Dental Implants, The Permanent Solution for Tooth Loss

Dental implants are artificial replacements to compensate for tooth loss. Many people are self conscious if they have lost teeth due to injury or disease. They are sometimes unable to speak or smile comfortably. Also, if their bite is irregular it can lead to other complications such as malnutrition.

Tooth loss might be due to trauma of the mouth, excessive wear and tear, congenital defects or gum disease. Regardless of what the cause of tooth loss is, dental implants are usually the best solution for them.

Implant Procedure

The implant procedure is the same whether one or all teeth are missing. Your dentist will make sure you are a candidate for the procedure and use the right type of anesthesia so you will be as comfortable as possible. First, the dentist will conduct a through examination of your teeth and gums which might include x-rays and or ct scans to see if you have enough bone and gum tissue to conduct the implant. When there is insufficient bone structure, bone grafting may be a recommended procedure.

Who is a good candidate for a Dental Implant procedure?

A good candidate will have the following:

• Commitment to taking care of the implanted teeth and surrounding gums with daily brushing and cleaning
• Regular checkups and professional cleanings
• Otherwise healthy
• Good healthy gums
• Enough bone to anchor the implant to the jaw

Procedure Steps

1. Placing the Implant

When the dentist is sure you are healthy and a candidate for this procedure; the bone area where the implant will be placed is exposed by opening the gum tissue. Once healthy bone material has been established, a special drill is used to prepare the bone to receive the implant. A small hole is made where there is no tooth in order to put the titanium screw that will hold the implant in place. The dentist must be very careful not to damage any vital nerves of the jaw and face when drilling this hole. Also, mini implants which are smaller diameter implants might be used. Once the bone is prepared the implant is placed on it and the tissue is then sutured closed.

2. The Healing Process - Osseointegration

The healing process usually lasts three to six months. This is the amount of time it often takes the implant to heal and fuse or become part of the jaw, commonly referred to as osseointegration. Osseointegration is very important for the implant to work. If osseointegration does not occur the implant will not be successful. The sutures however are usually removed, seven to fourteen days after surgery.

3. Attaching the Post

When the gum tissue is ready, a special post is attached to the implant. This is the support for the new porcelain crown. Today's technologies often include zirconium abutments attached to the implant post, to be sure that the new porcelain tooth possesses translucency properties similar to a natural tooth.

4. Placing the Crown

A temporary crown might be used to allow the gums to shape and grow around it. After impressions are taken a crown is made and shaded to match your existing teeth. The crown is then slipped over the post and cemented. The final prosthetic crown appears just like a natural tooth.

5. Caring for the Implant

If you are diligent in the care of an implant it can last up to more than 40 years. You must go to all the follow up appointments and have professional cleanings done. Careful brushing and flossing are also very important to make sure the implant does not fail or get infected.

Schedule an Appointment Today with Dr. Moretta, our dental implant specialist in Huntington Beach, CA - Call (714) 848-4247

How Regularly Do I Need to Brush and Floss My Teeth and Why?

When we are children that's one of the first things our parents teach us: to brush our teeth – it's actually one of the first “health habits” we are taught as kids. To brush your teeth is most elementary and effective way to take care of your teeth and to have them and your gums healthy for life. But it needs to be a habit – it needs to be something you do every day of your life, even if you like or not.

It's fascinating how regularly adults let their tooth brushing to pass away. Or they just forget which one is the right technique to brush them, or how many times they should do it.

Do you have any idea how many times a day do you have to brush your teeth? Take this quiz now to find out...

People need to brush their teeth:

1. At least once a week
2. Every day - in the morning
3. Every day - at night
4. Every day, but only after lunch
5. Every day – twice a day – at night and in the morning

The right answer for that is: e!

Dental Fun & Jokes

A little dental humor to put a smile on your face!

Isn't there a cheaper way?

A man walks into a dentist's office and asks how much it will cost to extract wisdom teeth.
"Eighty dollars," the dentist says.
"That's a ridiculous amount," the man says. "Isn't there a cheaper way?"
"Well," the dentist says, "if you don't use an anesthetic, I can knock the price down to $60."
"Nope," moans the man, "it's still too much."
"Okay," says the dentist. "If I save on anesthesia and simply rip the teeth out with a pair of pliers, I can knock the price down to $20."
"Marvelous," says the man, "book my wife for next Tuesday!"

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You Really Can Live Better Through Dentistry

All the news that fit to print about better living through dentistry

Did you know that a healthy mouth means a healthy body... A healthy heart... Even a healthy sex life? It’s true! And just by changing certain habits related to oral hygiene you can improve the health of your mouth and teeth and lessen your risk for a whole host of illnesses.  

“You cannot be healthy with an unhealthy mouth any more than one can be healthy with an infected foot,” says Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association and a former clinical instructor at the Boston University Dental School.

He’s absolutely right.

Researchers at the ADA have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of periodontal disease that can cause tooth loss) is linked with health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. It appears that bacteria in the mouth may cause inflammation throughout the body, including the arteries.

Gingivitis (oral inflammation due to bacteria) may also play a role in clogged arteries and blood clots, possibly increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Love Life

There’s nothing like bad breath to turn off the opposite sex. 22-year-old UK superstar Joss Stone famously remarked, “There's nothing worse than bad breath. I've snogged people with bad breath who smelt of (cigarettes) and beer and it made me feel sick.

Joss isn’t alone. A report from a US mouthwash company revealed that nearly three quarters of the people polled said they wouldn’t let a person they found attractive kiss them if they had bad breath.

Can Fluoride be Harmful?

There are a lot of people that think that fluoride can be dangerous. They believe that fluoride can be harmful to your health and are opposed to using fluoride in any way. Fluoride is usually found on toothpaste and on drinking water.

Recently, claims have been made by activists that fluoride causes health risks and they have been opposed to the use of fluoride in drinking water. Many of them are opposed to chemicals based on principle and their research has a weak foundation. Most of what they argue is based on misconceptions and myths; sometimes they resort to using scare tactics to try to prove their point.

When is a good time to take my kid to the dentist?

When you’re the father/mother of a young kid, you have to be prepared to take him to a lot of appointments and check-ups, as well as going to the dentist, which is very important and required at such a small age.

So, when and how often you should take him to the dentist?

Essentially, the first appointment should be when her/his first tooth appears. (Obviously, why take him if he/she doesn’t have any teeth!)

HI- TECH DENTISTRY

The dental profession has taken advantage of the new technology that is available to conduct procedures in a safe, fast and efficient way. 

Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays are a form of x-ray imaging where digital sensors are used instead of traditional x-ray film. Significantly, less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional x-rays. Other advantages include; time efficiency through bypassing the chemical processing, the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images, the x-rays can be enlarged on a computer screen for easier viewing, and because there are no chemicals or lead, the process is environmentally friendly.