How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants have three main components that recreate a complete tooth. A titanium post acts as an artificial root, surgically placed into your jawbone. An abutment connects to the top of the post once healing is complete. Finally, a custom crown, bridge, or denture attaches to the abutment, creating the visible portion of your new tooth.

The magic happens during a process called osseointegration. Over several months, your jawbone fuses with the titanium post, creating a bond as strong as a natural tooth root. This integration provides unmatched stability and prevents the bone loss that typically follows tooth extraction. Dr. Lewis works with skilled oral surgeons and periodontists to ensure every phase of your treatment proceeds smoothly and successfully.

Why Choose Implants Over Other Options

Traditional tooth replacement methods have significant drawbacks that implants overcome. Bridges require grinding down healthy adjacent teeth to serve as anchors, unnecessarily sacrificing good tooth structure. Removable dentures slip and slide, making eating difficult and causing embarrassing moments. Both options accelerate jawbone deterioration because they don’t stimulate the bone like natural tooth roots.

Dental implants offer advantages that no other restoration can match:

• Preserve Jawbone Density: Implants stimulate bone growth and prevent the facial sagging that occurs with bone loss
• Protect Neighboring Teeth: No need to alter adjacent teeth for support
• Superior Stability: Eat, speak, and laugh without worry about movement or slipping
• Natural Appearance: Custom restorations blend seamlessly with your existing teeth
• Incredible Longevity: Implants can last a lifetime with proper care
• Improved Comfort: Feel like your natural teeth without sore spots or irritation

Single Tooth Replacement

When you lose a single tooth, an implant is the ideal replacement. The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation, during which Dr. J. Dennis Lewis examines your oral health, takes detailed images, and determines if you have adequate bone density for implant placement. Most patients qualify for implants, though some need bone grafting to build sufficient support.

After the surgical placement, you’ll wear a temporary restoration while the implant integrates with your bone. This healing period typically lasts three to six months. Once integration is complete, Dr. Lewis attaches your permanent custom crown. The entire restoration matches your natural teeth perfectly in shape, size, and color, making it virtually impossible to distinguish from the real thing.

Multiple Teeth and Full Arch Replacement

Missing several teeth or an entire arch doesn’t mean you need an implant for every gap. Strategic placement of multiple implants can support bridges or dentures, providing comprehensive restoration with fewer implants than you might expect. An implant-supported bridge replaces several consecutive missing teeth using just two or three implants as anchors.

Full arch replacement offers life-changing results for patients missing teeth or facing full extraction. Rather than traditional dentures that rest on your gums and require messy adhesives, implant-supported dentures snap securely onto strategically placed implants. You gain the confidence to eat whatever you want without worrying about your teeth shifting or falling out.

The Dental Implant Process

Understanding what to expect helps you feel prepared and confident throughout your implant journey. Dr. Lewis walks you through each phase so you know exactly what’s happening and when.

Your treatment begins with comprehensive planning. We take 3D scans and X-rays to map your jaw structure precisely. This information guides implant placement for optimal results. If bone grafting is necessary, we complete that procedure and allow healing before moving forward.

During implant placement, you receive local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. The surgeon creates a small opening in your gum, places the titanium post precisely in your jawbone, and closes the site with stitches. Most patients report minimal discomfort afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

The healing phase requires patience but delivers incredible results. As your bone fuses with the implant, you build a foundation to serve you for life. Dr. J. Dennis Lewis monitors your progress with follow-up appointments to ensure everything heals properly.

Finally, we attach your custom restoration. Whether you’re receiving a single crown or a full arch of teeth, we ensure everything fits perfectly, looks natural, and feels comfortable. We make any necessary adjustments so you leave our office ready to enjoy your new smile immediately.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

One of the best things about dental implants in Brea is how easy they are to maintain. You care for them like natural teeth—brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting Dr. Lewis for routine checkups and cleanings. Unlike dentures that require special cleaning solutions and overnight soaking, implants stay in your mouth permanently and need no special maintenance beyond good oral hygiene.

Regular dental visits allow us to monitor your implants and address any concerns early. With proper care, your implants can last for decades or even a lifetime, making them an excellent long-term investment in oral health and quality of life.

Invest in Your Smile’s Future

Dental implants represent a significant investment, but they deliver unmatched value over time. When you consider the comfort, confidence, and longevity they provide compared to alternatives that need frequent adjustments or replacements, implants often prove more cost-effective in the long run. Our practice offers flexible financing options that make implant treatment accessible and affordable.

Dental Implants in Brea

You don’t have to live with the frustration and embarrassment of missing teeth. Contact J. Dennis Lewis Dentistry now to schedule your dental implant consultation. Dr. Lewis will evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan that restores your smile completely. Call our Brea office today and take the first step toward permanent tooth replacement that transforms your life!