Dental Implants

Dental implants are simply the most advanced technology available today to replace a missing tooth.

Traditionally, losing a tooth meant you needed a bridge. That involved reshaping teeth on either side of the space to place crowns on them as an anchor for the artificial tooth. A bridge also carries the risk of recurrent decay and gum disease, and can loosen over time. An implant is a stand-alone restoration that does not require damage to the healthy, adjacent teeth. It looks and functions just like a natural tooth and can last a lifetime with only good, regular oral hygiene.

A dental implant is a titanium replica of the root of the missing tooth. It is surgically placed into the jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning that your body will readily accept it (very few people have allergies or reject it).

Once the implant has healed and integrated firmly into the bone, a post or abutment is attached. We take impressions of the post and the teeth around it, and design a crown to fit perfectly into the space. The crown is cemented to the post, and the result is a tooth that looks and chews just like your own teeth. The titanium root cannot decay, so your risk of future replacement is minimized.

Most patients who have lost a tooth due to decay or trauma can consider an implant. We evaluate your bone density, and address any existing problems with oral hygiene or smoking to ensure a good outcome. Many people believe that a dental implant is a painful procedure. However, with advances in the technology and technique it is now a relatively comfortable process.

The benefits of this revolution in dentistry far outweigh the risks. Dr. Khorsandi at Zen Dental has been placing implant restorations for more than seven years, with a success rate of over 95 percent.