If you have been considering tooth replacement options, wanting to smile confidently again, you are not alone. Dental implants in Beverly Hills and elsewhere in California are steadily becoming one of the most popular methods of replacing teeth.

They are considered the most natural alternative to real teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are screw-like posts that replace the roots of the tooth and allow artificial teeth to replace missing or damaged teeth in the same way natural teeth function and look.

Dental implant surgery can be an excellent way to ditch dentures or bridgework that doesn’t fit well or lack natural tooth roots.

To replace missing teeth, dental implants are surgically inserted into your jawbone. Since the titanium fuses your jawbone, dental implants won’t slip or damage your bone as fixed bridgework or dentures can.

In fact, the presence of the titanium implant in the bone even supports and protects the bone’s integrity.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

A dentist will examine your teeth to determine whether you are an eligible candidate for dental implants. The two most important qualifications are good overall health and adequate jaw bone.

Bone loss is common with missing teeth, so ensuring a bone to anchor to is a significant issue for potential patients who lost teeth a long time ago.

Regardless of your needs in restorative dentistry, dental implants are generally an excellent solution. Dental implants are an excellent choice if you meet the following criteria:

  • Have teeth and gums that are healthy and have a good level of oral hygiene
  • Have bone that is healthy and can support the implant
  • Are in excellent general health
  • Are you a non-smoker, or are willing to quit during the procedure and recovery period
  • Have a fully developed jaw

What Is Recovery Like and What Results Can I Expect?

In most cases, dental implants are done as outpatient surgeries with some healing time between treatment steps.

There are multiple steps involved in the process, including:

  • Removal of the damaged tooth
  • Preparation of the jawbone
  • Insertion of the dental implant
  • Recovery time to allow the implant to fuse to the bone
  • Placement of the artificial tooth

Depending on your situation, the specific procedure, and the materials used, certain steps can sometimes be combined. The process can take several months to complete. Much of that time is spent healing and waiting for the implant to attach to the bone securely.

You will likely experience some of the typical discomforts associated with dental surgery, regardless of whether it’s done in one or multiple stages:

  • Swelling of your face and gums
  • Bruising of your skin
  • Pain at the implant site
  • Occasional minor bleeding

As the surgical site heals, you may need to eat soft foods. Your surgeon may use stitches that will dissolve on their own. If your stitches don’t dissolve on their own, your dentist will remove them.

Are Dental Implants Worth It?

Dental implants are the only dental restoration treatment that functions entirely like your natural teeth and doesn’t require you to sacrifice or damage your surrounding teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants do not need to be removed or cleaned (instead, they are maintained just like your natural teeth). Unlike dental bridges, the surrounding teeth do not need to be shaved down to support the bridge.

Dental implants allow you to smile confidently, eat your favorite foods, and feel at ease.