Replace Missing Teeth

It's not uncommon to lose an adult tooth at some point in your life. Whether due to injury, decay, or gum disease, a missing tooth can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile. At YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, we understand the impact a missing tooth can have on your quality of life. That's why we offer dental implants as a permanent and natural-looking solution to restore your smile.

Dental implants are composed of three main components: a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jaw bone, an abutment that connects the post to the crown, and a custom-made dental crown that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. This comprehensive design replicates the appearance and function of a natural tooth, allowing you to smile, speak, and eat with confidence. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants provide a stable and permanent solution, eliminating concerns about slippage or discomfort. With dental implants, you can rediscover the joy of a complete and healthy smile that you'll be proud to share with the world.

Why Should I Get a Dental Implant?

The impact of missing teeth extends beyond aesthetics, affecting your oral health and overall well-being. When a tooth is lost, the underlying jaw bone lacks the stimulation it needs to stay healthy, leading to bone loss and potential facial sagging. This bone loss can also cause adjacent teeth to shift, compromising your bite and creating further dental issues.

Fortunately, bone grafts offer a solution to rebuild lost bone and create a solid foundation for dental implants. By stimulating bone growth in the jaw, bone grafts make it possible to place implants successfully, even when significant bone loss has occurred. This not only restores your smile but also promotes healthy gums and reduces the risk of periodontal disease.

For those missing multiple or all of their teeth, full-mouth restoration with dental implants can be a life-changing option. This comprehensive procedure uses strategically placed implants to support a fixed denture, restoring the complete look and function of your smile. With full-mouth restoration, you can regain the confidence to eat, speak, and smile naturally, enjoying a renewed quality of life.

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

When placed by a skilled maxillofacial surgeon, dental implants function and feel like natural teeth. They also help preserve jaw bone health, prevent facial sagging, and offer exceptional durability for long-term success.

1. Easy to Care For 

Dental implants are permanent and do not come out or need to be removed, unlike dentures. Simply brush and floss your dental implant like real teeth to keep it clean and healthy. 

2. Lasting Results 

The post fuses with your jaw bone, making the implant a permanent part of your smile. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants stay in your mouth when you eat and brush your teeth, eliminating stress and inconvenience. 

3. Improve Your Health 

A dental implant is the only tooth replacement option that maintains the integrity of the jaw. Having a post to stimulate the jaw bone prevents it from deteriorating.

4. Regain Confidence 

With dental implant surgery, you can live without feeling the need to hide your smile or avoid eating your favorite foods. Prosthetic teeth look so natural, most people can’t even distinguish them from natural teeth.

What are the Types of Dental Implants?

When replacing a missing tooth or teeth, there are several types of implants to choose from. After thorough analysis, we will create a treatment plan to address your unique oral health concerns. 

Single Implants: This targeted approach replaces a single missing tooth with one dental implant. You can repeat this procedure throughout your mouth as necessary. 

Implant-Supported Bridge: When several teeth in a row are missing, an implant-supported bridge can provide a great foundation for prosthetics and protect adjacent teeth. This is a convenient alternative to traditional bridges, which require neighboring teeth to be altered for the proper fit.  

Immediate Implants: In some circumstances, we can reduce the amount of necessary surgeries by placing an implant post into the empty socket immediately after extraction. 

Full-Mouth Restoration: Dental implants can support permanent dentures in one or both arches of teeth, resulting in a brand new, fully functioning smile. The results are life-changing and allow you to live with a completely new smile while the dental implants act as tooth roots to keep the jaw healthy.

Our implant dentistry experts will help you pick the right implant for the best outcome possible. 

What is the Difference Between Zygomatic and Pterygoid Dental Implants?

For patients with significant bone loss in the upper jaw, zygomatic and pterygoid implants offer innovative solutions for securing dentures or bridges when traditional implants may not be feasible. These specialized techniques provide new possibilities for restoring your smile and oral function, even in severe cases.

What are Zygomatic Implants?

Zygomatic implants provide a unique solution when significant bone loss in the upper jaw makes traditional implants a challenge. These longer implants anchor directly into the sturdy cheekbone, bypassing the need for extensive bone grafting procedures. 

This approach offers many benefits for those with bone loss:

• Shorter treatment time: Enjoy a faster treatment process, as these implants often eliminate the need for bone grafts, which make traditional implant procedures take months longer.
• Avoid implant failures: Even with significant bone loss, these implants demonstrate a high rate of successful implants, minimizing concerns about implant failure.
• Increased stability: They provide excellent stability and support for dental prostheses, even in cases of severe bone loss.
• Improved aesthetics: Restore your teeth, enhance your facial structure, and improve the appearance of your smile.
• Enhanced quality of life: Eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
• Immediate loading: In some cases, zygomatic implants allow for immediate loading of a prosthesis, meaning patients can leave the dental office with a new set of teeth on the same day of surgery.

What are Pterygoid Implants?

Pterygoid implants are anchored in the pterygoid bone located behind the upper jaw. They are generally shorter in length and are often used in combination with traditional implants or when zygomatic implants are not suitable.

While less common than other implant types, pterygoid implants offer distinct advantages:

• Less Invasive: The surgical procedure is typically less invasive, requiring a smaller incision.
• Alternative to Bone Grafts: In some cases, they can help you avoid bone grafts in the upper jaw, simplifying treatment.
• Suitable for Limited Space: They are a viable option when space is limited in the upper jaw due to large sinus cavities or thin bone.
• Combination with Other Implants: Pterygoid implants can be combined with traditional implants for added support and stability.
• High Success Rates: Studies indicate high success rates comparable to traditional implants.
• Shorter Implants: The use of shorter implants can reduce the risk of complications and simplify the surgical process.

Deciding between zygomatic and pterygoid implants is a personalized process that takes several factors into account:

• Extent of bone loss: Zygomatic implants are often the preferred choice for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw, as they anchor securely into the cheekbone.
• Anatomy of the jaw: The unique shape and density of your jaw bone plays a crucial role in determining which implant type is most suitable.
• Surgeon's experience: Zygomatic implant placement requires specialized training and expertise, so choosing an experienced oral surgeon is essential.
• Patient preferences: Some patients may prefer a less invasive procedure like pterygoid implants, even if it means a potentially longer treatment time.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Your oral surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your situation and discuss your options to recommend the most appropriate implant type for you.

The Dental Implant Procedure

On the day of your surgery, we'll ensure your comfort by administering the chosen form of anesthesia to help you relax and minimize any discomfort. Dr. Jun will then make a small incision in your gum tissue to place the titanium implant post carefully. Sutures will be used to close the incision as needed. Over the next few months, the implant will gradually fuse with your jaw bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for your new tooth.

Once the implant site is fully healed, the abutment—a small connector piece—will be attached. Your final step involves returning to Dr. Jun to have your custom-made crown placed, completing the restoration and providing you with a natural-looking, fully functional tooth.

While the typical implant procedure follows this general timeline, the duration can vary if you require more procedures, such as extractions or bone graft. Rest assured, we will thoroughly discuss your personalized treatment plan during your consultation, addressing any questions or concerns you may have. At YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, our goal is to improve your oral health in the most comfortable and supportive way possible. Our dedicated staff is always available to answer your questions and guide you through every step of your surgical journey.

Cost and Value of Dental Implants

Understanding the cost of your tooth replacement options is an important part of the decision-making process. Several factors can influence the overall cost of your treatment, including the number of teeth being replaced, your insurance coverage, the need for additional procedures like extractions or bone grafts, and your choice of anesthesia. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved, so you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

While dental implants may have a higher upfront cost compared to other options like dentures or bridges, they offer significant long-term benefits that make them a worthwhile investment. Implants boast a remarkable success rate and, with proper care, can last a lifetime. They look and feel just like natural teeth, providing unparalleled comfort and stability.

In contrast, removable dentures often come with discomfort, require replacement every 5 years, and can lead to sores or difficulty eating. Similarly, removable bridges demand meticulous care and also need periodic replacement. While these options may seem cheaper initially, they can lead to more complex and costly procedures down the road to address issues like bone loss and compromised oral health.

Choosing dental implants provides a long-lasting, natural-looking solution that can protect your oral health for years to come. It's an investment in your confidence, your well-being, and the longevity of your smile.

Restore Your Smile in Huntington Beach, CA

YJ OMS Dental Implants & Oral Surgery is the premier dental provider for restoring missing teeth in Huntington Beach, California. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jun and his highly skilled staff.