What Are Dental Implants? Claremont, CA

Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement. They act as artificial tooth roots to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental implants typically have three components that make them feel, function, and look like natural teeth: the post, abutment, and restoration. Claremont Dental Institute, located in Claremont, CA, offers many types of dental implants for patients missing one, multiple, or all of their teeth.

Our dental team has advanced training in implant dentistry. They use the latest techniques, technology, and materials to ensure implant success for every patient. We want to ensure your comfort and increase your confidence in your smile with our implant treatment.

Why You Should Choose Claremont Dental Institute for Implants

Our team of implant dentists provides a comfortable and stress-free experience for all of our patients. We know that visiting the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience for some. We go above and beyond to create a calm, inviting space for our patients.

Our implant dentists also use the latest technology to ensure the best possible results. We stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in dental technology to provide you with the most precise and efficient care. Our team takes detailed digital X-rays and accurate impressions to ensure a natural fit every time. Whether you need a single tooth implant or a full mouth restoration, we can help.

Our dentists are highly trained and experienced in all aspects of implant dentistry. They have completed hours of continued education to stay on top of developments in implant dentistry.

Before we consider implants, we will review your medical history, dental history, and current health concerns. We will ensure you are the best candidate for dental implants before we begin treatment. If needed, we will recommend tooth extraction, bone grafting, gum disease treatment. Once you have enough healthy jaw bone and are in good oral health, we can begin the implant process.

Our team will also find the right type of implant restoration to suit your needs. All our restorations use tooth-colored materials to match your desired tooth shade or match remaining natural teeth. We work with dental labs to create implant restorations made for you.

3 Parts of a Dental Implant Restoration

dental implant for single missing tooth in ClaremontDental implants typically have 3 separate parts: the implant post, the abutment, and the prosthesis. Learning about these parts will help you understand what implants are and how they work.

Implant Post or Fixture

We place the implant post into the jaw bone. This titanium post replaces the missing teeth root. The human body accepts this type of metal without issue. A titanium fixture is light yet durable enough to support a dental prosthesis.

After the surgical phase, the osseointegration process begins. The bone cells attach to the implant post fixture to create a strong bond. Claremont Dental Institute also provides implants made of zirconia ceramic. This is a great option for someone with a metal allergy or translucent or receding gums. A zirconia ceramic fixture is all-white and as durable as a titanium fixture.

We can use many different sizes of fixtures. A standard dental implant is about 3.4 mm to 4.2 mm in diameter. We use them on the front/middle part of the jaw because they are skinnier. The back of the mouth primarily uses a wide platform implant, on either side of the jaw. They range from 4.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter.

There are also different methods for placing the implant fixtures. A two-stage implant requires two surgeries. First, we place the implant in the jaw bone. We suture the gums shut to fully cover it during the healing period. During the second surgery, a small incision exposes the top of the implant fixture so that we can attach an abutment.

As dental implant technology progresses, the single-stage method is becoming more popular. It provides a shorter treatment time since there is only one surgery appointment. During this appointment, we surgically place the dental implant and attach the abutment simultaneously.

A second surgery is unnecessary because we attach the abutment and restoration when the implant area heals and integrates with the jaw bone. A zirconia ceramic dental implant fixture is a single-stage implant.

The Dental Implant Abutment

An abutment is a tiny metal piece that we connect to the implant post. It typically takes three to six months for the fixture to heal and fuse with the jaw bone. After that, we need another minor surgery to uncover the implant and screw or cement the abutment to the fixture. Sometimes, we place a healing abutment on the implant, so a second surgery is unnecessary.

Here, we will replace the healing abutment with a permanent one. It will sit at the gum line and support the dental prosthesis. A zirconia ceramic restoration is one piece, meaning the post and abutment are also one.

The Final Prosthesis

The dental prosthesis, or restoration, is the last part that we connect to the abutment. This part will resemble and function like a real tooth or teeth. The type of restoration you need depends on the location and the number of missing teeth we are replacing.

We will use a dental crown if you are missing only one tooth. For multiple missing teeth, our dentist will recommend a dental bridge or partial denture. If you are missing all your teeth, our dentist will attach a custom-made denture to the abutments.

We provide dental restorations that match the color of your teeth and blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. Our office works with dental labs to ensure a custom look.

Our Dental Implant Services

To learn more about your dental implant options at Claremont Dental Institute, see:

Get Durable Dental Implants

Restore your smile with comfortable implant treatment. Call Claremont Dental Institute for your implant consultation today at (909) 277-6919. You may also schedule a dental appointment on our website.

If you have questions about implant treatment, please let us know. We are here to help.