Dental Implants Specialist

The Dental Center of Hercules

Lovely C. Manlapaz Teodoro, DDS

Cosmetic, Implant, and General Dentistry located in Hercules, CA

Millions of Americans are missing at least one tooth. This can lead to embarrassment or atrophy of your jaw bone which can change the shape of your face. At The Dental Center of Hercules in California, Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro, DDS, can help ensure you don’t experience the consequences of having missing teeth with dental implants. The implants look, function, and feel like natural teeth. To learn more about dental implants, call the office or schedule your appointment online.

205-964-5743

Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dr. Teodoro at The Dental Center of Hercules may recommend a dental implant if you’re missing one or more teeth. She implants an artificial tooth root into your jaw bone and attaches a ceramic crown to it, which is now your new tooth.

There are many benefits to dental implants, including:

Preserve a good facial appearance
Function and look the same as natural teeth
Allow you to chew and speak easier

An important aspect implants offer you is the ability to retain your jaw bone density. When you lose a tooth and don’t fill the gap, your jaw bone begins to atrophy to the point that your facial structure can change.

What can I expect while getting dental implants?

The first step in receiving a dental implant is to have a consultation with Dr. Teodoro and her staff to evaluate your teeth, take X-rays, and determine if there’s enough jaw bone available for your implant. If it’s determined there’s not enough bone, a bone grafting procedure may need to take place prior to the implant surgery.

Dr. Teodoro can either numb your treatment site or provide nitrous sedation to make sure you’re comfortable throughout the dental implant surgery. Then she makes a tiny incision in your gum tissue and exposes your jaw bone to insert the dental implant. She then stitches up the incision.

The next stage involves your dental implant growing into and attaching itself to your jaw bone, so it provides a concrete foundation for your new artificial tooth, called a crown. This process can take several months.

Once your jaw bone and implant permanently attach, you’ll come back to The Dental Center of Hercules where Dr. Teodoro places an abutment or crown on your dental implant. She finishes by cementing your new tooth onto the abutment.

What can I expect after receiving my dental implant?

If you take proper care of your dental implant, it can last a lifetime. Dr. Teodoro recommends you treat your new implant the same as your natural teeth. Make sure to practice good oral hygiene and visit The Dental Center of Hercules at least twice a year for a dental exam and cleaning. Additionally, avoid habits that may damage your new crown such as smoking, grinding your teeth, or chewing on hard candy.

Receiving an implant is considered a surgery, so you may experience minor bleeding, pain, or swelling at the treatment site. These symptoms should subside within a few days after your surgery.

If you’re missing teeth and would like to restore your smile with dental implants, call Dr. Teodoro at The Dental Center of Hercules today or book your appointment online.