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Dental Implants Los AngelesDr. Moshrefi is Los Angeles’s leading Dental Implants specialist with degrees in both dentistry and periodontics and nearly 20 years in professional practice. Moshrefi has a personal passion for helping people recover their oral health and confidence. His state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary dental practice offers holistic, cosmetic, orthodontic, and implant dentistry, in addition to unsurpassed periodontal care, in a single clinical setting.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a post that is surgically placed in the jaw, simulating the missing tooth root. The post provides a strong, secure foundation upon which a dental crown (replacement tooth) is attached in the final stages of the restoration. The result is a stable restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Dental implants do not come loose like dentures and are not attached to your existing teeth (like a bridge). Traditional dental implants are titanium, but recent innovations in the dental arts have led to the development of ceramic implants, created from zirconium.
Do I need dental implants?
Unlike older tooth replacement treatments (bridges and dentures), dental implants look, act, and feel like natural teeth. Because the tooth restoration is surgically implanted in your jaw, it is as sturdy as a natural tooth. You can floss, brush, and eat the foods you love without restrictions. If you’re dealing with tooth loss or have severely decayed or damaged teeth, a dental implant may be the perfect way to restore your beautiful smile.
How many dental implants would I need?
A periodontist will typically place dental implants individually (replacing one tooth at a time). But in a few cases, the entire set of teeth should be replaced. Because every patient has different dental problems and goals, our dental and periodontics specialists in Beverly Hills are happy to provide complete consultations and answer questions.
- Single tooth replacement: When replacing a single tooth, a dental implant post will be installed during a minimally invasive surgery. The implant will then undergo osseointegration, the process of integrating into your jawbone. Then, you’ll return to the dental office for installation of the crown – the actual replacement tooth itself.
- Multiple-tooth replacement options: Where you have several missing teeth, dental implants can be installed in each location, or a full set of teeth can be placed on several implant posts. An implant-secured bridge is the strongest and most stable implant system, more stable and long-lasting than a traditional bridge.
- Full mouth rejuvenation options: The All-on-4 procedure offers an optimal dental restoration solution if you’re missing the majority of your upper or lower teeth. This is because it provides you with a full set of teeth affixed to four implant posts that are inserted in just one treatment session. This means that you go home with a full arch of functioning artificial teeth the same day as your procedure (that’s why they’re called “teeth in a day”)
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
A thorough examination is required to determine whether you are currently a candidate for dental implants. The examination will include an X-ray to determine if your bone structure is enough to support a dental implant. The exam will also ensure that your gum tissue is healthy and safe for surgery.
If we find that you do not have adequate bone to accept an implant, we can remedy that by performing a bone graft to build up more bone. At MD Periodontics, our surgeons are among the best at performing dental implants in Beverly Hills.
What is the dental implant process?
When you arrive for dental implants:
- The target site will be numbed so the procedure is pain-free.
- Your doctor will create a small surgical incision in the gums and the jawbone where the implant is to be placed.
- The implant post will be inserted into the jawbone.
- After the implant post is seated in the jawbone, the implant will be temporarily capped off, and the gums will be sutured (stitched) back in place so they can heal.
- The post will grow into the jaw and become very stable, which takes up to a few months.
- Once healing and bone integration are complete, an abutment will be attached to the now-secure post. This abutment is the connection piece between the post and the tooth crown.
- Optional: With a zirconia all-ceramic dental implant, the abutment and post are one piece, so Step 6 isn’t required. A temporary crown would be placed on the abutment for the healing phase, protecting it from tongue thrust and keeping food particles out of the implant site. When healed, the temporary crown will be removed, and a permanent crown will be put in place.
- As a final step, a color integrating crown will be secured to the top of the implant abutment.
- Smile!
Types of dental implants
There are four ways dental implants can be done, and these four procedures use the same two basic dental implant materials—Ceramic (or “Zirconia”) implants and Titanium implants. During your consultation, Drs. Moshrefi and Daneshmand will explain the highlights, realities, and benefits of each material type, and will help you make the choice that works best for you.
Ceramic (Zirconia) dental implants
Some patients prefer implants that don’t contain any metal. In these cases, Drs. Moshrefi and Daneshmand can provide zirconia all-ceramic implants. Though zirconia dental implants have been in successful use in Europe for more than a decade, when it comes to Beverly Hills dental implants, MD Periodontics is one of the few practices delivering the procedure locally.
Ceramic implants perform just as well as titanium implants. The main reason for this is because ceramic, a very strong, biocompatible (non-harmful to living tissue) material, doesn’t corrode. We use CeraRoot implants, which feature a ceramic post and abutment. With a CeraRoot implant, the whole restoration is white, so there is no possibility of a dark line of metal appearing beneath the crown. Thus, you have a very natural-looking restoration that is strong and resistant to bacteria.
Titanium dental implants
Metal implants are made of titanium. Titanium dental implants are very strong, biocompatible, and resist corrosion. When inserted into the jawbone, they progressively integrate with the surrounding bone. An abutment is attached to the top of the post, and a crown, bridge, or denture will then be attached securely to that abutment. The success rate of titanium dental implants is high, complications are very rare, and the implants will last for many, many years, possibly a lifetime.
or call us at Dental implant recovery
What are the recovery time and aftercare required for dental implants?
Patients are typically able to return to work the same day after receiving implants. Recovery times vary from person to person. However, in typical single-tooth implants with no bone grafting, patients are typically able to continue life as usual with little inconvenience. Minor post-surgery swelling or bruising is common for three to four days, which is easily managed with minor pain medication if needed. You will often only be required to carefully clean the area during the healing process and will be on a soft-food and liquid diet for 7 to 10 days following the dental procedure.
In cases where bone grafting is required, or multiple implants are needed, you may experience a slightly longer recovery period. The aftercare in such cases is determined on an individual basis. You shouldn’t experience a particularly painful or difficult recovery, and pain medication will keep you comfortable in the first few days after your treatment.
Dental Implants in Los Angeles FAQs
Will people be able to tell I have dental implants?
If done correctly, the answer is no. Dental implants integrate into your jaw structure and become part of your mouth, just like your other teeth. Our dental lab technicians design crowns that match and color-integrate with your existing teeth, and ceramic implants especially look just like natural teeth.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to last many years or even a whole lifetime. Like natural teeth, if they are taken care of, you should expect your new teeth to last for decades. Various factors, such as nutrition, good oral hygiene, regular oral care, and overall body health, affect this.
How long is the dental implant procedure?
The placement of an implant is very much like getting a filling; once the area is numb, there is little pain or discomfort. The procedure is a two-stage process, where the gums need to heal where the implant was placed and the post allowed time to integrate into the surrounding bone (osseointegration). You might experience some discomfort for a few days and, in most cases, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever will suffice.
Can I get a dental implant in the same visit that I have a tooth extracted?
There are times when this can be done. It will depend on how much bone you have at the extraction site as well as the health of the soft tissues in the area. If both factors are good, then it may be possible to place the implant right after the extraction. This can save weeks or months of healing time.
Are dental implants better than dental bridges?
It depends on the individual case, but quite often, the answer is yes. With a bridge, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be shaved down and then capped with crowns. A false tooth is attached between them to replace the missing tooth. Filing down the two healthy teeth potentially makes them weaker and more susceptible to decay. With an implant, we don’t alter other healthy teeth.
I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone for a dental implant treatment. Does that mean I can’t get implants?
No. There are many techniques we can use to handle that situation. A common procedure is a dental implant with bone graft, where healthy bone is taken from one site and placed in the area where more bone is needed. Over a period, the grafted bone helps generate newer and healthy bone, opening the site to dental implants. We can go over with you all of the various options to make implants possible for your specific dental situation.
How do I take care of dental implants?
Once your dental implants are completed, you take care of them just as you would natural teeth. You need to brush and floss regularly and receive regular routine checkups. Be sure to keep your gums clean as well. If bacteria get under the gums, the gums can deteriorate and pull away from the implant, just as they would with a natural tooth.
What if I don’t get dental implants when I need them?
Not replacing a missing tooth or teeth can cause gum recession and bone loss or cause other teeth to wear prematurely. Ultimately, not getting treatment can result in damage to adjacent teeth. You could also experience difficulty with eating, jaw aches, headaches, and shifting teeth.
Is dental implant surgery covered by insurance?
That depends on your specific dental insurance plan and provider. We’re happy to help check your coverage options.
Are dental implants painful?
You can expect minor pain when receiving a dental implant; however, people who undergo the procedure often say that having a tooth removed is more painful. Routine post-operative feedback is that it was far less painful than expected. At MD Periodontics, we are committed to helping our patients have a comfortable experience that’s as painless as possible.
How much do dental implants cost in Los Angeles?
The cost of dental implants can range from $2,000 to $5,000 for a single implant, and the price varies depending on the exact treatment plan.
How could dental implants change my life?
There are many benefits of dental implants. Implants help maintain bone structure, protect your other teeth, and enable you to chew food. But the biggest change is that dental implants can restore your smile and give you long-term, fully functional teeth so you can smile widely with confidence.
A true dental artist: Dr. Moshrefi of Los Angeles
Dr. Moshrefi is a true artist in his field. He graduated from UCLA in 1995 with Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude Honors and subsequently received his doctorate and specialty training in Periodontics from USC in 2002. He received a Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology and is currently a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Dental Association, and other professional organizations.
Best dental implants in Los Angeles
Dr. Abdy Moshrefi, DDS, and Dr. Nazanin Daneshmand, DDS, are board-certified, expert implant dentists. Together they have performed over 1,000 dental implants since 1999. Rest assured, at MD Periodontics, you’re in very experienced and competent hands. Our entire staff is dedicated to making sure you are comfortable during all procedures and that we provide the highest quality dental care possible with the best results from dental implants that Beverly Hills has to offer you.
To schedule an appointment, CLICK HERE or call 310-496-1792. Your smile will thank you!
At MD Periodontics, we take our patients’ safety seriously. Our facility follows Covid-19 patient safety procedures that exceed all CDC recommendations. Masks are required in our institutes at all times.
We are conveniently located to patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Our Beverly Hills office is conveniently located near West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino.
