Why Get Dental Implants?
When a person has damaged or missing teeth, dental implants are usually the first and best restoration choice. At Gage Dental Care, Dr. Hanookai is our resident Bell implant dentist. She has the experience and skill to place your dental implants.
Dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. The dental appliances are stable and strong. Because of this, they look, feel and function like regular teeth. Unlike other kinds of dental work, implants support your jawbone and won't lead to deterioration.
When dental implants are properly placed, they are likely to last for the rest of your life. Implants are a worthwhile investment, one that provides a long-term solution to missing or damaged teeth. If you've been living with absent teeth, you may have become accustomed to avoiding social events or feeling uncomfortable when you are among others. With dental implants, you don't have to worry that they'll become detached or fall out while you're laughing, talking or eating. They'll give you back your smile and allow you to reengage in your social life.
Absent teeth may be making you look older than you are. They can also cause others to ask if you're sad or tired. Dental implants return natural shaping to your face. This will make you look younger and refreshed.
The ability to speak normally is another reason to get implants. Teeth replacement options like dentures can cause speaking problems because you'll need time to adjust to their presence in your mouth.
The easiest and best solution to missing teeth are dental implants. Dr. Hanookai has been fixing people's smiles with this type of dental procedure for more than 20 years. With implants, your smile will look completely natural, and you'll regain the full functionality of your original teeth.
Treatment Options
Different types of implants are available. Dr. Hanookai places endosteal implants into your jawbone. The implant is formed into a small screw, plate or cylinder. This is the most common type of dental implant. Subperiosteal implants are another option. With this kind of implant, Dr. Hanookai will be placing the dental appliance underneath your gum and on or just above your jawbone. She will recommend this type of implant if you have a shallow jawbone and are unable or unwilling to endure the jawbone rebuilding procedure.
When it comes to implants, the dental treatment offers several benefits to other options. For instance, along with providing the functionality of a natural tooth, your dentist can replace a single tooth without making changes to the adjacent teeth. If you opt for a different kind of dental appliance, such as a bridge, then the surrounding teeth will need to be modified to support the device. In addition, dental implants preserve the bone while bridges frequently cause deterioration.
Dental implants come in various heights and sizes including narrow and standard. Your dentist will determine the best type for your mouth. Implantologists like Dr. Hanookai offer single and multiple tooth replacements.
To place a dental implant, Dr. Hanookai will insert the appliance into your jaw. A dental implant consists of several parts. These include the piece that connects to your bone and an abutment. The abutment is the section that unites the crown and the implant. After the implant is in place, the device will need time to heal and bond to your jawbone. Because of this, most dental implants are made from titanium, which is a biocompatible material accepted by most people's bodies.
It will take your jawbone two to six months to accept the dental implant. During this time, Dr. Hanookai will place a temporary cap over the dental work. A permanent crown will be formed for the implant. After your body has completed the healing process, the dentist will fasten the permanent crown to the abutment. With the permanent crown in place, you'll be ready to enjoy a fully functioning tooth.
Same Day Dental Implants
Technological advancements in the industry now allow us to complete same day dental implants. We can replace one missing tooth or an entire set in one day. For this procedure, Dr. Hanookai is able to use as few as four dental implants to attach a full set of permanent teeth. To complete the process, she uses 3D CT scanning as well as virtual planning software. If we're only restoring some of your teeth, the replacement crowns will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
After your initial consultation, we'll make an appointment to scan your mouth. This lets our technicians design and plan your procedure. Before you arrive for the implant appointment, everything will be ready. Our same day option doesn't require additional time to heal before your permanent crowns are placed. Instead, you'll leave the dental chair with a smile that looks natural and aesthetically pleasing. Your new teeth will allow you to laugh, eat, speak clearly and smile right away. Once they heal fully, your one-day dental implants will be as strong as or stronger than your original teeth.
Because same day dental implants are developed for immediate use, they don't typically require bone grafting. To ensure your comfort during the procedure, you will receive the option of being sedated. For most people, the discomfort and recovery time of one-day implants is nominal.
Implant-supported replacement teeth offer benefits like maintaining the integrity of your jawbone's structure, never having to struggle with the inconvenience of removing and cleaning dentures or a bridge and boosting your self-confidence. By choosing one-day dental implants, you'll save time, decrease your anxiety and enjoy the rest of your life with healthy, strong teeth.
Jaw Bone Health
When you are missing one or more teeth, you may suffer from jawbone loss at the site of the gap. The loss of your jawbone will likely cause additional problems. These range from a diminished appearance to failing health. Trouble with your remaining natural teeth, pain and the inability to speak normally are other problems that crop up when you experience jawbone loss.
Just as muscles retain their strength and usefulness with exercise, your body maintains bone tissue through use. Your natural teeth are rooted in the jawbone. Because of this, activities like biting and chewing stimulate the area. If teeth are absent, the alveolar bone, which is the section of the jawbone that holds your teeth in your mouth, no longer receives the stimulation that it needs. This causes the bone to break down. When it does, your body will begin to resorb it. Broken down bone deteriorates and disappears.
During the first year of a lost tooth, the width of your jawbone diminishes by about 25 percent of its surface area. It can lose as much as 4 millimeters of its total size. This causes the bone to weaken. It will also change your appearance. The teeth that surround the gap are likely to shift into the open space. If this happens, it will transform your bite. Other consequences of missing teeth are:
- Chronic pain
- Limited support for your lips
- Wrinkling around the mouth
- Sinus expansion
- Poor nutrition due to the inability to chew properly
The most common causes of jawbone loss are tooth extractions, gum disease and dentures or bridges. Tooth and jaw trauma in addition to jaw misalignment are other causes of the condition.
Dental implants will allow you to avoid the negative results of missing teeth. At Gage Dental Care, our Bell implant dentist is Dr. Hanookai. She offers extensive treatment options for missing or damaged teeth.
Choosing a Dental Implant Specialist
Dental implants are a major investment, one that has the potential to transform your entire appearance. Because of this, it is vital to choose a skilled and trained implantologist. At Gage Dental Care, our Bell implant dentist has years of experience. Dr. Hanookai has even taught others how to complete proper dental implants.
Gage Dental Care is a full-service dental provider. We offer our patients the highest level of care. Our dentists have the skills to handle complicated dental cases that require advanced planning and steady hands. When it comes to dental implants, we are committed to the satisfaction of our patients. To this end, we've established a protocol for follow-up visits to ensure that you receive continual support.
At Gage Dental Care in California, we know that cosmetic dentistry requires precision and the ability to focus entirely on each step of a dental procedure. Our elite dental team consistently works to provide each patient with healthy and aesthetically pleasing teeth. We know the importance of a person's smile. Because it is so important, we will take every effort to maintain and enhance yours.
Our office is state-of-the-art, and we invest in the latest technological advancements. At Gage Dental Care, we know that the future of the industry involves technology. We focus on the comfort of our patients, so our Bell office is equipped with an onsite rehabilitation room, comfortable dental chairs and entertainment options. If you need to be sedated during a dental treatment, we'll provide transportation to and from our office.
By choosing Gage Dental Care for your dental implants, your mouth will be in the skilled hands of Dr. Hanookai and Dr. Abaian. Let them use their artistic talents and extensive dental experience to give you the perfect smile.
One Tooth/Multiple Missing Teeth
Advancements in the dental industry have increased the number of dental implant options that are available. In fact, there are now more than 40 different types. These range from traditional dental implants to mini versions. Today, most people need one tooth or multiple missing teeth implants.
For a single tooth implant, your Bell dentist will surgically position the dental appliance in an opening that he or she makes in your jawbone. After the implant connects to your bone, it will become a permanent root for a porcelain crown. For the treatment to be effective, you must have an adequate amount of bone left in your jaw. In addition, the bone that you have left must be strong and healthy enough to hold the implant and support it.
If your bone is too deteriorated to place the implant securely, then you may need a bone grafting or bone augmentation procedure. Also, the natural teeth that surround the gap left by the missing tooth as well as the supporting tissue must be in good condition to support the implant.
When it comes to multiple missing teeth, they can be replaced with individual implants or by linking several implants together. If you select the linking option, then the implant treatment may cost less because Dr. Hanookai can place two implants for three missing teeth as long as these teeth are next to each other. In this situation, the implants will be spaced out so that they can support a crown in the center. The option is a little less invasive.
By choosing to replace missing teeth with implants, you'll benefit from the added security that implants provide. Once Dr. Hanookai assesses your implant needs, she'll recommend the best treatment for you based on your overall oral health and restoration requirements.
Full Mouth Implant Fix
If all of your teeth are missing, then we can replace them with an implant-supported full bridge. We also offer dentures. Keep in mind that with dental implants, we are able to give you back your lost teeth as well as some of your roots.
Dental implants offer a number of advantages over other replacement options for teeth. The main one is that they'll look and function like your natural teeth. They are also long lasting, stable and comfortable. With dental implants, you'll be able to eat in the same way as you did when you had natural teeth. You can also eat most of the same foods including ones that are especially hard or even sticky.
Other teeth replacement options like bridges and dentures can cause your bone to deteriorate while dental implants preserve it since they integrate with the bone. Implants are also easier to take care of than conventional dentures.
For a full mouth replacement, Dr. Hanookai will position titanium implants into your body's jawbone. The implants may remind you of construction screws. After the implants are inserted, your body will need time to accept the dental appliance and heal. For most people, this part of the process takes two to six months. For the interim, Dr. Hanookai will cover the implant sites with temporary caps. The covers won't look as nice as the permanent ones, but they will give you back the functionality of your natural teeth.
During the procedure, your dentist will attach extensions to the implants along with connecting devices for multiple crowns. Depending on the number of implants that are placed, Dr. Hanookai may use an attachment device for implants or an anchor for a denture.
Every person is different, and in some cases, Dr. Hanookai may be able to combine steps to give you a perfect smile more quickly. At Gage Dental Care in Bell, we have the skills and equipment to provide you with a full set of implants.
Full Mouth over Dentures
Losing teeth is a distressing situation. You may have concerns regarding the replacement cost of new teeth as well as your health. When you lose teeth, it's important to turn to the experts to work out the best replacement option for you. While the cost of implants may have you considering dentures, full mouth implants offer a number of advantages to traditional dentures.
Because implants involve replacing the root of a natural tooth with a titanium post, the treatment allows you to return to your regular lifestyle quickly and completely. Technology has improved the appearance of modern-day dentures, but they won't look quite as natural as porcelain crowns.
With full mouth implants, you'll perform your oral health in the same way as you did before you lost your teeth while dentures require you to physically remove and clean them regularly. You must also leave dentures out of your mouth at night to give your gums time to recover from the day's wear.
Implants are stable teeth replacements. If you opt for dentures, then they may slip around in your mouth. Because dentures can cause your jawbone to deteriorate, this part of your body will change shape. This will likely result in improperly fitting dentures and the need to use a dental adhesive. A changing jawbone will require you to get a new set of dentures periodically.
Dentures can make it hard to speak and eat because you may not have the muscle control to keep them in place. You'll need to be patient as your body develops this added control. With dentures, you will face food restrictions. These limitations could make it harder for you to eat a balanced diet.
While the initial cost difference may have you considering dentures, research shows that implants may be a more cost-effective option. At Gage Dental Care, we can help you select the best choice for your mouth and budget.
Four Upper and Four Lower Implants over Dentures
At Gage Dental Care, our Los Angeles dentist provides premium dental implants and permanent tooth replacements. Dr. Hanookai has experience placing advanced implant systems that permit her to use the minimum amount of implants capable of supporting a complete set of teeth. Four upper and four lower implants are able to support a full upper and lower jaw arch of permanent replacement teeth. We can even complete this procedure in one day.
When it comes to implants, the four and four option is efficient and cost effective. It also offers a number of benefits to other teeth replacement solutions like dentures. For instance, implants create a stable base for replacement teeth while dentures are fragile. In fact, if you drop them on a hard surface, they will likely break.
The initial lower cost of dentures may tempt you into getting them, but keep in mind that most people wind up replacing dentures every three to six years. This could make implants more affordable in the long run. Because implants preserve your jawbone and prevent numerous gum problems, the dental appliance supports better overall oral health.
Four upper and four lower implants will also improve your appearance. They provide the same type of support for your face as your natural teeth do. In addition, implants may actually be more aesthetically pleasing than your original teeth. Over time, teeth become stained and slightly damaged. By replacing them with implants that support porcelain crowns, you'll receive a new and better smile.
At Gage Dental Care in the greater Los Angeles area, we can replace your full set of teeth. We offer free consultations, so let us show you how you'll look wearing a new smile.