Pasadena Dental Implants

Dental implants placed by Pasadena dentist Dr. Azarbal can be the ideal solution for patients with missing teeth. Unlike dentures or dental bridges, implants are surgically anchored in the jaw and function just like natural teeth.

With this option, patients avoid some of the major problems associated with dentures, like slippage, chewing difficulties, and eventual loss of bone due to resorption.

How do dental implants work?

A dental implant consists of two basic parts: a titanium root form that is surgically implanted in the jawbone; and then a porcelain crown that is placed over the root form. When done by a skilled cosmetic dentist like Dr. Azarbal, it's difficult to tell a dental implant from the real thing.

The process of getting a dental implant involves two separate visits. First the implant must be inserted into the jaw by an oral surgeon. At Pasadena Dental Aesthetics, we have an oral surgeon onsite who can do the initial root-form implant. After the implant has had time to bond with the surrounding bone, Dr. Azarbal will place the custom-designed replacement tooth at a subsequent visit.

Advantages of dental implants

• Dental implants look, feel and function like your own natural teeth. The titanium root forms bond to the surrounding bone over time, creating a durable root for the substitute tooth.
• Requires no preparation of adjacent teeth. With a traditional dental bridge, the adjacent teeth must be prepared for crowns, with the false tooth of the bridge suspended between them. With implants, the surronding teeth, if healthy, are left untouched.
• For patients who are missing all of their teeth, they provide several advantages over removable dentures. Implants preserve normal chewing function. Studies have shown that patients with removable dentures suffer a loss of 20 percent or more chewing capacity.
• Dental implants also prevent the bone loss associated with tooth extraction and long-term denture use. When teeth are extracted, the body senses that jaw support there is no longer necessary and begins to resorb the calcium for use in other areas. In patients who have lost all of their teeth, this can result in facial collapse and difficulty wearing dentures in the future. Because dental implants maintain a root form in the bone, it remains strong and functional.

Pain-free, pleasant experience

Obviously, getting implants is a major dental procedure. Rest assured that Pasadena Dental Aesthetics places a high priority on patient comfort as well as treatment excellence. Our oral surgeon, Dr. Mansouri, is experienced in the use of a technique known as "conscious sedation." (This technique involves the use of medication to induce a relaxed state in the patient. At all times, the patient remains awake and able to answer questions and respond to instructions, but feels no pain and has no memory of the procedure afterward.)

In addition to standard anesthetics and pain relief, Dr. Azarbal also uses nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and, when needed, mild sedatives to ensure patients have a positive experience with their dental care.