Transforming Smiles with Skilled Implant Dentistry
Whether your tooth loss is due to trauma, decay, advanced gum disease, or extraction, dental implants provide complete rejuvenation to an incomplete smile by replacing missing teeth and restoring jaw function and health. If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution to missing teeth, consider the implant dentistry services offered by skilled periodontist, Jeremy Factor, DDS.
Don’t let tooth loss compromise your comfort, confidence, and lasting oral health! Our San Diego implant specialist offers strategic dental implant placement and initial procedures to help increase your chances for successful treatment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
CALL US: 619-466-6666 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Are Dental Implants?
The primary part of a dental implant is the titanium post. Once surgically inserted into the jaw by our periodontist, this post serves as an artificial tooth root, replacing the essential functions of where healthy tooth roots once were.
The anatomy that makes up dental implants consist of three parts:
- The titanium post
- The abutment
- The affixed restoration
The titanium used for implants is accepted by the body in which living bone and tissues fuse around the post in a process known as osseointegration.
What Sets Implants Apart from Other Tooth Replacement Options?
Dental implants are unlike any other tooth replacement option available. What makes them so successful is that the titanium used for implants is completely biocompatible, meaning the living bone and tissues accept it and fuse around the implant in a process known as osseointegration.
This fusing process not only provides a secure, reliable, and long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth, but the implant posts restore essential stimulation to the jawbone, encouraging stability and strength once more.
The benefits of replacing missing teeth with dental implants don’t stop there. The advantages range from preserving natural facial features and improving digestion to restoring proper eating, speaking, and smiling with full confidence.
Why Would I Need Dental Implants?
The need for dental implant treatment varies. However, there are many reasons why teeth fall out, are missing, or need to be removed.
Common reasons include:
- Advanced periodontal (gum) disease
- Deep decay
- Trauma or injury
- Severe damage or infection
- Genetic conditions like ectodermal dysplasia
Why Choosing Dental Implant Treatment from a Periodontist Matters
Many individuals are unaware of what sets a periodontist apart from a general dentist, especially when it comes to dental implants.
A periodontist is an oral health specialist that’s received an additional three years of training beyond dental school. They utilize their extensive skill and knowledge, focusing on the gums, soft tissues, and dental structures of the mouth.
As a periodontist, this additional education allows Dr. Factor an in-depth knowledge of elaborate surgical procedures, like implant placement, and how to perform them effectively and skillfully.
What Can I Expect from the Dental Implant Process?
Treatment with dental implants is a multi-step process. Below are the common stages you can expect to undergo when receiving implants at our office.
Before we can schedule your implant surgery, a consultation with our periodontist is necessary to make sure implants are the ideal choice for your needs. Your consultation involves Dr. Factor performing a thorough examination of your oral health, as well as an evaluation of your medical history, including questions about any medications or prescriptions you’re taking. Digital and panoramic x-rays are also taken of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and facial structures.
After your oral health examination, our periodontist explains the different treatment options available. If dental implants are right for your needs, he’ll work closely with you to craft a customized treatment plan, keeping you in the know every step of the way.
Dr. Factor uses precise surgical guides to place your implants in the most ideal positions in the jaw. He also utilizes special tools to measure the right amount of force put on the posts during placement. These technologies allow us to place implants effectively, encouraging more successful healing.
Depending on the number of implants required for your needs and your unique facial structure, implants can replace a single tooth to an entire smile of missing teeth.
After placement, you’ll be given several months to heal and for osseointegration to take place. This fusing of natural bone and tissue growing around the implant is essential for holding your post(s) permanently in place.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
With any surgical procedure, you’re bound to experience some mild discomfort while healing. However, Dr. Factor is one of the few periodontists in San Diego that provides a customizable way to maximize your relaxation and comfort throughout treatment with IV sedation.
We’ll also provide you with the appropriate medications and expert tips along with knowledgeable instructions for proper aftercare, helping you lessen your chances of pain during recovery.
Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?
Ideal candidates for implant treatment should be in good oral and overall health, free of certain medical conditions and autoimmune complications that could disrupt gums and soft tissues from healing properly. Candidates should also have enough jawbone density to support implants successfully.
However, if during your examination, your jawbone is determined to be weak or “soft” due to prolonged tooth loss, you needn’t worry! As a specialist, Dr. Factor provides initial procedures such as bone and tissue grafting and sinus and ridge augmentations to increase your chances at successful implant treatment.
How Will Bone Grafts, Sinus Lifts, and Ridge Modifications Help Me?
At our San Diego office, our periodontist can perform the following preliminary procedures in possible preparation for dental implants:
Bone Grafting restores or regenerates bone material in the jaw when there isn’t enough volume and strength to support implants on its own.
Gum Tissue Grafting is a regenerative procedure used to correct the effects of gum recession, commonly due to advanced gum disease. Our periodontist takes healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and uses it to build the gum back up where it has receded.
Sinus lifts, also known as a sinus augmentation, involve adding bone below the sinuses when the natural bone is too thin or has weakened due to prolonged tooth loss in the upper jaw.
Ridge Modification involves bone graft material being added to a small ridge, or space, located along the top of your jaw.
How Will I Know What to Do Before Surgery?
We understand that oral surgery for dental implants can create feelings of anxiety, fear, and intimidation. This is why our periodontist and his team believe in taking the time to inform you about every aspect of your treatment.
We never want you leaving our office feeling confused or apprehensive about upcoming procedures, and we always encourage you to ask questions, express your concerns, and discuss your expectations with us.
In the weeks leading up to your surgery, Dr. Factor provides tips and recommendations, ensuring you’ve taken all the proactive preparations before your procedure. These initial steps should include meal prepping with soft, nutritional foods and smoothies, planning events accordingly, fasting four to twelve hours before surgery, and making yourself and your home comfortable.
5 Recovery Tips from Our Implant Expert!
It’s just as important to discuss with you what to do during recovery as it is informing you how to prepare. Along with prescribing the necessary medications and antibiotics for proper healing, Dr. Factor will also provide instructions and advice for successful recuperation.
Some of these tips include the following:
1. Take it Easy and Don’t Strain Yourself!
Surely after you’ve gotten some good rest after oral surgery, you’d love to do nothing more than get back to your daily routine. However, you must remember not to strain yourself and take it easy, even if that means adopting a lighter workout routine for the time being.
2. Monitor the Treated Area(s)
Mild swelling, discomfort, and bleeding are common after surgery. During the first 72 hours, continue to bite down firmly on the clean gauze we’ve provided and change it every hour. If symptoms progress or seem to worsen, contact us immediately.
3. Fuel Yourself with Nutrients
Remember to take any vitamins, minerals, and other supplements we recommend to you. With your mouth healing from oral surgery, your diet will be limited, so it’s vital you get proper nutrition with soft, healthy foods. Try making fresh smoothies as an easy way to get all your essentials during recovery!
4. Stay Diligent with Your Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is the key to healthy teeth, gums, and successful recovery. After the first 24 hours, you can resume regular brushing, taking extra care around the surgery site. We recommend gently rinsing your mouth every so often with mild salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water). DO NOT use any mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide rinses for at least two weeks.
5. Rest, Rest, and Rest Some More!
Last but not least, you must rest! You should dedicate three full days to nothing but resting and recovery. It may be okay to return to school/work on the fourth day, but only if you’re feeling up to it.
How Do I Take Care of My New Implants?
You may be surprised to learn that taking care of implants isn’t much different than taking care of a natural smile!
For successful results and ideal healing, you must practice a strong oral hygiene regimen before, during, and after implant placement. While our periodontist specializes in dental implants, he also specializes in teaching patients how to take care of their smiles for life!
Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing daily, rinsing your mouth with water after every meal, and swishing with an antiseptic mouthwash morning and night are the most basic and essential steps for keeping your smile healthy for years to come.
Let Us Rebuild Your Smile to Its Optimal Potential
When properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. Our San Diego periodontist believes every patient should experience healthy teeth and gums that deliver optimal function and overall quality of life, and he makes this possible through comprehensive dental implant treatment. Achieve the smile you deserve today! Contact Dr. Jeremy Factor and his team for an initial consultation!
CALL US: 619-466-6666 REQUEST APPOINTMENT