Dental Implants

Congratulations on your decision to have dental implants.

Dental implants today have a proven success rate. If you have lost any of your teeth, or wear any types of denture, dental implants may offer many benefits. You will be able to eat easily, comfortably and confidently. You will notice an improvement in your appearance. And you will no longer be inconvenienced by loose-fitting dentures.

Dental implants can improve the way you look and feel about yourself.

Dental implants are small titanium fixtures that are placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw. The implants bond with the bone and act as an anchor for replacement teeth. Think of them as tooth roots .

Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. Several options are available to restore your lost teeth; our team will discuss these with you in detail.

Patients who have chosen implant supported teeth report that they are happy and comfortable for the first time since
the loss of their original teeth.

 

Your diagnosis for dental implant treatment will include x-rays, study models, measurements, a clinical exam and an evaluation of your medical conditions, as well as consultations between Dr. Fuentes and your general dentist. It is necessary to be as thorough as possible in this initial planning phase to increase our chances of long term success and satisfaction.

Together with you and your family dentist, we will determine which type of restoration is best for you. Options include crowns for single tooth replacements, fixed bridges for multiple missing teeth and securely retained dentures. Each option will be carefully evaluated for your individual case.

Surgical Phase

Dental implant restorations are completed in two phases. The first (surgical) phase involves, the placement of the implant or implants in your jaw.

Dr. Fuentes and our implant team will explain to you what the implant placement surgery involves and provide you with instructions and medications required. The implants are generally placed in a simple in-office procedure, utilizing local anesthetic (Lidocaine) with or without IV sedation.

Since the implants are placed into the bone, we sometimes will need to "build up" the bone using various augmentation techniques. At times, these need to be done several months before implant placement. At other times, they can be done along with the implant placement.

The fit of the implants is very precise. Once they are in place, they are covered by your gum tissue for a 4-6 month healing period. During this time, the implant will bond to the bone permanently.

Since the jaw bones have only a small number of nerves, the placement procedure will cause you only minor discomfort and you should heal quickly. We will arrange for you to be comfortable throughout the waiting period. You can even wear your own dentures or partials until your treatment is completed.

It is important to avoid "loading" your implants too early, so adjustments to your dentures are often needed. In addition, maintenance of a soft diet is critical to proper healing.

Restorative Phase

The second ( restorative) phase involves constructing the finished replacement tooth or teeth (the prosthesis). When the healing phase is complete, we will uncover the top of the dental implants in a quick and simple procedure. We will then refer you to your general dentist who will restore your teeth.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live!
With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and
confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

Dr. Fuentes has received extensive training in Implantology. He has been successfully placing implants since 1990. Through continuing education, Dr. Fuentes is abreast of the most current information on implant dentistry.

Evaluation

If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your doctor will address your specific needs and considerations. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

We will also discuss fees and insurance at this time. There are many types of insurance plans, and coverage for implants is varied. We will be happy to assist you in obtaining any benefits to which you may be entitled.

Procedures

Dental implants are metal anchors that act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. Small posts are attached to the implant to provide stable anchors in the gums for replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. Healing time following surgery varies from person to person, based on a variety of factors that include hardness of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed.

For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Fuentes will uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. After two weeks your general dentist will be able to start making your new teeth. An impression must be taken. Then posts or attachments can be connected to the implants. The teeth replacements are then made over the posts or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.

Teeth in an hour

TEETH-IN-AN-HOUR™ is a revolutionary concept providing patients with fully functioning teeth on dental implants in one single procedure that lasts about an hour. This technology was recently developed by Nobel Biocare, and allows for collaboration between both the restorative doctor and the surgeon. This merging of knowledge and experience achieves not only increased safety, but also a more precise implant placement. In addition, the fabrication of a final prosthesis is completed prior to the surgery. The computer-guided implant surgery is done in an arthroscopic fashion without requiring any flap reflection. This benefits the patient being that there is less post operative discomfort, less swelling and less bruising. Often, patients can resume their normal activities the next day.

The process starts when a CAT scan is taken of the patient"s jawbone. This CAT scan allows for the generation of a 3-D model of the jawbone, which can then be used in virtual reality software to plan the implant placement without the presence of the patient. The results are more accurate implant placement, and less chair time for the patient at the surgery office.

301 W. Huntington #507 Arcadia, Ca 91007

phone: 626.447.0945