Dental Implants in Culver City

• Surgery: Many patients find the procedure of implant placement easier than they anticipated. Modern dental anesthetic numbs the site, and experienced hands carefully place the implant. A tiny guidehole provides a path for threading a small implant cylinder into place. The sterile piece is inserted into an exact location, and a smooth cover, or healing cap, protects the implant during the healing period. In some cases, a temporary or permanent crown may be inserted at the time of surgery.
• Integration: Implants cannot withstand normal bite forces until the bone has integrated fully into the implant body. Our doctors will help you decide what will work best during the initial healing period, ensuring you can function while still protecting your implants. This period usually lasts 3–6 months as the bone grows around the implant. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, especially compared to an extraction.
• Placement: Once the implant post has integrated sufficiently, we can place the crown. Similarly, if you have implant-supported dentures, this is the time you can try them out, too. We ensure the crown fits seamlessly into your smile before permanently affixing it to the implant post.

For most patients, the implant itself should last a lifetime. Once the post has fused to the jawbone, it can provide a stable anchor point for years. As for the crown or dentures affixed to it, they also will last for years. Our premium-quality crowns can last for up to 30 years (for certain materials). Implant-supported dentures can last for about 10 to 20 years.

In both cases, you can get the most out of your new teeth with excellent oral hygiene and dental care. That means daily brushing and flossing. Also, don’t skip your dental visits. Come by our office at least twice a year for a check-up to keep your oral health at its peak.

Even with all the benefits, the cost of dental implants is an important consideration. When your case brings together the latest imaging, advanced training, and modern materials, this service offers one of the best values in health care. Compared to the replacement of other parts of the body, most dental implant procedures can be done at a small fraction of those costs. Most patients carry on with normal activities right away and usually enjoy a lifetime of normal chewing, bite stability, and appearance. We know the cost of dental implants is an important part of creating a complete plan that works for you.

The cost of dental implant services involves several critical factors unique to each patient. A fee quoted without careful evaluation and treatment planning may not only be incomplete but doesn’t consider what’s best for your mouth as an individual. The doctor customizes your treatment plan after careful evaluation of your current oral conditions, needs, wants, and budget.

In some cases, insurance plans provide some coverage for dental implants. The amount reimbursed does vary, though. So, we recommend contacting your insurance provider ahead of time to see about your plan’s details.

To determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants, your dentist will evaluate three main points.

• Your general health and your body’s capacity to heal after the procedure.  Conditions such as autoimmune diseases and diabetes may hinder regeneration and make implant placement risky or undesirable.
• Active tooth decay or gum disease must be treated or sufficiently controlled before implant surgery.
• The density of your jawbone and its ability to support the implant: if bone density has decreased due to gum disease, aging, or long-term missing natural teeth, your doctor might recommend bone grafting to restore bone before dental implant surgery.

Dental implants are considered a superior method of restoration compared to dentures or bridges. An implant is inserted into the jawbone and fuses with it over time, allowing it to act like the roots of our natural teeth. As a result, an implant provides better stability and biting and chewing force than bridges or dentures. An implant also stimulates the jawbone in the same way as the roots of a natural tooth, thus preventing jawbone density loss and changes in the bite and facial structure. Dentures and bridges that sit above the gumline do not provide these benefits. 

However, dental implants might not be ideal for people with autoimmune conditions or severe oral health issues, such as gum disease, making bridges or dentures a better and safer option.

The initial recovery after a dental implant surgery takes about 2 weeks. During this period, you are likely to experience mild to moderate soreness, pain, swelling, and bruising. These symptoms are usually managed with over-the-counter solutions and gradually subside as the healing progresses. Also, in the first weeks after the surgery, you will have to switch to soft foods, avoid chewing on the procedure side of your mouth, and abstain from physical activities, smoking, and alcohol.

Over the next 4 to 6 months, your implant will continue to heal and gradually fuse with the jawbone, becoming stable. Once the implant is fully fused with the bone, the crown is attached to it, and it begins to function like your natural teeth.

When we are missing a natural tooth, the body stops sending nutrients to the area of the bone where the tooth used to be. As a result, a process called jawbone resorption, or jawbone density loss, occurs. Bone resorption often leads to changes in the alignment of your teeth and bite, as well as in your facial structure. A dental implant stimulates the jawbone similarly to the roots of your natural teeth and prevents bone resorption.

Dental implants have a very high success rate, but like any medical procedure, complications can occasionally occur. Implant failure may happen if the implant does not properly fuse with the jawbone, or if issues such as infection, smoking, teeth grinding, or poor oral hygiene place too much stress on the implant over time.

The good news is that most implant complications are preventable with proper planning, experienced care, and regular dental checkups. Maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco products, and following your dentist’s aftercare instructions can significantly improve the long-term success of your dental implant.