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If Getting Dental Implants Los Angeles Patients Can Expect The Following

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.

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 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.

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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