Sean Rhee, DDS - California
A New Reason To Smile With Dental Implants
What Are Dental Implants?
The Implant Process
To ensure that the full process runs smoothly, a patient must follow a certain protocol on their journey to receive dental implants. As part of our process in California, we consider how an implant might help the patient, as well as what pretreatment requirements might be required in order to ensure a successful outcome. This process is as follows:
Starting with a consultation between the patient and doctor, the journey towards a new smile begins. A consultation offers the opportunity to ask questions and develop a plan that addresses the specific needs of the patient.
If it is discovered that the patient requires treatment, this must first be completed. Problems like gum disease, poor bone density, untreated injuries, or severely decayed teeth are all treatable and this step must be taken to ensure the patient is in the best condition prior to placement surgery.
After determining the mouth is healthy enough, the placement procedure will take place. The doctor first creates a small incision above the implant placement area. Through this opening, a titanium post will be inserted and anchored to the jawbone. The incision site will then be closed and left to heal for between three and six months.
After having enough time to integrate with the supporting bone structure, the implant post should be stable enough to place an abutment. An abutment acts as the connecting piece between the implant post and dental crown, connecting the entire appliance together.
Based on the patient and doctor’s consultation, a customized crown is built to match the patient’s preference for color, size, and shape. Once the crown is cemented or screwed into place, the patient will enjoy a strong, healthy, and appealing smile for a lifetime.