If you are interested in dental implants for tooth replacement, schedule an implant dentistry consultation with our dentists at our practice near Torrance and Long Beach, California.
Michael Fulbright, D.D.S.
1815 Via El Prado, Ste. 200
Redondo Beach, California 90277
Phone: (310) 593-2137
Fax: (310) 316.4475
Implant Dentistry – Torrance and Long Beach, California Areas
Patients with missing teeth no longer need to rely on bridges and dentures to replace their teeth. At the practice of Michael Fulbright, D.D.S., missing teeth can now be replaced seamlessly thanks to new advances in implant dentistry. The dentists at our office serving the greater Torrance and Long Beach, California area have helped many patients achieve a successful outcome with the use of dental implants.
- What is a Dental Implant?
- Benefits of Implant Dentistry
- Candidates for Implant Dentistry
- Placing a Dental Implant
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone where it works like an artificial tooth root. A natural-looking replacement tooth, typically made from porcelain, is then attached to the dental implant post. The result is an extremely natural-looking tooth replacement that functions much like natural teeth.
Benefits of Implant Dentistry
One of the main benefits of implant dentistry over other tooth replacement options is that they prevent the sunken look that is associated with missing teeth. Because the implants are placed in the jawbone, they help retain the fullness and contours of the face by retaining the supporting bone, much like a natural tooth root. In addition, dental implants look and function much more like natural teeth than do other types of replacement options. Unlike dental bridges which depend on surrounding teeth for support, dental implants stand alone without affecting other teeth.
Dental implants can also be cared for just like natural teeth. We can place one implant to replace a single missing tooth, or several dental implants to replace multiple teeth. In addition, we can use dental implants to stabilize a dental bridge or partial denture, as well as full sets of dentures.
Candidates for Dental Implants
We will begin the tooth replacement process with an implant dentistry consultation. The dentists at our practice near Torrance and Long Beach, California will examine your jaw and gums to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Age is not a barrier to implant dentistry; in fact, people of all ages are choosing dental implants for tooth replacement.
In general, you are a good candidate for implant dentistry if:
- You have enough healthy jawbone to support the implant.
- You do not have a disease or condition which interferes with proper healing after implant surgery, such as uncontrolled diabetes.
Individuals undergoing radiation/chemotherapy for cancer treatment are not good candidates for dental implants.
To find out if dental implants are the right tooth replacement option for you, contact the practice of Michael Fulbright, D.D.S., and schedule an implant dentistry consultation with our experienced dentists.
Placing a Dental Implant
If you are a good candidate for dental implants, we will schedule you for the surgical procedure to have the titanium implant placed in the jawbone. Once the posts have been placed, the success of implant dentistry depends on the body’s ability to heal.
During a three to six month healing period following the implantation procedure, the jawbone will fuse to the titanium implant, called osseointegration, forming a strong foundation for the replacement tooth. At this point, you will visit Dr. Michael Fulbright’s office so that the natural-looking artificial tooth can be attached to the implant post. Although the implant posts typically last a lifetime, the replacement teeth can become worn or damaged over time. Our dentists can remove old replacement teeth and replace them with new, natural-looking restorations.
Contact Our Implant Dentists for a Consultation
Dental implants offer our patients with missing teeth a natural-looking and functional replacement option which has no effect on surrounding teeth. If you are interested in dental implants for tooth replacement, schedule an implant dentistry consultation with one of our dentists. Our practice serves patients from Torrance, Long Beach, and throughout Southern California, giving them the next best thing to natural teeth.