Dental Implants in Long Beach CA

Dental implants are an innovative tooth replacement solution that offers numerous benefits compared to other options like removable dentures and dental bridges. Implants restore your smile with natural-looking replacement teeth, improve oral health, and enhance confidence and self-esteem.

At Golden Coast Dental Care, we understand the impact of missing teeth on your quality of life. Our dentists in Long Beach, CA, would love to meet with you to explain what implants are, how they work, and all their benefits. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are safe and reliable tooth replacements with a success rate of 95 percent over ten years. The implant is a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone, becoming replacement tooth roots.

Once the implant fuses with the jawbone, we attach an abutment that secures a custom-made replacement tooth, bridge, or denture to restore function and appearance. The result is a secure, stable, and natural-looking way to fill the gap left by tooth loss.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Here are some of the key benefits of dental implants

• Improved oral health — Without support, surrounding teeth can shift and move out of place. This can lead to bite problems, jaw pain, and further tooth loss. Replacing missing teeth also helps maintain oral health and prevent further dental issues.
• Long-term tooth replacement — Since implants become part of your natural dental anatomy, they can last for years and sometimes even a lifetime. Their longevity varies depending on the patient, but maintaining excellent oral health can help you get the most out of your implant.
• Smile aesthetics — Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This makes them great for replacing missing teeth and restoring a beautiful, confident smile.
• Jawbone health — When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in the area begins to deteriorate. Jawbone loss affects the stability of surrounding teeth and leads to a sunken appearance and facial changes. A dental implant stops further jawbone loss and helps support facial features to maintain a youthful appearance.
• Nutrition and diet — It’s difficult to chew properly when you have missing teeth, which can affect nutrition and the benefit of eating fresh, healthy foods. Replacing missing teeth with implants restores comfortable chewing and allows you to enjoy a healthy, balanced diet.

Getting a tooth implant is a multi-step process that takes several months to complete. It may seem daunting at first, but you can rely on our amazing dental team to make the process straightforward and stress-free.

First, our periodontist, Dr. Brock Lorenz, places the titanium post surgically in your jawbone. After placement, osseointegration occurs as the implant fuses with the jawbone.

When the implant integrates completely in 3–6 months, we design a custom tooth replacement that blends beautifully with your smile. For single-tooth replacement, we would use a dental crown; for multiple teeth, an implant bridge or denture is used. We can even perform full arch tooth replacement with All-on-4® implants.

Who Is a Good Dental Implant Candidate?

The requirements for getting a dental implant include good overall health and oral health. Poor gum health can compromise your implant or even cause it to fail, so you must be committed to maintaining excellent oral hygiene and routine teeth cleanings with our hygienists. 

Your jaw must also have sufficient bone mass to support the implant post. Dr. Lorenz will determine if you are an implant candidate by taking x-rays and 3-D cone beam scans.

Jawbone Loss and Bone Grafting

Jawbone loss occurs after tooth loss because there is no tooth root to stimulate bone regeneration. However, our periodontist offers bone grafting procedures to restore jawbone structure, making you a suitable candidate for dental implants.

We offer several types of bone grafting procedures, ensuring that we can find the best option for your specific needs.

Contact Us to Learn More about Dental Implants

Dental implants in Long Beach, CA, have proven to be a safe and reliable way to replace missing teeth. They are long-term tooth replacements that look, feel, and function like the real thing.

We would love to help you see if you’re a good dental implant candidate and invite you to contact Golden Coast Dental Care to schedule a consultation.