Implant Dentistry

Are they a good fit for you?

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only implant dentistry options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Dr. Kim expalins to Corona dental patients how surgically placed implants below the gums over a series of appointments integrate to the bone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Implants offer stability so they won’t slip or shift in your mouth – an especially important benefit when eating or speaking. They also feel more natural because the implants integrate into your jaw. And many people feel the secure fit of implant supported dentures or bridges more comfortable than their conventional substitutes.

Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. To maintain the implants, patients must be in overall good health and committed to keeping their new smile healthy with meticulous oral hygiene.

The placement process may take many months to complete, can involve more than one dentist and can be costly. Some people, though, feel the investment is worthwhile and find dental implants to be the next best thing to their natural smile.

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Types of Implant Dentistry Offered

Single Tooth Replacement

If you’re missing a single tooth or know you’ll lose a tooth for whatever reason, a single implant may be the best option for you. In fact, sometimes we can remove a tooth and then place the implant in immediately at the same appointment. And if needed, many times a temporary tooth can be placed at the end of the appointment. Of course, many factors determine whether this immediate placement and temporization is possible but Riverside dental implants expert Dr. Kim will be able to tell you if you’re a candidate for this technique.

Multiple Teeth Replacement

Two or more implants can be used to support a porcelain fused to metal bridge to replace multiple missing teeth. These implant supported bridges can be very strong, and very comfortable. When you don’t have enough natural teeth or the ones that are there are too weak to support a traditional bridge, implants may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Implant Overdenture

For Corona clients already in full dentures, a few implants can greatly improve the quality of life. Many clients are afraid to eat out in public for fear that their dentures may fly off while eating or speaking. Self confidence disappears for many people due to the embarrassing complications from loose and ill fitting dentures. Implants can be used to secure existing or new dentures so they will no longer shift or move while speaking or eating. For those on a more limited budget, mini implants can sometimes be used to secure full dentures. While not as strong as conventional implants, their lower cost gives an alternative treatment choice.

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Fixed Full Arch Replacement

With more implants, a fixed porcelain over metal bridge can be fixed into place. These restorations can not be removed by the client and give the maximum level of stability and function. While they are much more involved and complex, they allow a person who can not or does not want to wear full dentures.

Bone Grafting

With many of the implant procedures, sometimes grafting is necessary to help improve the bone quality in an implant placement site. Sometimes grafting may be done at implant placement but often times it must be done several months before. The graft material can come from several sources such as purified cadaver bone, bovine (cow) sources, and synthetic materials.

Teeth in an Hour

This technique utilizes CT technology with advanced Procera software to allow a person to receive their implants and their “teeth” in the same appointment. Dr. Kim can plan the virtual surgery ahead of time and with computer planning, fabricate the patient’s new teeth even before the surgery! Contact us to see if you’re a candidate for this amazing technique. Would you like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kim to determine if implants are a good fit for you? Contact the Inland Empire implant dentistry practice of Dr. Tony Kim today!