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Missing teeth can impact your confidence, oral health, and quality of life. At Summit Dental Arts, we offer dental implants, a state-of-the-art solution for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth, providing a stable and natural-looking option for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once integrated, they provide a stable base for crowns, bridges, or dentures, making them a versatile solution for various dental needs.
Most patients with healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density are ideal candidates for implants. If you’ve experienced bone loss, a bone graft may be recommended to prepare your jaw for implants.
Dental implant planning should begin with the position, appearance and function of the replacement tooth—not with the implant alone. At Summit Dental Arts, the team evaluates the space, bite, gum contours and expected restoration before determining where an implant may be placed. This restoration-driven approach helps coordinate the surgical and restorative stages around the final goal.
Digital images and 3D records may be used to assess bone dimensions and nearby anatomy. Dr. Steven Tran will also review gum health, medical history, medications, healing factors and oral-hygiene habits. Some patients can move forward directly, while others may need periodontal care, extraction-site healing or bone development first.
One implant can support a single crown without preparing neighboring teeth. Multiple implants may support a bridge when several adjacent teeth are missing. Implants can also provide support for certain full-arch or removable restorations. The number and position of implants depend on anatomy, prosthetic design and clinical findings rather than simply the number of missing teeth.
Dental implants cannot develop cavities, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed or infected. Daily cleaning around the restoration, professional maintenance and periodic evaluation are essential. Patients with a history of gum disease, smoking, uncontrolled health conditions or heavy grinding may require additional attention.
Tell the office if you notice bleeding around an implant, tenderness, a loose restoration, a change in your bite or difficulty cleaning the area. These signs should be evaluated promptly.
If you are researching dental implants in Altadena, schedule a consultation with Summit Dental Arts. We will evaluate your current condition, discuss non-implant alternatives and explain the steps involved in a personalized treatment plan.
The timeline depends on extraction needs, bone condition, healing, implant stability and the type of final restoration. Some cases require several stages over a number of months.
Bone loss does not automatically rule out treatment. Imaging is needed to determine whether grafting or another approach may be appropriate.
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