Everything You Need to Know About the Dental Implant Procedure

Dental Implant Procedure in Los Angeles CA Area

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you have more options now than ever before for permanent teeth replacement. One or more missing teeth directly impact the appearance of your smile, but other concerns also come into play. For example, there is an increased risk of gum disease if you’re missing a tooth. Let’s learn more about the dental implant procedure and how it can help you regain your beautiful smile.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants are made with three components:

Titanium screw: This screw is implanted into the patient’s jawbone to replace the tooth’s natural root.
Abutment: This component is screwed onto the top of the screw when healing is finished.
Crown: A porcelain crown finishes off the implant to serve as a natural-looking tooth replacement.

The titanium screw fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. A dental implant functions nearly identically to the natural tooth it’s replacing. One dental implant replaces a single tooth. If you’re missing more than one tooth, there are other options your dentist can explore with you.

How Long Does the Entire Dental Implant Procedure Take?

It takes several months for dental implants to be fully complete. After the dentist plants the screw in your jawbone, it has to fuse to the jaw and heal. This is the lengthy part of the procedure. Once this is completed, your abutment and crown can usually be placed.

Is It Painful to Get Dental Implants?

For the screw placement process, the dentist will use anesthesia to make you as comfortable as possible. This part of the procedure is pain-free. You can also opt for sedation dentistry if you have concerns about anxiety. After the screw is implanted, you may have some mild discomfort for a couple of days, but you can treat this with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

How Do I Know if Implants Are Right for Me?

Most people missing one or more teeth are a good fit for dental implants. The main concern is whether or not patients have enough bone in the jaw for planting the screw. If you lack bone structure in the jaw, a bone graft may be needed before getting implants.

Can Implants Be Done on the Same Day as My Tooth Extraction?

There are scenarios in which the dentist can place a titanium screw into an empty tooth socket the same day of the extraction. Your provider must ensure you have a good jawbone structure to do this. If you need bone grafting, you’ll need to wait three to six months before starting the implant process.

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New Patients: (310) 254-9355 | Existing Patients: (310) 208-3498
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How Can I Have the Dental Implant Procedure in Los Angeles, California?

To learn more about dental implants and the procedure needed to restore your beautiful smile, contact Dr. Jose Omar Guillen at Westwood Village Smiles in Los Angeles, California. Call our office at (310) 254-9355, text us at (310) 208-3498, or schedule a visit online today.

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Dr. Jose Omar Guillen

Dr. Jose Omar Guillen, DDS, is renowned as one of LA’s top dentists and is known for his dedication to personalized and technologically advanced care. At his practice, Westwood Village Smiles near UCLA, Dr. Guillen creates a comfortable environment for patients of all ages. A biochemistry graduate from UCSD, he earned his dental degree from the prestigious University of the Pacific and pursued further training in Oral Surgery at Yale. Dr. Guillen stays abreast of advanced techniques like 3-D imaging and Invisalign®. Also, a global educator and humanitarian, he enhances dental practices worldwide. Trust him for your care.

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