Dental Implants Specialist In Los Angeles
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are fixtures that act as a new root for your new tooth replacements. They are made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that is widely used in the medical field. They can be used to support a single tooth, a bridge, or a denture. Teeth placed on dental implants look and feel natural and restore proper oral function.
Drawbacks & Disadvantages To Dentures
Prior to the advent of dental implants, dentures and bridges were used to replace teeth. Dentures and bridges provided patients a great means for replacing teeth but had many flaws. Dentures need to be replaced very often and require a great deal of upkeep. Modern Dental implants address the many drawbacks to these earlier methods of tooth replacement:Dentures are removable false teeth. Once considered as a standard method for replacing teeth, dentures are often paired with the use of dental implants for enhanced stabilization. Before the advent of dental implants, patients battled dentures that were loose or ill-fitting. This adversely affected their ability to chew. In addition, dentures could accelerate loss of jaw bone.
Dental bridges were used to replace a smaller segment of missing teeth. Dental bridges were favored because they were fixed in the mouth. The drawback is the requirement to carve teeth adjacent to the space of missing teeth in order to install the bridge. And if not designed well, dental bridges can be an obstacle for proper oral hygiene. A common reason for failure is recurrent cavities on the teeth holding the bridge as a result of the patient being unable to properly brush or floss.
The lifespan of dental implants is potentially a lifetime. Dental Implants remain in your mouth and can be used to anchor single teeth, a bridge or dentures. Dental implant-based restorations are not prone to cavities, they preserve your bone, and allow maximum chewing function.
Advantages Of Dental Implants Compared To Dentures
Dental implants are a perfect viable option for patients seeking a more permanent means of replacing missing teeth through periodontics. In the past, tooth replacement options have been limited to bridges and dentures which come with many risks and drawbacks. The various advantages for dental implants include:
Improved Appearance
Dental implants, unlike dentures, look and function more like natural teeth. Partial dentures will often not match the color of natural teeth. Additionally, Dr. Kao ensures the acrylic matches each individual patient's gums correctly. Dental implants do not require acrylic and are custom designed to match each patient's individual teeth for a perfect fit. Dental implants will provide you with the confidence knowing your smile looks better than ever with both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Durability
Dental implants are personally tailored for patients to be strong and durable for upwards of 20 years if properly cared for. Dentures are very fragile and prone to breaking. On the other hand, dental implants are sturdier with a strong base similar to real, natural teeth.
Improved Health
You can clean your dental implants just like you would with real teeth with brushing and flossing. Unlike dentures, dental implants do not need to be removed to in order to clean. Also, dental implants do not require that your natural teeth be reduced or ground down. Dental implants are placed in the jawbone which provides a strong base and eliminates the need of natural teeth to be used as support for missing tooth replacements. Additionally, dental implants protect and preserve your existing teeth by preventing them from shifting and moving out of their natural position.
Easier & Tastier Eating:
Dentures are notoriously difficult to eat with. They require a great deal of practice and learning with in order to properly and comfortably eat while wearing them. Dentures shift and slide quite often which makes eating extremely difficult and can cause food particles to become trapped beneath the dentures. Trapped food particles can worsen your oral health and increase the risk of periodontal disease. In addition to eating being a nuisance, the taste of your food can also be affected with dentures. If you have dentures along the upper set of your teeth they can block the taste buds on the roof of your mouth. On the contrary, when you eat with dental implants you are not hindered, food cannot become trapped beneath the implants, and they do not block the thousands of taste buds on the roof of your mouth which allows you to experience the full taste of your food. Furthermore, dentures restrict the ability for you to enjoy a healthy balanced diet because they limit the types of food you can eat.
Improved Speech & Self Esteem:
Dentures tend to slide around in the mouth which can make speaking and eating difficult. Learning to speak with dentures is uncomfortable and can take months to adapt. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worries of your teeth slipping or sliding as they are much more stable than dentures as they are inserted into the jawbone. You can have confidence when speaking or eating in public without worry of dentures slipping when you have dental implants. Moreover, dentures can boost your self-esteem by ensuring your teeth look, feel and perform just like natural healthy teeth.
Dr. Kao's 5 Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are fused directly into the jawbone creating a strong and stable base for the custom created teeth to be placed upon. Dentures, bridges and artificial teeth will not slip or shift when paired with the dental implant technology. Dr. David Kao implements a 5 step dental implant process, providing his patients with a new healthy set of teeth.
Step 1. Oral Exam:
Dr. Kao begins the process of dental implants with an oral exam on his patients. The exam allows the doctor to better understand your oral health, personal concerns, and medical precautions.Step 2. Dental Implant Treatment Planning:
Dr. Kao will create a custom dental implant treatment plan for each individual patient in order to ensure the best possible results specifically tailored for them.Step 3. Dental Implant Site Preparation:
The dental implant site is prepared. This is done to ensure proper placement of your dental implant(s) and to provide the best possible results.Step 4. Dental Implant Placement
Dr. Kao will place the dental implants on the previously prepared locations. It is imperative to properly place the implants for optimal dental function with precision.
Step 5. Dental Implant Completion
In the final step the dental implant process is properly completed and monitored for lasting health and confidence.
Our practice specializes in restoring your dental health and function. During your first visit, Dr. Kao will personally discuss your specific concerns. Our patients complete a health questionnaire that not only covers your health history, but also provides us with a complete understanding of what you want to accomplish and a complete understanding of any fears you may have so we can make sure that your dental treatment is an amazing experience.
Please call our friendly staff at (213) 481-2699 to schedule your appointment for dental implants in Los Angeles, California.
Dental Implant Referral
To make the referral process as easy as possible, we have developed a patient referral form that provides all necessary information to treat your patient based on your direction on one page.
REQUEST REFERRAL PACKAGETo become a referring dentist, simply call our office at (213) 481-2699. We will schedule a personal introduction with Dr. Kao at your convenience. If one of your patients has an urgent dental need, we can schedule an appointment today.
Los Angeles Dental Implants Services
Single Tooth Replacement
Single tooth implants are perfect for patients missing one tooth or several teeth in various areas of the mouth. A single tooth implant is inserted by Dr. Kao who will surgically place an opening in the jawbone. Once an opening is prepared a dental crown made to look and feel like natural teeth is placed upon the implant.
Multiple Teeth Replacement
Multiple teeth implants are perfect for consecutive missing teeth. Cylindrical "screws" are placed into the gums and jawbone and allowed time to bond with your jaw. Replacement teeth or bridges are custom created and fitted for your mouth. These custom replacements are built to look, feel and function like real teeth and are placed upon the screws.
Full Arch Restoration Dental Implants
A full arch replacement and restoration is a perfect tooth replacement alternative for patients missing all of their teeth. Prior to the introduction of dental implants there was no permanent solution for missing all teeth. A full arch restoration is a permanent solution to replacing teeth that takes a custom made fixed bridge and places it upon dental implant anchors inserted into the jawbone. Once completed the full arch restoration implants look and function just like real teeth unlike dentures which can shift when eating and talking.
Teeth In A Day Dental Implants
Teeth in a day implants are a revolutionary tooth replacement method that offers patients brand new teeth implants in just one day.
All On 4 Dental Implants
All on 4 implants are a cost effective and graftless solution used to provide patients a full set of new teeth on the same day of the surgery. All on 4 implants takes a custom set of teeth and places them upon four screws inserted into the jawbone.
Additional Dental Implant Services:
- Dental Implant Replacement
- Bone Grafting For Implant Site Preparation
- Treatment Of Gum Disease Around Existing Implants
- Denture Stabilization
- Dental Extractions
As a periodontist based in downtown LA, Dr. Kao is an expert in placing dental implants and in optimizing the biology of the supporting structures of dental implants, the gum and bone. If you are looking for dental implants in the greater Los Angeles area, Dr. Kao's qualification and attention to detail provide lasting dental excellence.
Choose Dr. Kao For Your Dental Implant Needs
Losing a tooth, or multiple teeth, can be very traumatic and alter the way you live out your everyday activities. Eating, drinking, and talking can all become difficult tasks. If you are looking into dental implants in Los Angeles, top rated periodontist Dr. Kao is perfect for you. Call our office at (213) 481-2699 to schedule a consultation.
