Dental Implants in Mission Viejo CA

Tooth replacement with a dental implant is the most effective and healthiest way to restore your smile and preserve the health of your jawbone and surrounding teeth. If multiple or all your teeth are missing, dental implants provide a long-term solution that restores full function and comfort without the limitations of bridges or dentures.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are tooth replacements that mimic a natural tooth, including the root and crown. A complete dental implant restoration has three parts:

• The Implant: This is a small screw, usually made of titanium or zirconia, which is placed in the jawbone to replace the missing tooth root.
• The Abutment: The abutment is a slender pin or fastener that permanently attaches the implant, once it is established in the jawbone, to a dental restoration.
• The Restoration: For a single tooth replacement, the restoration is a dental crown. If more than one tooth, or all of the teeth, are being replaced, the restoration may be a fixed bridge or a permanent arch of replacement teeth attached to more than one implant.

With dental implants, the person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Dental implants can also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration associated with missing teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

Single Dental Implant

A single implant can be placed without disturbing the teeth on either side if one tooth is missing. The implant screw is surgically placed in the jawbone, where it fuses with the surrounding bone, creating a stable base for the restoration.

Multiple Implants

When you are missing several teeth not in a row, you can have them replaced individually, each with an implant and an attached crown. This is a common option when just a few teeth are missing, particularly if they are not located next to each other.

Implant-Supported Bridge

If you have several missing teeth but would prefer a bridge rather than individual restorations, a bridge with all the replacement teeth can be supported by a few carefully placed implants.

Full-Arch Dental Implants

When you are missing all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, a full arch of replacement teeth can be fastened permanently between four and eight or more implants that are precisely placed in the jawbone to take advantage of the widest and strongest areas of the jawbone.

Implant-Supported Dentures

These are dentures that are attached to implants placed in the jawbone. Fixed implant-supported dentures are not removable but suspended just above the gums so you can clean beneath the denture. Removable implant-supported dentures snap into place on posts or bars attached to the implants in the jawbone. These can be removed when you are sleeping and for cleaning.

Why Choose Alicia Dentistry for Dental Implants

At Alicia Dentistry, our doctors perform the entire implant procedure, from placing the implants to attaching the final restorations. We also perform any necessary tooth extractions before placing the implants. While many dentists work in tandem with other specialists, we perform dental implant placement in-house, providing several advantages to our patients:

• We choose only the finest materials at every stage of your care.
• We carefully monitor your progress from tooth extraction to final restoration.
• Our patients do not have to see multiple doctors or schedule procedures at different locations.
• We offer various forms of sedation to make the implant placement process comfortable and anxiety-free.

The Dental Implant Procedure

For most patients, dental implant placement involves two surgical procedures. First, dental implants are placed in your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the gum surface, gradually bonding to the jawbone. You will be able to wear temporary dentures or a crown and eat a soft diet during this time.

After the dental implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. We uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. Dr. Austin will then start making your new teeth. Impressions of your mouth are taken so we can create your permanent crown, fixed bridge, or full arch of replacement teeth. When the restoration is ready, we connect it to your implant or implants using abutments or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes several months, with Dr. Austin monitoring your healing throughout the process. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily lives.

Ready to consider dental implants? Contact Alicia Dentistry at Alicia Dentistry Phone Number 949-586-9800 today to schedule a consultation.