If someone has lost one or more teeth, he or she may be referred for dental implants. These are surgically installed artificial titanium posts which are topped with a prosthetic tooth. To learn more about dental implants Los Angeles patients can see a dentist to discuss this option.
The implant unit is intended to replace the lost tooth and its root system and is made up of three parts. The titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw, a metal collar which goes over it called an "abutment" and the porcelain or composite crown, which is adhered with either dental cement or a screw.
If this procedure is to be successful, there needs to be enough bone in the jaw to hold the implant. The dentist will be able to assess this by performing an examination, making impressions of the teeth, taking x-rays and if needed, a CT scan. When the bone is insufficient, other preliminary procedures may be necessary, such as grafting or augmentation.
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 patient does have sufficient bone, they will undergo surgery to drill small holes into the jaw bone and place the titanium posts into them. Normally this procedure is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist. In 4-7 months, the second step will be done.
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.
A temporary crown may be affixed to either the abutment or directly onto the steel post, and is worn by the patient while his or her permanent crown is being made according to the impressions the dentist made. The softer temporary crown facilitates healing of the gum tissues. After about 4-6 weeks, the permanent crown will be attached using screws or dental cement.
Implants require no different oral care than real teeth do, simply brush and floss them. The patient will return to the dentist to get the implants checked every three months at first, and later on every six months. Overall, after the installation of dental implants Los Angeles patients will be happy with the natural look they provide and most often they will last up to 25 years.
The implant unit is intended to replace the lost tooth and its root system and is made up of three parts. The titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw, a metal collar which goes over it called an "abutment" and the porcelain or composite crown, which is adhered with either dental cement or a screw.
If this procedure is to be successful, there needs to be enough bone in the jaw to hold the implant. The dentist will be able to assess this by performing an examination, making impressions of the teeth, taking x-rays and if needed, a CT scan. When the bone is insufficient, other preliminary procedures may be necessary, such as grafting or augmentation.
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 patient does have sufficient bone, they will undergo surgery to drill small holes into the jaw bone and place the titanium posts into them. Normally this procedure is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist. In 4-7 months, the second step will be done.
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.
A temporary crown may be affixed to either the abutment or directly onto the steel post, and is worn by the patient while his or her permanent crown is being made according to the impressions the dentist made. The softer temporary crown facilitates healing of the gum tissues. After about 4-6 weeks, the permanent crown will be attached using screws or dental cement.
Implants require no different oral care than real teeth do, simply brush and floss them. The patient will return to the dentist to get the implants checked every three months at first, and later on every six months. Overall, after the installation of dental implants Los Angeles patients will be happy with the natural look they provide and most often they will last up to 25 years.
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