Dental Implants

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a robust and stable foundation for artificial teeth. At Darren Gonzalez DDS, we place implants composed of a metal post directly into the jawbone and connect an artificial tooth to the metal post. Implants are typically made of titanium, which is biocompatible and doesn’t cause reactions in the body. This means you won’t need to worry about them moving while you eat or speak, and you won’t have to take them off every night before bed like traditional dentures. 

Single Tooth Implants

A dental implant is a tiny titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root. The post is placed in your jaw, and a crown, bridge, or denture is placed on top of it. Single-tooth implants, as the name suggests, replace a single tooth.

Dental implants are a fixture of synthetic teeth affixed to the implant post to replace one or more missing teeth. Because the prosthetic teeth are permanently fixed to the implant root, they function just like your natural teeth. You can brush and floss them just as you normally do with your own teeth.

The crown of the dental implant is custom-made to look just like your other teeth. Since the artificial tooth is anchored in the jaw bone, it’s incredibly strong and can remain in place for a lifetime with proper care. You should care for your new smile just like you care for your natural teeth, including daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups and cleanings.

The Dental Implant Procedure

After determining that you’re a candidate for dental implants, Dr. Gonzalez will perform the dental implant procedure. Dr. Gonzalez will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine your bone level and oral health. Then, he can create a treatment plan customized to your needs.

Before placing the implants, Dr. Gonzalez will place any needed bone grafts. Once those have healed and fused to the jaw, you can begin the dental implant procedure. This involves creating small incisions in the gums and gently placing the implants into the jaw. It’s normal to experience some bleeding during this process, but it should stop within a few hours following the procedure. You may need to take some medications or over-the-counter painkillers to manage the discomfort after the surgery. It’s also common to have some bruising and minor swelling as well. Dr. Gonzalez may recommend a soft diet for the first few days following treatment.