What Does Placing Dental Implants Involve?

When we see patients with missing teeth, we provide a dependable, long-lasting, and lifelike solution: dental implants. But how do we place them? What makes them so different from traditional bridges or dentures? Find out how we address tooth loss for our Encinitas/San Diego, CA, patients.

Planning and Preparation

First, we need to assess your candidacy. We will carefully examine your smile, making sure you have enough jawbone to support the new tooth. We also look for the presence of gum disease, which could endanger your new tooth and cause the implant to fail. In order to capture a detailed picture of your oral health, we’ll use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. A bone grafting procedure will need to be performed to shore up jawbone tissue. For patients with periodontal issues, we may suggest a pinhole gum graft or possibly a scaling and root planing to improve oral health.

Placement and Restoration

Once your smile is ready, we insert the dental implant into the jawbone. Through osseointegration, the biocompatible titanium implant bonds with the jawbone tissue. The dental implant acts like a new tooth root. After about four to six months, we will create and place a custom-made dental crown. The restoration looks natural and addresses the visible portion of your tooth.

Protecting Your New Teeth

While bridges last about ten years and dentures need replacement after around five years, dental implants have the potential to last for decades. To ensure they last for several years and provide quality tooth replacement, you should take proper care of your new tooth. First, make sure you see us for regular cleanings, which allow us to monitor your new tooth. We also suggest brushing and flossing daily. The same care that protects your natural teeth from tooth decay and periodontal problems also safeguard your brand-new dental implants.

Do You Have a Missing Tooth?

Don’t let tooth loss harm your smile’s health and appearance, talk to us about implant dentistry today. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.