Getting to the Root of It: All About Dental Implants

Dental implants offer an effective, natural-looking and long lasting tooth replacement solution that brings immense benefits for many patients dealing with missing teeth. As experienced dental implant providers serving the Torrance area, we want to comprehensively cover every aspect of this life-changing tooth replacement option.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant consists of a small sturdy titanium screw that essentially substitutes for a missing natural tooth root. This artificial root is surgically inserted into the jawbone, beneath gum tissue, to permanently fuse with the bone over several months of healing (osseointegration).

Once successfully integrated, custom-made replacement teeth are secured onto the top portion of implants. This creates an innovative new tooth root support system that looks, feels and functions similarly to the reliable support given by your natural tooth roots.

When Dental Implants Are Recommended

Implants offer an appealing tooth replacement choice for various situations:

• Missing Single or Multiple Teeth - They can act as individual tooth root substitutes to anchor lifelike replacement crown teeth. Multiple dental implants with a fixed bridge restore larger gaps entirely via implanted false roots and crowns.
• Loose Dentures/Bridges - For ill-fitting dentures/bridges, implants offer steady supportive attachments to vastly improve fit and chewing capacity.
• Tooth Extractions - Following tooth removal, rapid implant placement into extraction sockets now lets us replace teeth immediately with a same day “dental implant.” This prevents unsightly gaps and bone density loss compared to formerly needing to wait months before traditional implant placement procedures could begin.

Whatever your situation with missing, failing or troublesome teeth, dental implants likely deserve your consideration for their versatility and reliability.

The Implant Placement Procedure Step-By-Step

Precisely planning and executing each surgical phase determines success of osseointegration and how closely your implant restoration mimics natural healthy teeth. The complete implant process involves:

• Initial Consultation - We take x-rays, complete a dental exam, and consider special factors like anatomy and general health to decide optimal implant type/placement strategy. You can address all questions or concerns to determine if implants suit your needs.
• Surgical Guide Creation - A temporary guide is custom fabricated based on your exact mouth dimensions to direct precise drilling positions based on the treatment plan.
• Implant Surgery Appointment - After numbing the area, the implant site is prepared according to measurements determined and temporary guide. Holes are incrementally widened until the titanium screw implant can be carefully screwed into ideal position within the jaw.
• Potential Bone Grafting - Inadequate bone volume can sometimes be overcome by layering bone grafting material to build it up before attempting implant insertion. This extends treatment timelines slightly.
• Healing Period - You’ll wear a temporary dental appliance for about 4-6 months to enable stable bone fusion and maturation around implants. We occasionally check healing and may need to adjust soft tissues. Proper dental care without direct pressure speeds osseointegration.
• Crown Fabrication and Attachment - With implants solidly fused in place, custom crowns and bridges resembling natural tooth structure are made to exacting specifications through dental impressions. These are securely screwed or cemented onto implant posts in a subsequent appointment.
• Follow Ups & Maintenance - We schedule appointments over the first year to evaluate stability, fit and performance. Just like natural teeth, consistent hygiene and dental visits preserve long term health of implant tooth restorations.

Recovery Right After Surgery

Successfully integrating implants depends greatly on properly supporting healing stages immediately following surgery:

• Swelling/Bruising - Use ice packs to minimize swelling for the first 48 hours, then gentle moist heat. Head elevation while sleeping and anti-inflammatory meds (over the counter or prescribed) also help.
• Bleeding - Some seepage initially is normal. But if bleeding seems excessive, bite firmly on gauze for 20-30 minutes. Avoid disturbance initially aside from medical care.
• Pain Management - Take any prescribed pain relievers as directed. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are sufficient for mild post-op discomfort.
• Diet/Precautions - Stick to soft foods temporarily. Nothing excessively hot or cold should contact surgery sites. No smoking cigarettes, using straws, rinsing vigorously or other mouth irritants.
• Brushing/Saline Rinse - Clean gently around surgical areas with soft brush and chlorhexidine or salt rinse to control bacteria without disturbing wounds.
• Activity - Limit physical exertion for at least 48-72 hours. Avoid strenuous cardio temporarily to prevent raised blood pressure. Rest supports your recovery.

With some brief lifestyle adjustments during recuperation, you’ll soon adjust to your implants. Focus on allowing steady healing over about 4-6 months for ideal results.

Why Dental Implants Are Worth It

Given the investment of time and expense, why do our happy patients feel implants are an advantageous solution?

Natural Smile Restoration

Beautifully custom crafted implant crowns realistically replicate color, shape and tooth alignment for seamless integration with remaining natural teeth for a complete smile you’re thrilled to flash.

Improved Speech/Chewing Ability

Unlike dentures that can be prone to slipping around, firmly anchored implant teeth provide the stable chewing platform and pronunciation clarity closer to what you remember with your original real teeth.

Preserve Facial Structure

Lost teeth cause accelerating bone loss in their wake. But the implanted titanium root halts this deterioration in its tracks, preventing sunken cheeks and sagging wrinkles resulting from atrophying jawbone volume.

Durability & Longevity

While no tooth substitute lasts forever with use, dental implants come closest with an admirable 10-15 year lifespan (often longer). Their customized integration provides lasting stability not found with other options.

Take exceptional care in the early months to nurture your implants through their delicate bonding phase. But once healed, they deliver tremendous flexibility to eat, speak and smile with renewed vibrancy and confidence!

Maintaining Your Implants Over the Long Term

As with natural teeth, longevity of implants requires diligent hygiene and dental care. Practice daily brushing and flossing to remove food particles and plaque that cause peri-implant disease if neglected.

Schedule and attend recommended professional cleanings, typically every 3-4 months initially then every 6 months. Report symptoms like swelling, bleeding or pain promptly as these signal existing or emerging problems.

The better care you demonstrate following full restoration, the longer your implants stand to serve you in looking, feeling and functioning like naturally healthy permanent teeth!

Start Your Implant Journey Today!

Still have more questions about the ins and outs of implants? The experienced implant placement dentists at Dentist of Torrance are here to help! Book a consultation to:

• Get professional guidance if implants suit your unique needs
• Have all remaining questions answered
• Learn specifics about the procedure, costs and timelines catered to your mouth’s requirements
• Discover affordable payment plans to make this investment more accessible

Don’t wait another day living with missing, failing or infected teeth that make eating, speaking and smiling more difficult when modern implant dentistry can deliver beautiful, highly functional solutions! Contact Dentist of Torrance now to schedule your appointment. We look forward to unveiling your gorgeous, confident implant smile transformation!