Welcome to your comprehensive dental implants guide. At Little Smiles of Beverly Hills, our team of experienced dentists understands the importance of a healthy, beautiful smile. After all, dental implants are a popular and effective solution for missing teeth, offering a permanent and natural-looking restoration that can change your life. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know, from the initial consultation to maintaining your new, lifetime smile in Beverly Hills.
Our dentists believe that a restored smile is a confident smile. In fact, with modern dentistry, dental implants have become the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. This is because they function just like natural teeth, giving you the freedom to eat, speak, and smile without worry. Here in Beverly Hills, our dentistry practice is committed to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, typically made from durable materials like titanium. Our Beverly Hills dentist surgically places them into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone to create a strong, stable foundation for a replacement tooth, bridge, or denture. In short, a complete dental implant has three parts:
- The Implant, the artificial root, which our dentist surgically places into the jawbone.
- The Abutment, a connector that secures the new tooth to the implant.
- The Crown, the custom-made, natural-looking replacement tooth, which your dentist designs to blend in with your other teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Choosing dental implants offers a wide range of benefits beyond just restoring your teeth. In fact, our dentists in Beverly Hills see these life-changing results every day.
- Improved Appearance, Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth, thereby enhancing your facial aesthetics and smile.
- Enhanced Speech, Unlike dentures that can slip, dental implants stay securely in place, ultimately allowing you to speak without worry.
- Effortless Chewing, Furthermore, dental implants function just like natural teeth, enabling you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and comfort.
- Improved Oral and Overall Health, For example, dental implants don’t require altering adjacent teeth like bridges do, which helps preserve more of your natural tooth structure. Additionally, they also stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss that can occur with missing teeth.
- Durability, With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a cost-effective long-term solution.
Comparing Tooth Replacement Options
Choosing the right option for replacing a missing tooth is a big decision. Therefore, here is a quick look at how dental implants stack up against traditional alternatives like dentures and dental bridges. Our dental team in Beverly Hills can help you determine the best solution for your teeth.
| Feature | Dental Implants | Traditional Dentures | Dental Bridges |
| Functionality | Functions like a natural tooth. Provides full chewing power. | Can slip and reduce chewing efficiency. | Relies on surrounding teeth for support, which can be weakened. |
| Durability | Permanent, can last a lifetime with proper care. | Requires frequent replacement or relining. | Typically lasts 5-15 years. |
| Oral Health | Prevents bone loss and preserves surrounding teeth. | Does not prevent bone loss and can cause gum irritation. | Requires grinding down healthy teeth for support. |
| Aesthetics | Looks and feels like a natural tooth. | Can appear less natural and may slip. | Can look natural but may show metal clasps. |
Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure
The journey to a new smile begins with a thorough and personalized process. Consequently, our Beverly Hills dentist will guide you through every step.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Initial Consultation | Your dentist conducts a comprehensive exam to assess your oral health, including X-rays and 3D scans. As a result, this helps determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants and creates a custom treatment plan for your teeth. |
| 2. Surgical Phase | Our experienced dentist surgically places the dental implant into your jawbone. This may include a bone graft or tooth extraction beforehand. The implant then needs time to fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. |
| 3. Abutment Placement | Once the dental implant has fully integrated, our dentist places an abutment, or connector, on top of it. Your dentist will ensure it is perfectly positioned. |
| 4. Crown Placement | A custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is then attached to the abutment, completing your new, permanent teeth. The dentistry involved ensures a perfect fit. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Our dentists in Beverly Hills are here to answer your questions about dental implants and the process.
Most people with good general and oral health are candidates for dental implants. To clarify, the primary requirement is having a strong, healthy jawbone to support the implant. Your dentist will conduct a full examination to determine if dental implants are right for you and your teeth.
The entire dentistry process can take several months. This is because of the healing period after the dental implant is placed, which can take 3 to 6 months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. Ultimately, the total time depends on your specific treatment plan and whether your dentist needs to perform bone grafting.
Our dentists perform the dental procedure under local anesthesia, so you should not feel any pain during the surgery. After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, or minor bleeding, which you can manage with over-the-counter pain medication. Our dentists prioritize your comfort.
Dental implants have a very high success rate, often around 98%. The success depends on factors like your health, the quality of the dental implant, and the skill of the dentist performing the dentistry.
You care for them just like your natural teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups. Our dentist will give you specific care instructions. Good oral hygiene is key to the long-term success of your dental implants.
Conditions like diabetes or heart disease can affect the success of dental implants. Therefore, it is crucial to inform your dentist about any health conditions you have so they can assess your risk and ensure your condition is well-managed before the dentistry procedure.
Many insurance plans do not fully cover dental implants, classifying them as a cosmetic procedure. However, some plans may cover a portion of the cost. Our dentistry office in Beverly Hills can help you check your benefits and discuss financing options.
While rare, dental implants can fail. Possible causes include poor oral hygiene, smoking, or chronic health issues. Your dentist in Beverly Hills will discuss potential risks and how to prevent them during your consultation.
Not replacing a missing tooth can lead to a variety of issues for your other teeth, including shifting of surrounding teeth, bone loss in the jaw, and difficulty with chewing and speaking. Thankfully, dentistry offers solutions to prevent this.
While some cases may be suitable for a same-day or “All-on-Four” dental implant procedure, the full process typically involves multiple appointments spread out over several months to ensure the implant properly integrates with the bone. Our dentists will create a customized plan for your teeth.
Your Journey to a Complete Smile Begins Here
We hope this dental implants guide has provided you with a clear understanding of the many benefits of dental implants and the process of getting them. Dental implants are not just about replacing missing teeth, rather, they are about restoring your confidence, comfort, and a vibrant, healthy smile. Our dedicated team of dentists in Beverly Hills is committed to providing you with personalized care and exceptional results every step of the way.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you achieve the smile you have always wanted, please explore our full range of services. If you have any further questions or are ready to schedule your consultation, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to our dentistry practice and guiding you on your journey to a lifetime of beautiful smiles. You can also learn more about our philosophy and team on our About Us page.
