For anyone that has lost a tooth or teeth, dental implants are the number one restoration option to dentists that is definitely worth considering. Implants are the preferred restoration method, because they mimic the function of your natural teeth. Additionally, they prevent bone loss by stimulating your jawbone. The procedure for placing dental implants will require several steps, though.

Before the procedure, your jaw will be evaluated to make sure that you have enough bone for supporting the implant. If you do not, then a bone graft may be required before the placement can occur.

In the first procedure, you will be first given local anesthesia to ensure a comfortable and pain-free experience. Our dentist will then make an incision into your gum to expose your bone. After the bone is exposed, a hole is drilled into the bone to make room for the implant. The titanium implant will then be placed into this hole, and the gum will be allowed to heal over it. While it is healing, your bone will fuse with the implant. The healing process can take up to six months.
Some implants already have the abutment that the crown will attach to in place. If the implant you receive does not, you will then require an additional surgery for the placement of the abutment. In this additional surgery, the dentist will cut the gum open once again to reveal the implant. The abutment will then be screwed onto your implant. The gum will then be left to heal around the abutment, but not over it. The healing from this step can take several weeks.

As part of the final preparations, the surgeon will take impressions of your mouth. These impressions will be used in order to design the crown that will be attached to the abutment. Once the laboratory has designed your crown match your surrounding teeth, you will go back into the dentist to have the crown placed onto the abutment.

If you are curious about whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, contact our dental implants specialist in Los Angeles to set up a consultation.

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