Dental Implants
Comprehensive and personalized general dentistry services in Sherman Oaks, CA
Modern, Long-Term Tooth Replacement
By now, you have probably heard about dental implants. But did you know they are the only tooth replacements that can last a lifetime? Or that implants look, feel, and function the most like real teeth?
Dr. John Matchett offers dental implant restoration at our Sherman Oaks, CA, dental office to replace your missing teeth, restore comfortable chewing, and help you smile confidently again.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
A dental implant is a little titanium screw that acts as a replacement tooth root. The implant is placed surgically in your jawbone, and as it heals, it gradually fuses with the bone. When healing is complete, the implant is stable enough to support one or more missing teeth with an implant crown, bridge, or denture.
Why Should I Consider Dental Implants?
Losing one or more teeth affects how other teeth fit together and impacts your chewing comfort and ability. Tooth loss can also cause slurred speech and difficulty chewing certain foods.
Dental implants help alleviate these issues by replacing missing teeth to improve your chewing function. They also keep surrounding teeth in line and protect against further damage from misalignment or stress on remaining teeth.
Dental Implant Benefits
Dental implants are a great tooth replacement if you want a permanent solution for missing teeth. They offer many benefits over traditional dentures or bridgework, including:
Long-Term Tooth Replacement
Dental implants look and feel like real teeth and can last a lifetime! They don’t require special care other than consistent brushing and flossing and preventive services like exams and teeth cleanings—just like your natural teeth.
Looks Like Your Real Teeth
Dr. Matchett considers your unique smile when creating realistic-looking replacement teeth to restore your implant. He works with top custom dental labs that use high-quality materials to fabricate your restorations to our exacting standards to ensure they blend seamlessly with your smile.
Prevents Further Bone Loss
After tooth loss, bone in the area starts to deteriorate, with a 25 percent loss in the first year alone. This decline in bone mass continues year after year and causes neighboring teeth to loosen and even lead to further tooth loss.
Replacing the missing tooth root with a dental implant allows the bone to regenerate as if the natural root was still there.
Steps Involved with Getting Implants
Dr. Matchett coordinates with highly-respected specialists who take x-rays and 3-D scans to determine if you have sufficient bone mass to place the implant. If not, you may be a candidate for a bone grafting procedure, and we will be happy to explain what that entails.
Next, the specialist places the titanium implant in your jaw, followed by a 3–6 month healing period. During this time, a natural process called osseointegration occurs, where the jawbone grows around the implant to stabilize it. The next step is to attach a piece to the implant called an abutment that secures your replacement tooth to the implant.
Dr. Matchett designs your implant crown, bridge, or denture to complete your smile and restore comfortable chewing. He offers several variations for single and multiple tooth replacements at our Sherman Oaks dental office and will work with you to determine the most suitable option.
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
Implants can be life-transforming, especially if you have lived with long-term tooth loss. Dr. Matchett would be pleased to meet you to discuss your tooth replacement needs and what’s involved with dental implants.
Please call our Sherman Oaks, CA, dental office to schedule an appointment to get started.
