Affordable Implant Dentistry in La Crescenta, CA
• Give us a call or visit our office in La Crescenta to learn more about our dental implant procedures
• We have a simple and very straightforward dental implant process
• Dental insurance can make the entire procedure much more affordable
• Dr. Shabani will explain all of your options in detail during the initial exam
• If you have problems with your current implants, we can help repair them
If you’re missing a tooth, that gap will affect more than your smile. It can inhibit your ability to speak clearly and you may not be able to chew certain foods. More importantly, it can cause more oral health problems down the road. Left untreated, a gap in your teeth will cause the rest of your teeth to shift, resulting in a crooked or misaligned smile. The gap will also expose your gum tissue to infection, which will ultimately spread to other teeth.
A Dental Implant Can Restore Your Smile
Fortunately, we have found that dental implants can help prevent these problems by mimicking a whole tooth. The dental implant is made of three sections: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The implant portion is intended to imitate the functioning of the root of the tooth. It’s inserted into the vacant slot and pushed down, where the bone and gum tissue can grow around it.
The abutment is the visible part of the implant and resembles a natural tooth in appearance and function. Filling the gap with the abutment will protect against the shifting of teeth that would otherwise occur. Once the implant is securely in place, a crown can be set in place. You can choose a crown that will resemble your natural teeth, or you can choose one made from other materials.
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
As long as you don’t have gum disease and you haven’t experienced bone loss in the affected area, you will probably be a good candidate for dental implants. Before you go forward with the procedure, your La Crescenta implant dentist at Shabani Dental professional will want to consult with you. Dentists are reluctant to administer dental implants, unless the patient is dedicated to taking better care of their teeth. Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants require diligent care.
If you take proper care of your implants, there’s no reason they can’t last for several decades. The good news is that your implants don’t really require special care, so following a good oral care routine is sufficient. This involves brushing your teeth, including your implants, at least twice per day. When you brush, use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Instead of trying to scrub your teeth, lightly polish each tooth, making sure to brush close to the gum line.
Many people rinse with water, but this will flush the fluoride out of your mouth along with the toothpaste. Instead, rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash is wiser. Flossing daily is also important, but be gentle immediately following your implant procedure. You may want to skip the area around your implant for the first few days. Once the gum tissue heals, you can floss the area regularly.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
The procedure does involve the mild discomfort you would expect from any dental procedure, but numbing of the area eliminates any pain. Afterwards, the gum tissue may be sore and bruised, but this is mild as well. Many patients report feeling much better than they expected after the procedure.
Additionally, there’s little downtime, if you experience any at all. Patients typically feel better within a day or two and can resume their normal routines almost immediately. This is good news for people with busy schedules.
Delaying treatment for a lost tooth can cause your oral health to deteriorate. To learn more about dental implants, and to schedule a consultation, contact Shabani Dental to make an appointment. Our dental caregivers can help restore your smile and ensure your oral health is the best it can be.