Dental Implants in Woodland Hills & Manhattan Beach

When you lose a tooth, we know how difficult it can be in day-to-day life. Simple things we take for granted, such as eating, speaking, and smiling, suddenly become more challenging with missing teeth, and it's a good idea to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible.

Of course, dental implants are the gold standard, and we offer a variety of dental implant options, including: 

• Single Dental Implants
• Implant-Supported Dentures (all-on-x)
• Implant-Supported Bridges 

The compassionate teams in our Woodland Hills and Manhattan Beach, CA, dental offices understand your frustration. The good news is that dental implants can restore your smile, protect your oral health, and improve your quality of life, whether you have one missing tooth or several. 

Dental Implant Options in Manhattan Beach and Woodland Hills to Meet Your Needs and Goals

Dental implants are titanium cylinders that support a dental crown or other restoration. They are designed to complete your smile and restore your chewing surface.

Because titanium is a biocompatible metal, it will integrate with your bone, creating a stable foundation for your restoration or prosthetic, and it can even support a fixed dental bridge or dentures.

• Single Dental Implants: This means one dental implant post capped with a single dental crown
• All-on-X: With this method, the dentist typically uses six or fewer dental implants to secure an entire arch of restoration teeth to the jaw. 
• Implant-Supported Bridge: We use an implant-supported bridge to replace missing teeth in succession. Sometimes, only one dental implant is needed to secure this prosthetic. 

The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to ensure you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you are, the next step is post placement, followed by several months of healing. During this period, the titanium bonds with your jawbone to create a solid root foundation for your natural-looking tooth restoration.

Dental implants can replace one tooth or multiple missing teeth. Because they mimic your natural teeth, they offer stability and provide several oral health benefits, making them one of the most reliable tooth replacement options.

When you lose a tooth, your supporting bone structure may begin to deteriorate through a process called resorption.

Teeth and bone have a dependent relationship—bone supports your tooth, and your tooth stimulates your bone. When that relationship is disrupted by tooth loss, your bone recedes because it is no longer needed. Bone loss can put your remaining teeth in jeopardy. They may tilt and shift as their foundation disappears. 

Dental implants help to protect that relationship by preserving bone and preventing resorption. Since they fill the gap in your smile, dental implants keep your remaining teeth from shifting and preserve your bite.

Additionally, dental implants guard against tooth migration (teeth shifting into smile gaps). They are also a lasting solution. Your implants can last for decades and sometimes for life!

So, the benefits of dental implants include: 

• Jawbone Support
• No Tooth Migration
• Lasting Tooth Replacement
• Restored Chewing Force
• Easy Maintenance

I Have Lost Several Teeth. Are Dental Implants Still for Me?

If you have multiple missing teeth, dental implants can provide added stability to your dental bridge or denture. By using two to six dental implants to support your appliance, you can enjoy added confidence and the health benefits they provide.

What to Expect: Do Dental Implants Hurt?

When discussing dental implants with patients, one of the first questions we often hear is, “Will it hurt?”

A dental implant placement procedure is usually painless. At the time of surgery, the surgical site is numbed thoroughly. There is no pain during the procedure, as it is managed with proper anesthesia.

There is rarely a need for prescription-strength pain relief with dental implant placement in our Woodland Hills, CA, or Manhattan Beach, CA, dental office.

If you've been thinking about replacing missing teeth with implants, don't let the fear of pain influence your decision. 

This is a question that often comes up when patients are deciding between a dental bridge and a dental implant. While a bridge will never last forever, dental implants can actually last a lifetime. There is one caveat, though. 

In a natural tooth, the gum is physically attached to the tooth with collagen fibers. This is very similar to how your nails are attached to your fingers. In healthy skin, these collagen fibers prevent the penetration of bugs and bacteria into deeper layers. They help protect the tooth and bone from decay. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings help keep this area healthy. 

In an implant, the collagen fibers in the gum cannot attach to the implant. The gums simply sit around the titanium abutment. This makes the implant and bone below more vulnerable to neglect than a natural tooth.

While dental implants are highly successful and reliable, maintaining good oral hygiene is critical for their long-term survival. This should always be in unison with regular dental checkups.

For Dental Implants in Woodland Hills or Manhattan Beach, Contact Us

Restore your smile with a lasting solution. To get started or if you have questions for our team, call us at (818) 886-1076 for our Woodland Hills team or (310) 640-0967 for Manhattan Beach residents.