Dental implants are almost universally regarded as a superior alternative to dentures, making them somewhat the belle of the ball in the reconstructive dentistry field. For patients who’ve lost teeth or had tooth extractions, implants generally offer better results than most alternatives. Dental implants are visually indistinguishable from natural teeth. However, the surgery is more complex surgery, and the price tag reflects that.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are tooth replacements that best replicate the look and feel of natural teeth. Unlike removable dentures, which require you to routinely glue a custom plate in place of your missing teeth, a dental implant is a prosthesis that is directly and permanently attached to the jawbone.
The dental implant procedure requires drilling into the jawbone and implanting a small metal post (abutment). The new tooth (crown) is affixed to the top of this post.
Who specializes in dental implants?
Dental implantation is a very delicate procedure. The artificial tooth has to be placed at the correct angle, depth, and position to look natural, function like a natural tooth, and avoid damaging adjacent teeth. Dental implants should be done only by oral surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, or periodontists who’ve had the appropriate surgical training.
In some complex cases – for example, if you need bone grafting before the implant – your periodontist may also need to consult with other specialists.
Questions to ask when choosing the right implant dentist
There are many factors to consider when looking into dental implants, and a good oral surgeon will take all of these into account. A mediocre dentist who doesn’t go over your oral health, dental goals, and overall health may miss potential counterindications or choose the wrong restoration procedure.
It’s important to pay extra attention when choosing an implant dentist. This means sitting down for a longer talk.
So what should this talk be about? Implant dentistry is a complex niche, and you’ll want an experienced and highly-trained professional to take charge of yours.
What are your dentistry credentials?
To ensure your dentist is qualified, ask about the specific training they underwent, from dental school onwards. This should include the university, the hospital attached to the program, as well as its length.
You should also ask your dentist if they are board-certified and belong to any professional organizations. Board certification is technically an elective credential, but it provides a firm guarantee that a healthcare professional is committed to the highest standards in their field.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Dental implants may give the most natural results of all tooth replacement options, but they’re not equally great for everybody. Generally speaking, this type of dental surgery works best among those who:
- Are old enough to have developed their jaw and oral bones fully.
- Have healthy and dense enough bones to anchor the implant.
- Don’t smoke.
- Don’t have another ongoing condition that will damage the bones.
If your dentist suggests implants are the best path to a new smile, you should ask them why, and how they would navigate any potential risks.
What types of dental implants would you use for me?
There are multiple options for dental implants. The material of the implants can be titanium or ceramic (zirconia) and the implantation can be endosteal or subperiosteal. Traditional implants are endosteal — the screw and abutment are directly implanted in the jaw bone.
Generally, if you’ve experienced bone loss where we need to implant the artificial tooth, we’ll perform a bone graft first to reinforce the jaw bone. However, subperiosteal implants can also work for patients with insufficient bone. The subperiostal dental implant surgery skips the need for a bone graft but requires a more complex surgical procedure. Instead of screwing the implants into the bone, subperiosteal implants sit on a metal framework placed on the jawbone.
The periodontist you’re meeting with should go over all the dental implant treatment options and explain which is best for your situation. They should also go over all the potential risks and benefits of dental implants. Don’t work with someone who treats the procedure like it’s 100% risk-free.
What will you do about the pain?
Most cosmetic dentists and surgeons prefer to use local anesthesia and mild sedation for implant surgery. It’s safer than general anesthesia, and you won’t feel anything during the procedure.
Most of the discomfort happens during the first day immediately after the surgery, once the anesthesia wears off – and both you and your dental surgeon should discuss how you’ll handle it ahead of time. Your potential surgeon should also go over all post-surgical instructions before your procedure.
Make MD Periodontics your implant specialists
MD Periodontal is the premier Beverly Hills periodontal facility for high-quality dental care. Located in Beverly Hills, we provide a wide range of orthodontics and dental services. Our patients are not only local but come to us from around the globe for our highly rated oral surgery outcomes.
Dr. Abdy Moshrefi, DDS, and Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand, DDS, and their highly qualified, dedicated, professional staff form a team that provides top-of-the-line technology and skills earned from extensive experience. Our goal is always to help you have the best smile as well as the best oral health possible.
Schedule a consultation online or call us at (310) 859-9449. A spa-like atmosphere, staffed by a team who truly care about your smile, awaits you at our dental office!
MD Periodontics is conveniently located for patients throughout the metropolitan Los Angeles area. Our board-certified periodontists and implant dentistry experts are available at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino.
