Dental Implants
Dental implants to replace missing or hopeless teeth are serious business – and Dr. Verdi & Associates. is a serious choice. As an implant specialist, Sahar Verdi D.D.S has conducted advanced research on dental implants at New York University and is among the best-known dental specialists practicing in the Greater Los Angeles area. She is also a long-time faculty member at UCLA. Dr. Verdi’s patients and colleagues agree that she is one of the very best and a leader in the use of the latest techniques for better outcomes and greater patient comfort.
Dental Implant Options
Every patient’s situation is different and so we offer the full range of implant options. Choices include:
- Single and Multiple Implants – Implants are replacements for the roots of teeth placed directly into the bone structure via minor oral surgery. Once the implant is integrated with the bone, a permanent crown is placed over the implant and functions just as your original tooth (or teeth) would. Whether you have lost just one tooth or a few different teeth located in different parts of the mouth, the process does not dramatically change.
- Immediate Implant Placement – This is when an implant is placed at the same time as the natural tooth is extracted. Patients often find it desirable, but not every patient is a candidate. Before we can proceed, we will need to take a close look at the site of the missing tooth. If sufficient bone is available after extraction, an implant is placed and a temporary crown can then be placed as well – followed later by permanent crown once the implant has finished healing.
- All-on-Four or All-on-Six Implants – When all or most teeth of an upper or lower row are missing, it is no longer essential to go through the same painstaking process for each tooth. All-on-Four and All-on-Six are similar procedures that save a great deal of time and expense, allowing a patient to leave after a single visit with a full row of new temporary teeth anchored by either four or six implants. When permanent crowns are added several months later, patients have a set of prosthetic teeth that function and look almost exactly like natural teeth.
- Implant Care – Just like your natural teeth, dental implants require outstanding oral hygiene and that means regular dental visits including a yearly exam. If you experience any kind of problem with your dental implant in the months and years that follow the placement of your permanent crowns, Dr. Verdi is always ready to help.
The Comfort Oriented Approach to Dental Implants.
Every member of Dr. Verdi & Associates team is trained in a gentle approach that stays in touch with patients so that they are kept comfortable throughout procedures. Dr. Verdi is an expert in the intelligent use of the most advanced local and topical anesthetics, so patients can get an implant procedure without discomfort and therefore no need for further medication. However, the doctor remains sensitive to the needs of the many patients who suffer from some degree of anxiety related to an implant procedure. For these individuals, she offers two types of sedation dentistry to deal with fear and phobias.
- IV sedation sends patients off to a sleep-like state where they have essentially no awareness of what is happening. However, since it is a relatively light form of sedation, it is safer and the patient will recuperate from the after-effects more rapidly.
- Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is a substance dentist has used since the 19th century that induces a state of euphoria without the use of any conventional drugs. The beauty of this approach is that, unlike IV sedation, patients immediately regain their full mental capacity once the procedure is over.
The Latest Oral Healthcare Technology 3D Cat Scan for the Best Outcomes
Dr. Verdi is a widely respected oral health leader with a background as a teacher and researcher at UCLA and other leading institutions. Our dental implant patients benefit from her use of 3-D imaging technology that leaves simple two-dimensional x-rays far behind in terms of accuracy. Dr. Verdi has chosen Planmeca CT scan machines which are used in universities and teaching institutions worldwide for both treatment and research purposes.
Why Dental Implants?
Dental implants are generally regarded as the most attractive tooth replacements and, since they act just like real teeth, there’s no denying that they are the most comfortable and convenient. However, there’s more to the story that relates directly to your quality of life and wellbeing.
While patients typically want to replace lost teeth so they can return to their old appearance and lifestyle, replacing them is also an important choice for an individual’s health. Working teeth are essential for proper nutrition, but that’s only part of the story. Toothless pockets in the gums can easily become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. This can lead to a serious infection that can not only threaten your gums but can rapidly spread throughout the body if left unchecked. Just as you would need stitches following a significant wound to keep out bacteria, it is dangerous to leave these areas exposed.
Traditional dentures largely address bacterial and nutrition issues and they are definitely much better than nothing. Unfortunately, there is a second problem with missing teeth that not everyone understands: bone loss. This occurs because the roots of natural teeth stimulate bone tissue production in the underlying structure as a patient chew. If there is no tooth, the jawline can shrink over time due to a lack of stimulation. In advanced cases, it can create bone disfigurement and lead to additional complications, including the loss of more teeth. Since implants replace roots, they mimic the stimulation of natural teeth to prevent the loss of bone density. Dental implants are the only solution for missing teeth that actively prevent bone loss.
Get Started Today
If you need a dental implant or any other type of dental assistance, the team at Dr. Verdi & Associates is looking forward to hearing from you and helping you. For more information on our services, please visit our contact page or call the number on your screen.