Dental Implants in Orange County, California

Transcript:

What are dental implants and how do they work?

Dental implants are basically a replacement of teeth for you, which feel and look exactly like your own teeth. They are completely bionic. They are made of metal and there's no reaction to it, and most people handle it pretty well. They just act, function, and look like your own teeth.

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

Dental implants are okay for most people. We just have to see how much bone you have, and if you don't have bone, it can be replaced or grown. I would say most people are good candidates for dental implants.

What is the difference between mini implants and full implants?

Mini implants are short implants and they are sort of like temporary implants. I don't prefer mini implants unless you have no room or no bone for it. So, it's better to get proper implants or regular implants. They have some more retention, but when we take a look at you and your bone, we can advise as to what is good for you.

What is the dental implant process like from start to finish?

The dental implant process from start to finish is very easy. It's almost like just getting a filling done. We take some x-rays or a CT scan to see where your bone is at and then we do a consultation with you. We see where your sinuses, blood vessels, and nerves are, and then we make an appropriate treatment plan for you. We place the implant, then you heal for a while, and then we load the implant, or we put a tooth on top of the implant so that it functions like a regular tooth. That is mostly how an implant is done. There is almost no pain, you're numb at all times, and there's nothing sticking out of your mouth, which I see patients think that there will be something sticking out of your mouth, but there will not be anything sticking out of your mouth at any given time, and you will just feel like normal.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants should last a lifetime. Occasionally, they fail, but then we redo it again and we try to analyze why it failed. Most of the time, it lasts, or almost all the time, it lasts for the rest of your life. It should last for the rest of your life.