At LiveWell Dentistry, we strive to help you make your smile absolutely beautiful. We specialize in performing dentistry to treat both the health and appearance of your teeth and smile. Dental implant surgery has been a common procedure in the medical field for almost 30 years. The procedure helps people feel confident about their artificial teeth – or crowns, because the base has been secured firmly. Our specialist performing dental implants in Santa Monica use modern technology to get you the best results possible.
Dental Implants
Restoring Form and Function so You can Focus on What's Important
What are dental implants?
Implants provide a strong foundation for natural-looking replacement teeth.
Dental implants typically look like metal screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone, almost acting like the root of your artificial tooth. These implants are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth, while also being a great alternative solution to having removable dentures.
Dental implants are usually formed from titanium, and are surgically inserted into the upper or lower jaw bone by a Periodontist- a dental surgeon who is a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. These implants are often joined with crowns that look very natural, giving the person a perfect smile. One of the main benefits of dental implants is that they last for a long time. The only maintenance required with dental implants comes from regular wear and tear.
What is the process of getting dental implants?
The procedure involved in getting dental implants can take several months. You will be coming in to visit our expert dentists for many scheduled visits to complete the entire fitting process.
The first step of the process is to take X-rays and molds of your jaw and teeth, which will help our dentists in determining your bone and gum structure. After evaluating the X-rays, our dentists will be able to figure out the spacing available in the mouth for fitting an implant. After this, an appointment is scheduled to surgically place the implant into the bone, which is the main process. Following this, the area will be allowed to heal and adjust itself for up to six months. Sometimes, you may have to undergo another surgery to secure the implant with the help of a post, which will be able to hold the artificial tooth firmly. Most of the time, this second procedure is not needed as the implant and the post can be fixed at the same time.
After the procedure for fixing the implant is completed, our specialists will take a few weeks to make the artificial teeth that will be attached to the implant. The process is quite lengthy as several fittings will be required to fix the teeth to the post portion of the anchor. Once the healing period from the first procedure is completed, the artificial teeth are attached in a way that will be much more comfortable to you. If necessary, you will be called in for regular check-ups to check the health of your new implants and also make any other adjustments.
Our expert dentists will then brief you regarding the do’s and don’ts of dealing with your new implants, and will provide instructions that will help you maintain good oral hygiene and eating habits.
Why should you get dental implants?
Dental implants help a person restore their missing teeth without causing shifts around the mouth. With the help of dental implants, you can solve a range of other dental issues like:
- Joint pain in the mouth caused by shifting teeth
- Help improve chewing, digestion, and speech skills
- Improve the formation of facial tissues
- Firmly secure a dental bridge or denture to the mouth
- Last but not least, help you get back your confident smile.
What are the different types of dental implants?
Single Dental Implant
If you are only missing one tooth, a single implant is the way to go. Single tooth implants are used by people who wish to receive implants for one or more teeth. The implant will help the person replace the space created by a missing tooth, therefore enabling them to complete their smile. The procedure for fixing a single-tooth implant is quite similar to what was mentioned above. The implant is first surgically placed into the jawbone, and our dentist will then allow a healing period, during which the implant integrates with the bone in the jaw. The implant then acts as a root for the artificial tooth that will be fixed over it. After the healing period is complete, our dentist will fix the artificial tooth or crown to the implant and secure it comfortably to the missing space in the mouth.
For those who are missing several teeth
Multiple Implants
For people missing several teeth in the mouth, the procedure for multiple implants is highly recommended. Instead of getting several single implants, you can opt for the multiple implant procedure. Multiple tooth implants are implant-supported bridges that will help you fix the problem of multiple missing teeth. One of the main reasons to get multiple tooth implants is to avoid wearing removable partial dentures. Multiple dental implants are a more viable long-term option considering the several advantages involved.
Dental implants and the attached crown portion look and function like natural teeth, giving you more confidence in your smile. These implants can also function without support from your adjacent natural teeth. As the procedure involves replacing the tooth root, the bone underneath the tooth will be prevented from deteriorating, giving your teeth and gums a longer lifetime. Overall, multiple dental implants are more natural-looking and very comfortable to wear.
When the condition is a bit more severe
All-On-Four Implants
The All-On-Four dental implant procedure was first discovered by implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare. The procedure requires all the teeth in the mouth to receive support with the help of four implants. This treatment is highly recommended to those people who are suffering from edentulism, or deteriorated teeth. The process is comparatively easier and more cost-effective than opting for singular implants, although our experts will only recommend it to you in certain cases.
In this procedure, a full-arch rehabilitation can be carried out using just four implants that are equally spaced in the mouth. The entire procedure avoids bone grafting, which reduces the time and effort required for fixing the implants. One of the main advantages of this procedure is that it prevents future bone loss in the jaw area. You will notice a drastic improvement in the quality of your life – with improved speech, function, appearance, and self-esteem.
If you are suffering from missing teeth or feel unhappy about your dentures, we can help you achieve a flawless smile with the help of the finest dental implants Santa Monica has to offer. Book your appointment with us today to get started.
