Dental Implants in Santa Clarita

Lasting Solutions for Missing Teeth

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option modern dentistry has to offer. Implants offer long-lasting results and help to preserve the bone that supports the teeth, which can deteriorate after tooth loss. Pure Dentistry Children & Adults provides dental implants in Santa Clarita to replace one or more missing teeth.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

An implant is a small titanium post that is used to replace the root of a missing tooth. The implant is placed in the jawbone in a surgical procedure. After the area has healed and the implant used to the jawbone, a crown is placed over the implant to replace a missing tooth.

There must be sufficient bone to hold implants in place. Unfortunately, tooth loss often causes deterioration of the bone. Bone grafting can be used to provide the anchor needed to hold teeth in place. There are several types of bone grafting material used to prepare for dental implants. We can discuss the options and help you determine the procedure that is best for you.

How Painful Are Dental Implants?

Because getting a dental implant requires surgery, unlike bridges and dentures, it's not uncommon to wonder about the pain level of the procedure. Because installation requires your dentist to cut into your gums, they will first numb the area with local anesthetic. You should not feel any discomfort as they make an incision to expose your jawbone.

Once the area is more accessible, a hole is drilled for the implant. While this might seem scary, it's important to remember that your jawbone doesn't have any nerves; therefore, you'll feel no pain. At most, you'll feel a slight bit of pressure in your mouth. The entire process should only take about an hour.

During the healing process, you should expect some tenderness around the site. You can take an over-the-counter pain medication to help alleviate this.

In the event that you are experiencing pain, it's important to contact us for a follow-up.

Caring for Dental Implants

The only ways implants can fail after they are successfully fused to the jawbone is due to excessive biting forces or poor oral hygiene. Your implants are a long-term investment, so you will want to take care of them. With proper care, your implants will last for many years.

The following practices will help ensure that your dental implants function properly:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day, with a toothbrush that has soft bristles
• Flossing daily and using a small interdental brush to help clean hard-to-reach areas of your mouth
• Using a dentist-recommended toothpaste
• Limit your intake of foods that could potentially damage your dental implants, such as hard candy, chips, or nuts
• Talk to a professional at Pure Dentistry Children & Adults if you find that you grind your teeth often