Questions About Dental Implants
Serving Irvine, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel, Santa Margarita, and Surrounding Areas
I’m really tired of dentures. Are there any other options available?
There are a variety of options available to replace missing teeth. If you’ve lost several or all of your teeth, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you, provided you have enough healthy jaw bone to support the implant. One of the benefits of dental implants is that they last a lifetime.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants permanently replace missing teeth. There are a variety of implants available, and each depends on things like how much jaw bone is available and the width of your jaw. Basically, implants are surgically screwed into your jaw, and once the procedure is complete, they’ll look and feel like your natural teeth. The benefit of implants are that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, so they’re more effective in preserving the structure of your original teeth. Implants also help prevent osseointegration, a condition that weakens the jaw due to the missing tooth root.
How are implants placed?
Implant placement is surgical in nature, so the procedure is done under anesthesia. Once Dr. Huefner administers the anesthesia, he’ll expose your jawbone in order to prepare it for the surgical implant. How many incisions needed will depend on how many implants you need. Once your implants are set, your gums will be stitched closed. It’ll take about three to six months for your jaw to heal, but once that is complete, you’ll be fitted with a crown, which is made of a composite material, and looks and feels as natural as your own teeth.
Is the procedure painful?
At Sensational Smiles, we know your comfort is important. Implanting a new tooth is a surgical operation, done under anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain. We make every effort to ensure the most pain-free experience possible, before, during, and after surgery through our sedation dentistry. If visiting the dentist is an anxiety provoking experience for you, we provide a sedative for you to take before the procedure. We can also prescribe pain medication to get you through the healing process.
How do I know if dental implants are right for me?
At your first complementary visit to Sensational Smiles, Dr. Huefner will review your dental history, establish your goals and expectations, and discuss all the options available for you. He’ll make sure you have the perfect plan in place that leads to a beautiful, healthy smile. The confidence you’ll achieve from your new smile is well worth it.
To learn more about dental implants and to set up your complementary visit, please contact the office of Norman F. Huefner, DMD, today.
