When our patients are faced with a situation in which they will likely lose one or more of their teeth, it is probably time to make a decision regarding dental implants. For many years, dentures were the only option available to people facing tooth loss. Still, recent improvements in technology have made it possible to permanently install false teeth into a person’s mouth, eliminating the need for dentures. 

Unsurprisingly, many of our patients have many questions about dental implants. While our dentist, Dr. Neal Edwards, will take the time to make sure that all his patient’s questions are answered, there are several questions that he and his team are commonly asked. In fact, many patients will simply ask us to explain dental implants to them. 

Implant Procedure

Understandably, we get a lot of questions about how implants are actually placed in the mouth. While Dr. Edwards can review the specifics with you, the procedure usually starts by removing the damaged tooth or teeth entirely. Don’t worry; this is done under anesthesia or sedation.

Once the damaged tooth is removed, the jawbone is inspected for signs of damage. For patients with healthy bone, a small surgical pin is drilled into the bone. This pin will be anchored to the bone with a small cap above the gums. A false tooth is then attached to this pin. 

In the event that multiple teeth need to be replaced, 2-4 implants are implanted into the bone to anchor the bridge or dentures. In some cases, however, the jawbone is too badly deteriorated to fix an implant to restore the lost tooth. Our dentist will talk you through several different treatment options in these cases. Bone grafting may be an option for some patients. 

The result is that once everything heals, it appears to any outside observer that your mouth has its natural teeth. Dental implants are permanent.

Implant Aftercare 

Dr. Edwards will advise each patient on the specifics of post-surgical aftercare. After the mouth is completely healed, however, a patient will care for their implants the same way they care for their other teeth. Implants can and should be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth.

If you’re looking for a dentist that provides teeth implants Riverside, California residents have come to trust, call our office at (951) 614-0033. Dr. Neal Edwards and his team at Neal Edwards DDS have years of experience helping patients who want dental implants. Whether you’re facing tooth loss for the first time or simply looking to replace your dentures with a more permanent solution, we can help you.

Share this Article