What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small pieces of metal that are surgically implanted into your mouth. These tiny, screw-shaped titanium implants are able to bond permanently with your jaw tissue, and they function as artificial tooth roots.

A variety of “implant restorations” can be attached to this implant to restore your smile. Single-tooth implants use one dental crown to replace a single tooth, but multiple teeth or even a full mouth of teeth can be replaced with dental implants.

Implant Restorations & Maintenance

At our office in Corona, we specialize in custom-built implant restorations, such as dental crowns. We also offer dental implant maintenance as part of every six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam at our office.

Single-Tooth Implants

Single-tooth implants are great for restoring one or several missing teeth. They are the simplest type of implant, consisting of one implant post and a porcelain dental crown.

Full-Arch Implants

Full-arch implants use a series of 4-6 dental implants to support a set of implant dentures. These dentures snap onto the implants, so they won’t move or shift, and they are much more durable compared to traditional dentures.

The Dental Implant Treatment Process

Initial Consultation

Interested in dental implants? The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Martinez. He will evaluate your oral health and bone strength, and take x-rays to determine if implants are right for you. He will also discuss your other options, such as partial dentures and dental bridges.

Implant Placement

Once you’ve been approved for treatment, you’ll come back to our office to have your implants placed. Dr. Martinez will clean and numb your mouth, then create a small opening in your gums and jaw, and place each implant based on your treatment plan. You’ll be sent home to rest and recover.

Creating Your Restoration

It will take 1-2 weeks to heal from your initial treatment, and about 3-6 months for your implants to bond with your jaw bone. During this time, you will come in for follow-ups so that Dr. Martinez can check on your recovery process and begin building your implant restoration, such as a dental crown.

Final Restoration Placement

Once your mouth is fully healed and your implant restoration has been completed, you’ll come in for your final appointment. Dr. Martinez will check the fit of your restoration, then bond it into place permanently to restore your smile.

The Unique Benefits Of Dental Implants

Dental implants have a lot of unique benefits. First, they last 30+ years and can easily last for the rest of your life, making them the best long-term option for tooth replacement.
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They also help support the health of your jaw bone by stimulating the bone tissue just like a natural tooth would. This prevents bone resorption after tooth loss, which is still an issue with other restorative treatments like dental bridges and partial dentures.
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Implants also look and feel more natural than any other type of smile restoration. Since they’re anchored to your jaw, they will never move or shift when you eat or speak.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are made of durable biocompatible titanium that is built to last. Once they osseointegrate which means to fuse with the jawbone, they form a stable tooth root that won’t ever more and they stabilize the retardation to replace a missing tooth.

The implant itself lasts for 25 years to life with proper care. As long as you practice good oral hygiene, don’t smoke, and have healthy bone support, you may never have to replace your implants. However, the restoration that is attached to the implants is only temporary and needs to be replaced. Different restorations can be attached to implants, including crowns, dentures, and bridges. A crown will need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years, while dentures and bridges last for 10 to 15 years on average.

Can Dental Implants Become Infected?

Yes, dental implants can become infected, this is known as peri-implantitis. While this is rare as long as you care for your implants properly, this is a very serious infection and causes implant failure.

Smoking, having diabetes, being allergic to metal, and practicing poor oral hygiene all increase your risk for peri-implantitis. This infection causes gum inflammation and destruction of the bone that is supporting the implants.

Signs of peri-implantitis include swollen or bleeding gums, pus in the mouth, bad breath, difficulty chewing, pain around the implant, fever, and an implant that feels loose or like it’s moving.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact Dr. Martinez right away so we can take x-rays to determine if your implants are infected. Depending on how early it is detected, we may be able to treat the infection without compromising your implants, but if the infection is too advanced, they may need to be removed and your jawbone will require bone grafting.

Do Dental Implants Stop Bone Loss?

Yes, dental implants are the only type of restoration that prevents bone loss. When you lose a tooth, you suffer from bone resorption because the jawbone no longer receives stimulation from chewing. This is because the loss of a tooth means there are no longer any tooth roots that extend into the jawbone to transfer chewing forces.

An implant solves this problem by placing a titanium post into the jawbone and over time, the jawbone and implant fuse, forming an artificial tooth root that can then transfer chewing forces to the jawbone.

This sends a message to the jawbone that new bone cells need to keep being regenerated. Without a tooth root, this message doesn’t get sent and the bone stops regenerating cells, leading to irreversible bone loss.

Can Dental Implants Shift?

Dental implants should never shift under any circumstances. An implant is designed to remain stable and unmoving in the jawbone. This is what makes it such a desirable long-term tooth replacement.

A moving implant is a sign of implant failure. However, sometimes a patient may feel like their teeth or implant is moving when the restoration is attached because they are not used to the additional pressure or change in their bite.

You will get used to it within a few days. It’s important that if you believe or notice that your implant is genuinely moving, you contact us at Corona Smile Shoppe right away for a dental emergency.

CBCT Scanner for Dental Implants

Technology has made significant strides to ensure optimal patient comfort and precision during procedures. One such technological advancement is the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanner, a cutting-edge tool that has revolutionized implant placements at the Corona Smile Shoppe.

The CBCT scanner provides a 3D image of the patient's mouth, giving Dr. Martinez a comprehensive view of the bone structure, nerves, and tissues. This detailed visualization allows for precise planning and execution of the dental implant procedure, minimizing potential complications and promoting a faster healing process. By using a CBCT scanner, Dr. Martinez ensures that your dental implants are placed with the utmost accuracy for a successful and comfortable treatment experience.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the Best Age to Get Dental Implants?

There's a common misconception that dental implants are only suitable for older adults. However, the reality is that the best age for dental implants is not defined by a number, but by the maturity and health of your jawbone. Typically, this happens around the age of 18 for females and 20 for males.

Dental implants require a fully developed jawbone for successful integration and support. Therefore, they are generally not recommended for children or adolescents whose jawbones are still growing. However, adults of any age who have good oral health and sufficient bone density can consider dental implants as a durable, long-term solution for missing teeth. As always, Dr. Martinez at Corona Smile Shoppe will provide a thorough evaluation to determine if dental implants are the right option for you

How Many Teeth Do You Need for Implants?

The beauty of dental implants is their versatility. Whether you're missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all of your teeth, dental implants can provide a solution.

For a single missing tooth, one implant topped with a custom-made crown can fill the gap seamlessly. If you're missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a bridge. And for those missing all teeth, full-mouth dental implants can restore your smile with a full set of prosthetic teeth anchored to multiple implants.

At Corona Smile Shoppe, Dr. Martinez will guide you through your options and help you decide the best course of action based on your specific needs and oral health.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

While the idea of dental implants may seem daunting, the procedure itself is typically not painful. At Corona Smile Shoppe, Dr. Martinez prioritizes patient comfort and uses local anesthesia to numb the area before starting the procedure. Most patients report feeling some pressure but no pain during the implant placement.

Post-procedure, you might experience some discomfort, swelling, or bruising, which is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Dr. Martinez will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Remember, every patient's experience is unique, and Dr. Martinez is committed to making your dental implant journey as comfortable and worry-free as possible.

Dental Implants in Corona, CA

Permanently Restore Missing Teeth

What Are Dental Implants?

Implant Restorations & Maintenance

Implant Restorations & Maintenance

Single-Tooth Implants

Full-Arch Implants

The Dental Implant Treatment Process

Initial Consultation

Implant Placement

Creating Your Restoration

Final Restoration Placement

The Unique Benefits Of Dental Implants

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Can Dental Implants Become Infected?

Do Dental Implants Stop Bone Loss?

Can Dental Implants Shift?

CBCT Scanner for Dental Implants

Frequently Asked Question

What is the Best Age to Get Dental Implants?

How Many Teeth Do You Need for Implants?

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Ready to Refresh Your Smile?