Dental Implants

Dental implants can make it easier to smile with confidence and eat the foods you love again. If you’re missing teeth or struggling with loose, ill-fitting dentures, ask us about dental implants!

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in both the upper and lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, dental implants naturally fuse with bone and become a solid anchor for the restorations that Dr. Dao or Dr. Refela will eventually place on top. Dental implants can be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth.

Why Dental Implants?

When you lose a tooth, there are generally three options available to fill the missing space:

• Single Tooth Replacements. This procedure is relatively quick and simple, as one tooth is replaced by one single implant.
• Multiple Tooth Replacements. In what is known as a “fixed bridge,” implants are permanently placed in the jaw then connected to a series of crowns.
• Full Arch Replacements. Some dentists refer to these type of implants as “full mouth restorations.” A full arch replacement is a permanent, long-lasting, and functional alternative to removable dentures for people who are missing most or all of their teeth.

Dental implants serve a number of important purposes. Without the root structure of your natural tooth, your jawbone can shrink and make your face look older than it is. Successful and properly maintained dental implants preserve the structure of your lips, jaw and cheeks, and they can even help prevent the bone loss that commonly occurs after tooth loss.

We will be happy to thoroughly explain each of these options to help you decide if dental implants are right for you!

Computer Guided Dental Implants

With CT imaging, placing and restoring dental implants has never been easier! We use CT imaging to create a digital replica of your jawbone, which helps us place dental implants with more accuracy and safety than ever before. The convenience and precision of CT scanning also helps us reduce the overall treatment time required for dental implants.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an excellent option for patients with advanced tooth decay, root canal failure, trauma to the mouth, or severe natural wear and breakdown of their teeth. However, there are still some things to consider before you decide on dental implants. For example, dental implants are best performed after adolescence, when the teeth and jaw bone are fully developed. Additionally, the dental implant procedure can be more complicated for individuals with gum disease, active diabetes, immune deficiencies, and for patients who smoke. To ensure that you get the treatment that’s right for you, visit Monrovia Dental Care for a full dental implant evaluation.