depending on where the implant is placed, and whether a one-stage or two-stage approach is used. Traditionally, the steel post is inserted in one operation and the abutment, which holds the crown in a second operation. However, some dentists are now using a procedure in which everything is done at the same time.

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 purpose of waiting after the first surgery, is to let the bone fuse together with the implant, as it is intended to function as an artificial tooth root and must be strong. The second surgery involves affixing a tiny round, metal collar or "abutment" onto the post which is meant to separate the gum tissue from the implant. This is kept in place for 10 to 14 days and then the crown replaces it.

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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