Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

A dental implant replaces an entire tooth, starting at the root, when a tooth is missing or has become so damaged that it can’t be saved. A metal post, similar to a screw, is placed directly into your jawbone and capped with an artificial tooth. Dentists typically do this over multiple visits, but Dr. Carrillo can often offer a complete dental implant placement in just one visit, depending on your circumstances.

Dental implants are extremely durable, but they can turn discolored over time without proper care, or they can break in extreme circumstances, so Dr. Carrillo also offers both restoration and replacement of dental implants.

How do I know if dental implants are right for me?

Dental implants are slightly more complicated to install than crowns and bridges, so they’re often used when a tooth is damaged too severely or is in a position that makes these solutions unrealistic. However, dental implants are also one of the most durable treatment options if you have broken or missing teeth, as their sturdy titanium construction and secure positioning in the jawbone ensure your implant won’t break, slip or shift within your mouth.

Dental implants can be placed anywhere in your mouth as long as your jawbone is strong and thick enough to support them. If you’re lacking ample jawbone support, Dr. Carrillo can offer bone grafting, a technique that uses natural or synthetic materials to support your jawbone.

Many dentists who offer dental implants can’t offer bone grafting, severely limiting the number of patients whom they can effectively treat with the procedure.

What happens during dental implant surgery?

The first step of dental implant surgery is to remove the damaged tooth, if necessary. If the tooth is broken, this may involve removing any remaining pieces or extracting the root of the tooth. Once the space is cleared, Dr. Carrillo examines the jawbone where the implant will be placed to make sure it can support the force of your bite. If it isn’t, Dr. Carrillo conducts a bone graft to strengthen the area.

Dr. Carrillo then places the titanium replacement root into the jawbone, where the bone will heal around it, securing it into place. He places an abutment on top of it to hold the artificial tooth. Artificial teeth can be removable, and snap into place on the abutment, or they can be sealed to the abutment and stay fixed at all times.

If you’re interested in having an implant placed or restored, call the office today or make an appointment online.