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 reason for waiting a few months after the installation of the implant, is because it needs time to fuse with the bone and act as the "root" for the synthetic tooth. The second procedure consists of securing a small, metal collar called an "abutment" to the post which separates it from the gums. These are sometimes left in place for 10 to 14 days and replaced with a crown and other times they are permanently left in.
In some cases, the abutment is left in place and a temporary crown is fastened to it, or there may be no abutment used at all and the crown will be secured onto the implant itself. The temporary crown prepares the implant for the permanent one, which is crafted from the impressions while the patient wears it. The gums also heal around the temporary crown until the permanent one is screwed or cemented into place in about 4-6 weeks.
Implants require the same oral hygiene as natural teeth, brushing and flossing. At first the patient will need to see the dentist every 3 months, but eventually this will be reduced to every six months. In most cases involving dental implants Los Angeles patients will be pleased with the results and can expect them to last as long as 25 years.
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 reason for waiting a few months after the installation of the implant, is because it needs time to fuse with the bone and act as the "root" for the synthetic tooth. The second procedure consists of securing a small, metal collar called an "abutment" to the post which separates it from the gums. These are sometimes left in place for 10 to 14 days and replaced with a crown and other times they are permanently left in.
In some cases, the abutment is left in place and a temporary crown is fastened to it, or there may be no abutment used at all and the crown will be secured onto the implant itself. The temporary crown prepares the implant for the permanent one, which is crafted from the impressions while the patient wears it. The gums also heal around the temporary crown until the permanent one is screwed or cemented into place in about 4-6 weeks.
Implants require the same oral hygiene as natural teeth, brushing and flossing. At first the patient will need to see the dentist every 3 months, but eventually this will be reduced to every six months. In most cases involving dental implants Los Angeles patients will be pleased with the results and can expect them to last as long as 25 years.
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