Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth
Dental implants are changing the way people live!
People who have lost teeth regain the ability to eat and speak properly, while also smiling with confidence after having dental implants.
They also know that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.
What are dental implants?
The implants are titanium screws that are drilled down into the jawbone where teeth are missing. Overtime the bone bonds together with the titanium in a process called osseointegration, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
Dental implants are topped off with an abutment piece which holds an artificial tooth or dental crown in place.
The benefits of dental implants speak for themselves!
Dental implants are the most beneficial restorative treatment:
- Help preserve facial structure preventing the bone deterioration when teeth are missing.
- Help patients rediscover the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.
- Regain the ability to function normally as Dental Implants are the closest thing to natural teeth.
Are you suitable for dental implants?
The best way to find out is to organise a consultation with Dr. Curtis Couch. However, you must have the following:
- Healthy jawbone
- At least one missing tooth
- No health conditions which impact bone growth
- Free from gum disease
- Do not smoke tobacco
- Understand dental implants take months
The dental implant procedure:
The dental implant procedure begins with an initial consultation at Curtis Couch in Thousand Oaks, California, where our team will recommend if a dental implant is the right treatment for you.
Dental implant placement
The treatment begins with the placement of the dental implant. The dental implant is the titanium screw, which acts as the substitute for a natural tooth root.
Your gum will be cut back to expose the jaw bone, where a drill will make a hole, and the dental implant will be inserted.
Over the next six months, the osseointegration process will occur, where your jaw bone will grow to fuse together with the dental implant. The fusing is required to provide the strength and durability required to keep the dental implant in place.
You should be able to wear a temporary crown and eat a soft diet during this period.
Placement of the abutment
The next stage required is the placement of the abutment. The abutment is the connecting piece between the dental implant and artificial tooth or crown.
To place the abutment, your gum may need to be cut back to expose the dental implant. However, in some cases the abutment is placed at the same time of the dental implant, ultimately skipping this step.
Your gum will require two weeks healing once the abutment has been placed.
Placement of the artificial tooth or crown
Once your gum is healed, you are ready for your choice between a permanent artificial tooth or crown.
You can also choose out of a fixed or removable option, or a combination of the two.
The fixed artificial tooth will be cemented down, whereas the removable tooth will be able to be clipped off for cleaning.
The final result will be extremely similar, and indistinguishable to your original natural teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implant treatment provides many benefits to patients.
- Permanent solution
- Extremely strong & durable
- Looks completely natural
- Less discomfort
- Improves bite
- Improves speech
- Chew normally
- Treat just like a natural tooth
Dental implants can also be used to secure dentures and create full arch replacements
If you are missing more than one tooth or if you are missing an entire arch of teeth, Dr. Curtis Couch will discuss your options.
More often than not, dental implants will be involved in the solution one way or another as either the supports for an implant supported denture or the foundation of a permanent full arch replacement which will utilise a full arch dental bridge.
Get Dental implants in Thousand Oaks, California
At Curtis Couch, our team will go to great efforts to ensure that the shape and colour of your new implant crown will match your surrounding natural teeth. Once your implant has completely fused and healed, it will function as a natural tooth.
If you would like to ask any questions and book in for a consultation at Curtis Couch for dental implants, please contact us online or call on 805-497-8077 .
Call Us Today
If you have any questions or would like to book in, please call our team today. Dr. Curtis Couch and the team look forward to seeing you soon.