Implant Dentist Hawthorne, CA
At Christine Phan, DMD, we are an implant dentist office that can replace your missing teeth in a way that looks entirely natural and beautiful. If you have experienced adult tooth loss, we encourage you to call (310) 675-4929 and schedule an appointment with our Hawthorne, CA dental office to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. In the meantime, here are some questions that are commonly asked about dental implants.
Why are implants better than dentures or dental bridges?
As an implant dentist, we can replace both the root and tooth. When you use dentures or a dental bridge to replace teeth, they only replace the visible portion of the tooth. While an effective way to restore your smile and ability to eat and speak, this does not provide the level of stimulation that your jawbone needs to prevent resorption. Your root and tooth stimulate your jawbone every time that you bite down and chew. This informs the body that your jaw is serving its purpose by supporting your teeth. Without teeth, your body will begin to leach calcium from your jawbone to distribute to other areas of the body. The loss of bone density can give you a sunken appearance and make you appear far older than you actually are. By placing dental implants in our dental office, we can restore your lost tooth while preserving your jawbone and facial appearance at the same time. No other solution is as effective at doing so.
What we do as an implant dentist
As an implant dentist, we replace teeth on a regular basis using a surgical procedure. To determine if you qualify for implant surgery, we need to examine your gums and take X-rays to find out if you have enough bone density for the procedure. If you do not, we can discuss other options like mini dental implants or the All-on-4 procedure which are also implanted, but the metal posts are smaller.
Regardless of which procedure is right for you, we can do everything in our power to give you replacement teeth that look natural, beautiful and function like your natural teeth once did. With implants, you can continue to eat all of your favorite foods, speak clearly, and have a confident smile, free from the worry that your teeth could fall out.
Check out what others are saying about our implant dental services on Yelp: Implant Dentist Hawthorne
Hawthorne Implant Dentist
Our qualifications as an implant dentist
While most general dentists provide some options for tooth replacement, only an implant dentist can replace both your tooth and your root. This is a surgical procedure where a titanium post is implanted under your gums and secured to your jawbone. The bone and metal will eventually fuse together through the process of osseointegration creating a strong and durable new root system that the tooth can be secured to. Since this is done surgically, it is important that you visit a dentist that has received additional training on how to complete the procedure quickly and efficiently. This will ensure that you do not spend longer than necessary in the dental chair and that you can recover quickly. Otherwise, your recovery process could be unnecessarily prolonged due to a lack of experience by the dentist completing your procedure. While there is no standardized training or accreditation program for an implant dentist, we have completed additional courses in addition to graduating from dental school. Also, the number of dental implants that are placed by an cosmetic dentist are significantly higher than the number of procedures performed by a traditional family dentist. As with any surgery, the more often a dentist completes the procedure, the faster and more accurate they will be at doing so. For this reason, if you live in Hawthorne, CA or the surrounding area, we invite you to call 310-675-4929 and schedule an appointment for a consultation. During your appointment, we can answer your questions and provide you with more information regarding the number of procedures we perform and the additional training that we have received.
The procedures we perform
As an implant dentist, we have several types of implant procedures that we perform. The one that we recommend will be based on the density of your jawbone.
Traditional Dental Implants
To qualify for this procedure, you need to have sufficient density in your jawbone, which makes it necessary to visit us quickly after tooth loss. We begin by sedating you, to help you remain comfortable and not feel anything. Very often, we put patients to sleep because it can take several hours to place all of the implants. This is a surgical procedure where we insert a titanium post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone in the place where each missing tooth was. The titanium post creates a new root that the tooth will eventually be secured to. The process of osseointegration should take place first to ensure that the new tooth has maximum stability. Since it can take a couple of months to complete the procedure, many of our patients will wear a temporary denture to give them a somewhat natural looking smile until the new tooth is secured to the implant. After the surgery, you will need to be careful with what you eat for a few days since your gums will be sore. Once the process has been completed, you will be able to eat all of your favorite foods without restriction. As an implant dentist, we can provide you with the sturdiest and most durable tooth replacement solution available today.
All-on-4
At Christine Phan, DMD, our team offers the All-on-4 procedure for patients that do not qualify for traditional dental implants or those that are looking for a faster solution to tooth loss. This procedure can be completed in two appointments. The first appointment is to take an impression of your mouth and to take measurements so that a new set of teeth can be created. The teeth will look natural and beautiful while being attached to synthetic gums, similar to how dentures are created. The difference is that this set of teeth snaps in place, secured to a set of four implants. When you come in for the second appointment, the four implants are placed, and the new set of teeth are secured to them. You can leave with a full set of natural looking teeth that are incredibly durable. If you live in the Hawthorne, CA area, we invite you to call 310-675-4929 and learn more about this procedure. For those looking for a fast solution to tooth loss, this is a fantastic option that will remain in place when you speak, eat and engage in high impact activities. To get started, visit our Hawthorne dental office today.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Are dental implants better than dentures or dental bridges?
Q. Do I qualify for dental implants?
Q. What are All-On-4® Implants?
People Also Ask
Q. How do I know if dental implants are right for me?
Q. What is the process for dental implants?
Q. Will I be able to eat my favorite foods after receiving dental implants?
Definition of Dental Terminology
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
- Decay
- Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
- Dental Caries
- Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
- Dental Checkup
- A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
- Dental Filling
- A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
- Dental Prophylaxis
- A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
- Dental Sealants
- Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
- Dentist
- A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
- Gingivitis
- Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
- Preventive Dentistry
- Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
- Tartar
- Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
- Tooth Enamel
- Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
Back to top of Implant Dentist
Recent Posts
Can Dental Implants Support A Dental Bridge?
Looking for information on dental implants? If you have suffered significant tooth loss, but not enough to need a complete arch replacement, you can get a dental bridge supported by dental implants. Implant-supported bridges can provide a reliable, functional, and long-term solution to tooth loss. Unlike traditional bridges or removable partial dentures, a dental implant-supported…
When Should A Child See A Family Dentist?
Most parents do not take their children to see a family dentist until they are well over two years of age. Dental professionals recommend that a child should visit the dentist within six months after teething starts. Baby teeth often start coming in from six months of age. Continue reading to learn more about children’s…
Are You A Candidate For Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a valuable solution for individuals with missing teeth, providing functional and aesthetic benefits. If you are considering dental bridges to restore your smile, you will need to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.Let us discuss the factors that determine whether a patient is a suitable candidate for…
How A Dental Crown Can Improve Your Smile
Getting a dental crown is a significant first step in improving your smile. However, you might wonder why you need the device. Repairing the spot soon will help to keep your teeth in good health. Plus, a crown can make your smile look better. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits.The patient often has…