The poking, prodding, and scraping may make people dread their routine teeth cleaning. At Landmark Dental Arts in San Diego, California, James Berry, DDS, and the dental experts offer comprehensive teeth cleaning with a gentle touch. Your regular teeth cleanings not only improve oral health but may also prevent the need for more serious dental work. To schedule a teeth cleaning, call the office by phone or book an appointment online today.
Dental Implants Q & A
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a popular option for permanent tooth replacement. Dentists recommend them to replace single teeth or to provide secure support for bridges of several teeth. Implants consist of:
- A titanium root inserted into your jawbone
- An abutment, or post, attached to the root
- A crown, or replacement tooth, attached to the abutment
Implants are strong, durable, and designed to look and function exactly like regular teeth. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
What happens during a dental implant procedure?
Dr. Berry installs dental implants over the course of several appointments. You have an initial consultation where he takes X-rays to determine your suitability for the procedure and lays out a treatment plan for you.
Next, Dr. Berry performs surgery to place the titanium root in your jawbone. He uses local anesthesia, so you don’t feel any pain and provide pain medication if you need it afterward. We offer Conscious sedation and nitrus oxide is available on request. You need to let the implant heal for three to six months before going any further. During that time, your bone heals around the root, securing it in place.
At your next appointment, Dr. Berry puts the abutment in place and takes impressions of the surrounding teeth to design the crown. Finally, Dr. Berry cements the crown to the abutment. He matches the crown’s coloring of the rest of your teeth.
How do I take care of a dental implant?
Taking care of a dental implant is similar to taking care of your natural teeth. It won’t change the way you brush, floss, speak, or eat. It also requires the same routine professional cleanings and plaque removal. Because the implant is so natural-looking and tooth-like, you might even forget it’s there.
What happens if I don’t replace the missing tooth?
Aside from creating aesthetic damage, missing teeth can cause:
- Shifts in tooth alignment
- Speaking impairments
- Difficulty chewing
- Jawbone deterioration
- Susceptibility to TMJ pain and cavities
If you have a missing tooth or need a tooth extraction, you don’t have to live with the gap left in your teeth. Contact Dr. Berry online or by phone today to discuss the possibility of dental implants.