Dental Implants
Tooth loss leaves a lasting impact on your oral health. In addition to its cosmetic effects, a missing tooth can also contribute to significant changes in jaw structure and more. Working with a specialist for dental implants in El Cajon allows patients to rebuild their smile with results that can last decades.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants afford patients the chance to replace one or more missing teeth with a natural-looking solution. When you hear about dental implants, most people refer to the entire tooth replacement. But the implant itself is a titanium post placed into the gums where a tooth was lost.
Our dentist then uses this post as an anchor for a dental crown. The crown will look just like a natural tooth, as each one is custom-made to match your smile.
What Is the Process for Getting a Dental Implant?
Replacing a tooth with an implant involves a step-by-step process and a few dental visits. While this can take up to a couple of months, the longevity of this solution makes it deeply worth the wait.
Step 1: The Consultation
We begin by meeting with the patient to consult on their situation. We look at factors like the number of teeth lost and jaw bone health. Dr. Mansour provides full information on each option available, ensuring you are matched with the ideal solution. We will also take X-rays and check your oral health overall.
Step 2: Bone Grafting (If Needed)
Not every patient will need to have a bone graft. Usually, this is needed only if a patient has gone a long time without a tooth. When you lose a tooth, the jaw bone in that area will begin to diminish. If it becomes too weak, it will not be able to support a dental implant. However, bone grafting allows you to rebuild your bone density. This simple surgery places a grafting material into the gum, which your body then naturally builds over with new bone material.
Step 3: Placing the Implant
Once we establish you have sufficient bone to hold the implant, we can place it. This quick procedure involves inserting the titanium implant post into the gum. We carefully position it so that it can properly hold the crown later. You will then wait for the post to fuse to your bone over the coming weeks.
Step 4: Placing the Abutment
At your next visit, we place the abutment, which will allow us to affix the crown to the implant. We will also take impressions of your teeth. These are sent to the lab where your crown will be manufactured. The impressions ensure the crown will match the natural shape and size of your teeth.
Step 5: Placing the Dental Implant
In the final step, we place your custom-made crown onto the abutment and fix it in place. You can walk out the door with a newly restored, full, radiant smile.
Dental implants come with very few dietary restrictions compared to other tooth replacement solutions.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
While dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement solution, it is important to ensure you are a good candidate for them. Implants best suit patients who:
- Are missing only one or a few teeth
- Are prepared to go through the multistep process
- Want a long-lasting solution
- Have enough jaw bone mass to support the implant
We explore each available option with our patients, including dental bridges and dentures. Whatever your situation, we have an option to bring your smile back to 100%.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Perhaps the greatest appeal of dental implants lies in how long they last. A well-placed implant can last 25 years or to a lifetime. However, individual factors, like oral hygiene, can influence your new tooth’s longevity.
Book Your Consultation
Dr. Mansour is a leading provider of dental implants in El Cajon. Every patient receives a bespoke experience designed to match their smile’s needs. Call his office or use our online form to set up a visit and start rebuilding your smile.
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Book a consultation with our dental specialists today!