Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants

Dental Implants have redefined the way people get their tooth restoration and are transforming the lives of people by helping them regain their lost confidence. With durable, natural-looking dental implants, people with lost teeth are rediscovering their confidence and comfort by recouping the ability to eat and smile as before, along with perfect and natural facial contours. 

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal rods made of titanium inserted into the jawbone to hold the artificial tooth in its place. They are a safe replacement for tooth loss. During the dental implant process, the implant is inserted into the jaw bone as a replacement for the tooth root. After the biological process of osseointegration, where the implant gets fused into the jaw bone, a dental prosthesis is fitted above it.

Dental Implant surgery can help those who have lost one or several teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, or other reasons. The significant advantage of implants is the reliable support it provides to the new teeth. Besides, they are firmer and natural-looking than conventional bridges or dentures. 

What are the Significant Benefits of Dental Implants?

• The most apparent benefit of using a Dental Implant for missing teeth is the aesthetic appeal, and the confidence one achieves with it. 
• Besides the aesthetic appeal, dental implants are firmer, thus helping people chew and eat more comfortably as they wish.
• Implants preserve the bone and the shape of the jaw, eliminating the risk of drifting the teeth. 
• The balanced jaw function achieved through dental implants helps to get rid of the trauma of the teeth over time.
• Dental Implants are more convenient and fixed, preventing them from slipping or falling out when you speak, unlike dentures. 
• Unlike a fixed bridge, the placement of a dental implant does not require the filing or alteration of the adjacent teeth for its placement. 

Dental Implant Placement Procedure 

At Vasquez & Associates Dental Office, we perform dental implant surgery in the following steps, with healing time between procedures. The steps involved in the implant procedure are as follows:

• Planning Stage

During the planning stage, we carefully plan out the procedure, and with the help of specialized imaging techniques, we visualize the bone condition and 3-D viewing to ensure that implants are properly placed.

• Damaged Tooth Removal

If needed, we will remove the damaged tooth/teeth via surgical extraction and perform an oral examination via X-rays to evaluate the bone density.

• Bone Grafting

If we identify that the jaw bone is not strong or dense enough to support the placement of the dental implant, an additional bone grafting procedure is required to create a strong foundation.

• Dental Implant Placement

We will drill into the patient's bone by opening the gum and will place the implant metal post deep into the bone. After this, the site is allowed to heal before your next visit. If the implant is in an easily visible area, we may place a temporary restoration for cosmetic reasons until the site heals.

• Bone Growth, Healing, and Abutment Placement

During your next appointment, we will assess your bone healing by taking X-rays. With osseointegration, the dental implant gets fused with the jawbone, giving a firm base for the new artificial tooth. Once the area is fully healed, we will take a mold used to make the crown, bridge, or denture. We will place the dental implant abutment to connect the implant to the porcelain crown when the healing is complete.

• Artificial Tooth Replacement

Once the jawbone becomes strong enough to hold and support the artificial tooth, we will attach them to the implants. 

If you want to know more about dental implants, don't hesitate to reach us at Vasquez & Associates Dental Office. You can call us at (760) 529-5339 to schedule your appointment.