04
Oct
Healthy Dental Implants: A Strong Foundation for a Beautiful Smile
At some point, most people will lose a tooth. Tooth loss can occur because of accidents or injury, but more commonly, people will begin to lose teeth as they age. This is often the result of decay. This can still happen even if you practice excellent oral hygiene at home. Fortunately, modern dentistry has an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth: healthy dental implants at Del Mar Family Dentistry.
How Dental Implants Work
A dental implant is designed to replace one missing tooth. Implants consist of three components: a titanium screw, an abutment, and a crown. The titanium bas fixture is placed in your jaw in a surgical procedure. Atop the implant, the abutment is placed. The abutment emerges over the gum line. A porcelain crown that is designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth is then attached to the top of the abutment.
The Dental Implant Process
The process for dental implants follows five primary steps.
- Consultation and examination: The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to ensure your oral health is solid. If there is any decay or gum disease, the team will work with you to clear these up before beginning the implant process.Â
- Pre-implant procedures: In some cases, other procedures will need to take place before getting a tooth implant. For example, the dentist may need to place a bone graft if you don’t have sufficient bone mass in your jaw. If any teeth need to be extracted, that will also be done at this time.
- Installation of the implant: The dentist will place the titanium screw directly into your jawbone. This screw will serve as the prosthetic “root” for your new tooth.Â
- Healing and fusion: The screw has to go through a process called osseointegration, where it completely fuses with the bone and becomes a part of the jaw. During this time, the implant will need between four and six months to heal.Â
- Abutment and crown placement: Once the implant has healed and fused, you’ll return to the office to have your abutment and porcelain crown placed. At this time, your implant process is complete.Â
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A Lifetime of Smiles
For most individuals, dental implants will last for the rest of their lives. In some cases, an implant may need adjustments, but it rarely needs to be replaced.
A Cavity-Free Tooth
Dental implants are made with titanium and porcelain, and these materials don’t decay. This means you’ll never have to worry about getting a cavity or tooth decay in your new implant tooth. Be sure to continue practicing good oral care to ensure your remaining natural teeth and gums stay healthy.
Your Source for Healthy Dental Implants in Solana Beach, California
Are you ready to replace a missing tooth? Or perhaps you’re missing multiple teeth and need a bridge or implant-supported dentures. Either way, Dr. Fitzpatrick, Dr. Trudeau, and the team at Del Mar Family Dentistry in Solana Beach, California, are here to work with you toward restoring teeth functionality and your smile. Call our office today at (858) 360-3102 to schedule your consultation. You can also use our online form to request an appointment.Â
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Dr. Dale Trudeau
Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick
Dr. Nikko Johnson
Dr. Erik Balinghasay
Del Mar Family Dentistry is served by four experienced and talented physicians: Drs. Dale Trudeau, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Nikko Johnson, and Erik Balinghasay.
Dr. Dale Trudeau has served the community of Del Mar and Solana Beach since 1984. He is a graduate and former instructor at USC School of Dentistry and has completed many hours of advanced training in restorative, cosmetic, implant dentistry, and Invisalign. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS), and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Trudeau is active in the community and volunteers at many local charities and youth organizations.
Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego and Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry. He is a Research Associate at PLNU, YMCA, and Foundation for Worldwide Health, along with being a member of the ADA, CDA, Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and SDCDS. Dr. Fitzpatrick has a passion to provide sustainable dental services to underserved communities both locally and globally. In 2013 he founded Cura Coffee Company to help fund the non-profit work of Cura Smiles. This non-profit has been able to build a dental clinic in the diverse community of City Heights, San Diego to help serve the underserved in their dental needs.
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Dr. Nikko Johnson is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. After completing her dental residency, she practiced as a general dentist in Oklahoma and North Carolina before obtaining her Master of Science in Periodontology from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. Among her competencies are prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and treatment modalities with advanced oral plastic surgeries. She has had the honor of providing dental care to veterans for many years.
Dr. Erik Balinghasay is a graduate of the University of California San Diego(UCSD) and University of California Los Angeles(UCLA), School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from UCLA, he pursued advanced speciality training in Endodontics, the dental specialty related to root canals, at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a Board-Certified Endodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.