Dental implants: The new standard in tooth replacement option for San Francisco residents

Missing teeth compromise your smile, and your ability to eat and speak clearly. Roots of teeth also keep bone strong and healthy, for a fuller facial appearance. Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, restoring appearance and function, potentially for life. West Portal Family Dentistry offers placement and restoration of dental implants at their offices in San Francisco.

Implant basics

A dental implant is a small cylinder made of lightweight, yet extremely strong titanium. It is placed into the jawbone, replicating the root of a missing tooth. The body readily accepts this biocompatible material. The basic steps in the procedure are:

• Consultation and evaluation – Treatment doesn’t start until you and the dentist are comfortable with this treatment option.
• Careful planning –CT imaging provides a clear, three-dimensional view of your mouth. With that information, the dentist plans exact placement of the implant, and anticipates the need for bone grafting.
• Implant placement – A small incision is made in the gum, and a small hole is created in the jawbone. The implant is placed into this opening.
• Temporary tooth – – In many cases, the patient doesn’t leave our office without a tooth! We place a temporary restoration at the implant site.
• Healing – Over several months, bone fuses solidly with the implant.
• Restoration – When the timing is appropriate, the temporary crown is removed and impressions are taken. A final crown is fabricated.
• Finishing touches! – You return in about ten working days to have the final crown cemented in place, and polished to lustrous perfection.

Dental implants look, feel, and function so much like a natural tooth that most patients forget which one is the implant! With good oral hygiene – brushing after meals, flossing twice a day, and maintaining regular checkups and cleaning – dental implants can potentially last a lifetime. In San Francisco, call (415) 604-9292 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Terri Nguyen.

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