Information About Dental Implants Los Angeles Patients Will Find Helpful

By Lucille Lamb


People who have lost an individual tooth or several teeth in different places may be good candidates for dental implants. These consist of a synthetic tooth which attaches onto a titanium steel post that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone. To find out if they are eligible for dental implants Los Angeles patients can visit a dentist.

There are three separate components in such a restoration, which together function in the same capacity as a natural tooth and root system. The metal implant is first surgically placed in the jaw, then an attachment called an abutment is secured onto it, and finally a porcelain or composite crown is attached either with a screw or dental cement.

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.

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 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.

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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