Dental Implants — Larchmont Village, CA
A State-of-the-Art Tooth Replacement Solution
No one should have to struggle with a smile that isn’t complete. After all, not only is your oral health damaged by missing teeth, but so is your sense of self-confidence. At Geller Dentistry, we’re dedicated to providing precise, quality care that creates ideal results and exceeds your expectations. That’s why we’re happy to offer dental implants as a state-of-the-art tooth replacement option that promises patients satisfying health and aesthetic benefits. As one of fewer than 20 board-certified prosthodontists in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Benjamin Geller has the experience and training necessary to handle every part of your dental implant process, from placement to restoration and beyond. We also work with other dental specialists in the area including periodontists and oral surgeons if and when it may be necessary. We look forward to giving you a new reason to smile!
Why Choose Geller Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Advanced Dental Technology
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Practice
- Board-Certified Prosthodontist
What Are Dental Implants?
The secret behind the incredible success of dental implants is that they take dental restoration a step further than their traditional counterparts. While bridges and dentures can only replace the crown (the white, visible portion) of your tooth, implants replicate the root as well, which exists below the gum line. Its placement is vital, as the root of the tooth stimulates the jawbone and keeps it full and healthy; without it, deterioration begins to occur. This deterioration is why so many patients who’ve experienced severe tooth loss tend to have a sunken facial expression over time. Thankfully, dental implants can help you avoid these effects and maintain the gorgeous, healthy smile you deserve.
The Dental Implant Process
Once we’ve determined that you're a viable candidate for dental implants, your procedure will begin with the surgical placement of your new implants (the “roots”) into the appropriate sockets. Dr. Geller will handle this process personally, ensuring that everything goes as precisely and comfortably as possible. A period of healing will follow, during which your new implants will create a gradual bond with your jawbone, setting the stage for your new, custom-made restorations that are fabricated by our convenient on-site lab. Once you’re ready, you’ll return to our Los Angeles practice so that we can securely place your brand-new crown(s) or prosthetics. The final result is so beautifully seamless that you may even forget they’re not natural teeth after some time has passed!
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many valuable benefits associated with choosing dental implants and implant-retained prosthetics, including:
- They provide an exceptional level of permanence and security, sepcially when compared with the relative looseness of traditional dentures.
- They're a conservative treatment option, meaning that our team won't have to sacrifice the structure of any nearby healthy teeth to accommodate your new implants.
- No inconvenient changes to your diet or oral hygiene routine are required. Implants can be treated just like natural teeth!
- The success rate of implants is extremely high, and as long as they're cared for properly with regular checkups and diligent home care, they can last for the rest of your life.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
At first glance, choosing to replace your missing teeth with dental implants can seem like a large expense, but it actually is a wise long-term investment in your smile. While traditional dentures and bridges need to be replaced at a minimum every seven to ten years, dental implants can last for multiple decades, potentially saving you money in the long run. To more fully understand what goes into the cost of dental implants, keep reading the information below, or contact our team and schedule an appointment!
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
In order to be successful, some patients first require gum disease therapy or a bone graft before we attempt to place implants. In that case, we know experienced periodontists and other specialists who can help prepare you for implant placement. In most cases, Dr. Geller can handle the entire process in our Los Angeles office. As a board-certified prosthodontist, he has been highly trained in every facet of the implant process.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The foundation of a strong implant replacement tooth is the post. In many cases, it looks like a screw, but this titanium post serves as the new tooth’s root. It is biocompatible, and it promotes new jawbone growth, just like a natural tooth. Once the post has fully integrated with the bone, we can then place the small abutment piece, which connects the post to the restoration.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Insurance coverage can vary widely from plan to plan. In general, the restorations involved in the process are covered in part by insurance, but typically, the implant placement portion is not. However, if you require preliminary work, such as gum disease therapy or another procedure, it may be included in your benefits. Prior to beginning your treatment, we will take a close look at your insurance plan and explain exactly what you can expect from your dental insurance plan.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Here at Geller Dentistry, we are proud to be in-network with most PPO dental plans. Our skilled team knows and understands the ins and outs of dental insurance and can help you maximize the coverage you have available. Before you move forward with implants, we’ll review your plan and explain the services that are included in your coverage. As a result, you can clearly know what you’ll be responsible for paying from the beginning.
Dental Implant Technology
Placing implants is a precise art, and one that Dr. Geller is committed to handling as perfectly as possible. That’s why Dr. Geller uses the revolutionary cone beam technology. With the help of this state-of-the-art machinery, we can capture focused and detailed images of your affected tooth or teeth. In 3D and color, the images reveal any nerves, bone, arteries, or other issues that could potentially affect your implant placement, thus helping us plan your surgery with detail and accuracy.
Dental Implant FAQs
As the most beneficial way by far to replace missing teeth, dental implants in Hancock Park have exploded in popularity recently. Because of this, more and more patients may have heard rumors or misinformation about them online. To clear things up and help you make a well-informed decision regarding your smile, we’ve answered some of the dental implant questions we get asked the most often here at Geller Dentistry.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Whether you’re missing just one tooth or a whole mouthful, dental implants may be just the treatment you need to enjoy the benefits of a full smile again. Most people with some degree of tooth loss would make good candidates for dental implants.
Some patients, however, may have to undergo preliminary procedures beforehand. For example, a lot of patients require a bone graft to ensure the jawbone is strong enough to accommodate implants. Others might need tooth extractions or gum disease therapy first. To determine whether dental implants are right for you, you’ll have to schedule a consultation with Dr. Geller.
Can Dental Implants Replace Front Teeth?
Absolutely! Each implant is topped with a high-quality restoration. This could be a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you’re missing. Your restoration will be made to perfectly resemble the pearly whites you were born with by taking detailed impressions of your mouth. Even if you get dental implants in your front teeth, no one but our dental team should be able to tell the difference between them and your natural teeth!
How Long Does the Dental Implant Process Take?
The answer to this question can vary greatly from patient to patient. In general, it takes anywhere from three to six months for the implant posts to fully integrate with your jawbone. From there, it may take another few weeks to receive your abutment (a small metal connector that attaches your restoration to your implants) and then your final restoration. If you need bone grafting before that, it can add another few months of healing time. During your consultation, Dr. Geller can lay out a detailed treatment timeline to give you a more personalized idea of how long the process will take.
I Currently Have a Denture. Can It Be Combined with Dental Implants?
Traditional dentures notoriously lose their fit every few years as the jawbone naturally changes shape after tooth loss. The good news is that dental implants prevent the jawbone from shrinking. Therefore, if your denture is supported by implants, it can last significantly longer before it needs a replacement. We can definitely examine your dentures and your mouth to determine whether you’re a good candidate for an implant-retained denture.