Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental restorations.
Dental implants are artificial roots (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile.
Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.
Reason for Dental Implants:
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- Restore a patient’s confident smile.
- Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
- Restore or enhance facial tissues.
- Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
- What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?
The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months. X-rays, scans, and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone. This typically happens over the course of three months. We call this the healing phase. Depending on the type of implant, a second small surgery (typically 5-10 minutes) may be required in order to place the “post” that will join the artificial tooth (crown) to the implant. This is called an Abutment. An Abutment is effectively the interface between the implant and the Crown which resembles a natural tooth. On occasions, the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time as implant placement to facilitate placement of an aesthetic temporary crown.
After the healing phase, the artificial tooth or teeth (crowns) are made and fitted to the post that will join/connect the Crown to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.
You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.
Immediate Implant Placement
Dr. Woo has extensive experience in immediate implant placement, and can often place an implant at the same visit as a dental extraction. Dr. Ardalan works closely with Dr. Woo on each and every case. In many cases, the team effort under the same roof allows a seamless transition from planning to the surgical appointment to placement of the temporary and the final permanent restorations.
If you have any questions about Implants, please make an appointment for a complementary consultation. Dr. Ian Woo is a dual-degreed MD, OMS graduate of USC, with many years of experience and a track record of many tens of thousands of successful surgical procedures.