Dental Implant Specialist
For starters, what is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that anchors a replacement tooth. It is secured inside the bone of the jaw, in contrast to most other replacement tooth options, which rest above the gums.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Dental implants address the common problems of tooth loss – the awkwardness and discomfort associated with smiling, eating, and speaking – without causing stress on the remaining teeth or compromising the natural look and movement as dentures and bridgework often do.
Many of my Beverly Hills patients find dental implants preferable because they can replace teeth individually or as a full arch in ways that allow for complete integration into the natural architecture of the mouth. When placed by a dentist or periodontist with skill and an eye for aesthetics, dental implants allow for noticeably stronger and more naturally attractive, artificial teeth than you could achieve by other means.
In many cases a patient’s artificial teeth are often indistinguishable from the natural ones. That kind of natural look is very important because your smile and self-confidence are both subtle details, but they have a strong influence on how people see you.
Not all dentists offer dental implants. What qualifies a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist to perform the procedure effectively?
Having years of experience performing this specific procedure is very important, and I believe a periodontist has the specialized training that makes a difference in the quality of results that a patient can achieve. Dental implant surgeons have to address the underlying tissue and bone structures, so experience alone may not be enough. Periodontists deal specifically with those support structures of the teeth.
Dental implants require meticulous planning because patient needs are so different. A good dentist will have the experience to balance effective planning with techniques that speed surgery and recovery times. Aesthetic sensitivity is also key. The teeth need to match up with the overall appearance of the face, and not look artificial or obviously fake.
Any Los Angeles cosmetic dentist offering "discount" procedures should be avoided – anyone who can offer you an estimate without first seeing your teeth is not going to address your case on an individual basis. You need your implants to function well for years to come, so there is no reason to settle for substandard care.
What kind of person is usually interested in this procedure?
I have seen people from many different backgrounds who can benefit from dental implants. Healthy women and men who find that tooth loss is impeding their ability to eat, smile, or speak comfortably are ideal patients.
Women tend to be more self-conscious about their smile, but I see both men and women who want to benefit from a more attractive smile. In fact, some of my patients have come from overseas just for this procedure. Patients may need to prepare their teeth before the dental implant process, particularly if they are thinking of laser tooth whitening. Many dental implant candidates have never had a tooth replaced, but a number of others are turning to dental implants because they are having problems with dentures or a bridge.
How do dental implants compare to dentures or bridges?
Dentures and bridgework only partially solve the problem of tooth loss, because while they mimic the look of teeth, structurally they fail to preserve the full range of tooth functionality.
Bridgework often requires a dentist in Beverly Hills to change the shape of nearby teeth, which can compromise their integrity and functionality. Dentures and bridges are not anchored in the bone of the jaw, so the tissues that are supposed to be supporting the tooth are no longer necessary and start to erode, putting added stress on the rest of the teeth. Dental implants solve that problem because they function almost identically to actual tooth roots, without adding strain to the rest of the mouth. They don’t contain blood vessels, but otherwise they imitate normal roots in structure and strength.
Tell us a bit about the procedure; what kind of time commitment are we talking about?
I mentioned that dental implants can address a range of tooth replacement needs, so you can see that the length of the procedure depends on many factors including the extent of correction and a dentist’s proficiency performing implant surgery. In the hands of a qualified periodontist or dentist in Beverly Hills, the procedure begins with the implant being anchored into the bone. With the implant firmly in place, I add a temporary crown and send a detailed set of measurements to a dental lab so they can construct the permanent tooth. The patient returns a few weeks later and the permanent crown is added.
Are the implants permanent?
Only in rare cases have I had to revise an implant, and the majority of the time this is due to trauma to the jaw or exceptionally poor implant maintenance. Dental implants are very durable and should last decades with proper care. They require care and attention just as normal teeth do. If you fail to practice good oral hygiene, you may experience complications that require implant replacement. But for the vast majority of my patients, dental implants are a lasting solution to the problem of missing teeth.
What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t live in Los Angeles but is considering dental implants?
I mentioned that at my practice in Beverly Hills, dental implant surgery is performed for people in the Los Angeles area as well as for people in other parts of the country and international patients as well. I offer a Fly-In Dentistry program that is a popular choice for people who are having a hard time finding a dental health professional near them who offers quality implant dentistry.
In fact, many dentists offer an online or "virtual" consultation to help people determine if they are a candidate for a dental implant procedure without setting foot in the dentist’s office. Patients can email pictures and their dental history or records and I can offer them some preliminary advice and recommendations for improving their smile. The office staff then can help arrange travel and hotel accommodations.
Regardless of where a patient lives, if they are missing teeth they should learn more about the many benefits dental implants can offer.
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A cosmetic dentist may choose to specialize in one or two particular disciplines, such as laser periodontal therapy or implant dentistry, in order to perfect a skill that is highly complex and in very high demand for patients.
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There have been many new developments in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Dental implants are an easy way of replacing a missing tooth or a broken tooth.
Dr. Alex Farnoosh
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