Replacing Missing Teeth? The Power of Dental Implants in Los Angeles

For individuals in Los Angeles who are missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer a powerful and long-term solution that can restore both the function and appearance of their smile. Dental implants are small, biocompatible titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone to act as artificial tooth roots. Once healed, these implants provide a stable foundation for attaching replacement teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

The benefits of dental implants are numerous and significant

They restore your ability to chew properly and comfortably , improve your cosmetic appearance by filling in gaps in your smile , and help prevent the jawbone from shrinking, a common issue after tooth loss. Implants also preserve the health of the surrounding bone and gums and help keep adjacent teeth stable, preventing them from shifting. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a very long-term solution.

They can also enhance your smile and overall confidence , improve your speech which can be affected by missing teeth, and maintain your natural bite force, allowing you to eat a wider variety of foods. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are a permanent part of your mouth and are easy to care for, just like natural teeth.  

The dental implant procedure is a multi-stage process.

It begins with a comprehensive dental exam, which may include X-rays and 3D imaging, along with a review of your medical history to develop a personalized treatment plan. In some cases, if your jawbone lacks sufficient density, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary to provide a solid foundation for the implant.

The next step involves the surgical placement of the titanium implant post into your jawbone. This is typically done under local anaesthesia, and sedation options are available for anxious patients. After the implant is placed, there is a healing period called osseointegration, which can take several months, during which your jawbone fuses directly with the implant.

Once the implant has fully integrated, a small connector post called an abutment is attached to the implant . Finally, the custom-made artificial tooth, which could be a crown (for a single missing tooth), a bridge (for multiple missing teeth), or a denture (for replacing all teeth in an arch), is attached to the abutment.

The cost of a single dental implant in Los Angeles

Price typically can range from approximately $2,100 to $4,500, including the implant post, abutment, and crown. The total cost can vary depending on factors such as the need for bone grafting ), the type of materials used ), and the number of implants required.

Replacing all teeth with full mouth dental implants can cost significantly more, potentially ranging from $13,900 to upwards of $50,000 depending on the chosen treatment plan.

Dental implants boast a high success rate, typically between 90% and 98%, and with proper care, they can last for many years, even a lifetime. The process of osseointegration, where the implant fuses with the jawbone , is key to their stability, longevity, and ability to prevent bone loss, making them a superior long-term solution for replacing missing teeth.

The increasing demand for dental implants reflects a growing understanding of their numerous benefits and their ability to provide a natural-looking and functional tooth replacement option.

~GM