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Get Your Smile Back with Dental Implants

dental_implats_roots

If a person’s teeth are gone it will not only affect they way they look, but it can also have serious effects on their bodies as well. Besides being unsightly missing teeth can be damaging to your overall well-being. Through the introduction of dental implants missing teeth does not have to affect a person anymore saving money, and your smile. Problems like chewing difficulty or even losing more teeth can be avoided with this one easy procedure. 

What Dental Implants Are

Dental implants are individual artificial teeth that are made to look like your natural teeth. The system is made to be so much like regular teeth that it has titanium implanted into the gums to hold the tooth into place. Because they are well rooted into the gums they leave a natural look and only you will ever know you had implants put in. They are incredibly low maintenance as well since they do not require you to ever take them out of your mouth. They are made and designed so that they do not irritate your gums as well. 

A Lifetime Investment

These artificial teeth last a long time and will be there for many years. There are millions of people that are currently using implants all across the world. Unlike other forms of tooth replacement, the need for a replacement of the dental implants is extremely low. Many will never need them replaced making it a very wise financial decision. While these can last for the life of your mouth, many other dental replacements would need to be replaced between 7-15 years after they are fitted and often it can even be needed within the first 5 years of having them made. This can become very costly to replace throughout a person’s lifetime. 

Let One Stop Implants Help Out

If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to have your smile back and think dental implant may be for you, be sure to call us at One Stop Implants & Dental. We have affordable pricing and superior service offering high-quality dental service and care for everyone. You can schedule an appointment with us by calling 1-800-862-2249 or through our contact form. We are here to help you out, nothing else.

The Differences Between Dental Implants & Bridges

Image of Dental Implant Presentation of 1 Front Implant and 2 Back Implants Teeth can be a very sensitive subject for dental patients, especially when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. A missing tooth can affect self confidence, can be an inconvence, and in some cases can effect quality of life and ability to chew food and speak eloquently. When it comes to choosing between a dental implant or a dental bridge, the decision is very difficult. Before a patient can make a decision like this, one needs to first know the differences between the two. 

Dental Implant

When a patient chooses to have a dental implant put in, they are usually committing to multiple office visits for sizing, fitting, and the actual procedure itself. Luckily, at One Stop Implants, the entire procedure can be done directly in our office! A dental implant is drilled into and mounted in the jaw bone, the procedure is usually done with anesthesia. This provides a sturdy hold and a long-term, stand-alone solution. A dental implant will look and feel like a real tooth and you dentist will match the shade of your implant with your natural teeth. A dental implant is easier to care for than a dental bridge however, not all patients are surgical candidates.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is much different than an implant. Donning the name bridge because it literally creates a bridge attached to either tooth. In this procedure, the dentist files down the two teeth bordering the missing tooth and attaches the bridge. It is also matched to the color of your natural teeth. One of the draw backs here is that you cannot floss between the teeth making it harder to clean, which may lead to potential drawbacks such as tooth decay and dental disease for those who don’t keep up on their oral hygiene. However, placing a bridge does not require surgery and generally can be finished quicker than a dental implant.

Cost

A very strong factor in deciding whether a dental bridge or a dental implant is right for you can be the cost of the procedure. For a dental bridge a patient can expect to pay a couple hundred dollars to a thousand per tooth. With a dental implant we can expect to see costs of anywhere from one to two thousand dollars per tooth. Insurance typically will pay a percentage for either a bridge or implant if the procedure is medically necessary, for many insurance carriers this can mean they will only replace teeth in certain locations within the mouth.

Final Note

Try not to base your decision purely on cost, as a dental implant typically lasts a lifetime longer than a bridge due to its solid mounting and stand alone status. If you have been thinking about a dental implant feel free to give us a call at One Stop Implants. Its our passion to improve the quality of life for all of our patients. We’re standing by at 800.862.2249 to answer all of your questions and help you make an informed decision. We even schedule free consultations, if you’d rather speak to a dentist in person.

How Old is too Old for Dental Implants

Dental implants can be a great option for fixing broken or missing teeth, but some people wonder whether they’re too old to receive implants. 

Can elderly people receive dental implants?

As medical knowledge and technology is improving, it’s becoming more and more common for people to live to be 90 years or even older. Although many people are living longer, it’s still typical to suffer from gum disease or tooth decay with age. Elderly people often choose dentures to deal with tooth loss, but dentures can cause even more bone and tooth loss. Dentures can also irritate gum tissue and cause difficulty with eating. 

Dental implants can be a much better option for elderly people as they cause no problems with talking, eating, or drinking. Implants are just as effective in elderly people as they are in younger people, even in older people with osteoporosis or bone loss.

Are dental implants better than conventional dentures?

Almost all patients can benefit more from dental implants than conventional dentures. Many people with dentures find it difficult to chew or speak, and it can take a significant toll on on their health and social life. Implants allow patients to maintain their normal lifestyle.

Is recovery from the implant procedure difficult?


If performed correctly, the dental implant procedure shouldn’t be very painful. Recovery is usually quicker and more comfortable than recovery from teeth extraction, although most patients feel slight pain for a few days immediately after the surgery. The dentist may either use a fixed denture to restore the implants immediately or wait a few months for the implants to heal before placing the new teeth on top.

What are some benefits of receiving dental implants?


Unlike many other types of dental treatments, implants allow the patients to eat all foods. People with implants can easily eat healthy, satisfying, and nutritious foods. Patients with conventional dentures often deal with bone loss, but implants can help to preserve the patient’s jaw bone instead of damaging it.

Getting The Perfect Implants For Your Teeth

Patient and Dentist Looking at X-Rays

A lot of people show up looking for better teeth and better smiles, and I cannot give them anything unless I give them an idea of what they will need. The implants that they are looking for have special properties, and you need to be sure that you know what they are all about. I am explaining them here, and you can ask more questions if you need to when you contact us.

Implants do not get cavities, but you still need to brush and floss because they can get infected if things get caught around them or under them. That is important, and you need to be sure that you care for them so that they do not make bigger problems for you. You need to come in for cleanings, and you need to be sure that you have a look at them in the mirror to be sure they are clean.

Implants do not slip. They are installed into the jaw so that they will not move, and you will not have to worry about anything happening to them like that. You might chip them if something hard hit them, but the post will not move.

You sleep with these implants in because they are permanent. You need to make sure that you are using the implants in a way that works for you, and the best way to do that is just treat them like regular teeth.

Implants can be more expensive than bridges and crowns, but it all depends on how you get them installed. There are certain kinds that are going to be more expensive than others and you have to pay for the root canals to make sure you are ready for the implants to be put in. 

Implants can last for decades if you are taking care of them, and anything that you get implanted in your mouth has to be looked at by a dentist at least once a year. The dentist is going to help you learn how much life is left in them, and you also need to be sure that you are going to have the best chance of getting the implants installed that will really last you until the end of your life.

Anything that is not included here can be answered when you contact our office, and we will make sure that you can get the help you need.

Your Candidacy for Dental Implants

Dental Meeting between Patient and Dentist

Your candidacy for dental implants is something that you need to take seriously. You have to work with someone who is going to help you with the parameters of your new implant. Your implant could do you a lot of good, but you need to make sure that you have spoken to Dr. Cohen from One Stop Implants & Dental about how it works. There are a couple things you have to think about when you go in to see if you can get implants.

Your gums have to be healthy if you are going to get implants, and the dentist is going to tell you if the gums are going to be healthy enough. Someone who is trying to get implants might have some work to do to keep their gums clean, and then you need to find out who can help you with the state of your gums before you get the implants. Luckily here at One Stop we help take down your periodontal and gingivital diseases.

You also need to be sure that you are not grinding or clenching your teeth. It is going to be hard for you to get the help that you need unless you know your own dental health habits. There are a lot of people who need to remember that they are going to have to stop the act of grinding or clenching their teeth if they want to get or keep their implants.

Bone support and good health are important, and you need to talk to your dentist about what they think about the jaw and bone support they have. You also have to be in good health so that there is no problem once you go in and get the care that you need. Someone who is trying to have a good implant procedure needs to be sure that they’re going to have a chance to get the surgery done the right way.

The implants that you get are going to be based on all these different things, and you have to be sure that you have a chance to get the implants when you are ready. There are a lot of people who are going to be able to have a good experience because their implants will work, and then they will have a nice smile again. You just need to make sure that you have looked into this with your dentist first.

What Are Dental Implants?

Diagram of Implant, Abutment, and Crown in Mouth

Dental implants are a major innovation in the field of dentistry that have only emerged in the last couple decades. The implants are constructed from light weight titanium, which is both resilient and biocompatible. This means that its presence will not cause irritation to the surrounding tissue once the implant has been installed. The actual implant is designed to replace the damaged root of the tooth and connecting into the jawbone. The benefits are that, once installed, the implant stays firmly secured and hidden from view. This allows a false crown to be attached in place of the missing tooth so that no difference is notable. The crown looks just like a real tooth and requires less maintenance than a traditional replacement would. 

If you are considering talking to your dentist about receiving dental implants, here is some important information that might help you make your decision. In terms of time, the implantation process can vary greatly based on the specific situation and the strength of the teeth and bones of each patient. Strong bones adapt and heal more quickly, brittle bones more slowly. As a result treatment can be anywhere from six weeks to six months before completion, sometimes more.

A single implant can be used to support multiple missing teeth, as well as traditional teeth replacements like false teeth or dentures. This means preexisting dental measure do not necessarily have to be replaced if you decide to proceed with dental implants. In terms of how many teeth a single implant can support, this once again varies based on the strength of the bone. Strong bones can hold and support the weight of multiple teeth but weaker bones cannot.

Dental implants are much like regular teeth. They can be quite resilient but only if properly cared for. If you apply all of the daily maintenance that you would for normal teeth the implant will stay strong and healthy. In that case it will last for years and years just like your normal teeth do. If not properly maintained however, plaque build-up can cause pain, irritation, or structural damage that weakens the implants over-all effectiveness. While the implants themselves are solidly fixed to the jawbone, occasionally a crown may come loose or crack. Thankfully, loose or damaged crowns can be replaced with relative ease. Please note the regular grinding of the teeth will cause increased wear on the implants and should be avoided.

As you can see, dental implants function much like normal teeth do. If you take the time to care for them they will remain healthy and strong for years to come. Once installed you should be able to go about your daily life barely even noticing their presence.

The Advantages of Implants over Bridgework

Photo Comparison of Bridges and an Implant

Losing a tooth used to be a disaster in the making. There were only a few options that were open to you. These days though there are a wide range more options that you can choose from to fix your teeth. Two main methods involve dental implants, and bridgework. Here are the reasons why experts are saying to choose dental implants and why they will fit your needs over bridges.

There is one thing that automatically stands out when it comes to bridges versus dental implants, this is the amount of work required. Implants are slightly easier as you can generally deal with a single tooth as opposed to having to involve extra teeth in the process of a bridge. With a bridge if you have a tooth that is broken or missing, you need to clear most of the enamel off of the adjacent teeth in order for it to be fit accordingly. An implant, you can simply have the one tooth replaced and have a result that is stronger and more permanent than a bridge. 

In the way of which one is more durable, that is again an easy choice. Dental implants will have the clear advantage here and as a result it will be something that you need to give serious thought to. Bridgework will often wear out over time and will require more and more work as the years go on. You can generally expect to have to replace your bridgework about every ten years. This can cause you a lot of disruption in your life and can be a huge impact as well will discuss in the next section, the costs. 

If you look at the initial costs associated with both methods, it would seem that bridgework will be your best choice. That is where the problem is as looks are often times not what they appear. The costs for the procedure at first will be cheaper than implants, but as discussed in the previous section, you will encounter more costs over time as you will have to have this replaced and that will over time costs far more than just having implants installed. With the fact that implants don’t need to be replaced, you will over time save money and be able to afford that vacation that you always dreamed of. 

As you can clearly see, implants are the overall better way to go and the smartest choice for your needs. You will in the end be glad that you made this choice and decided against the idea of other alternatives for your teeth. This is your teeth and money we are talking about, why not save both using dental implants?

The Effects of Alcohol on Your Teeth

Having a drink is a fun way for us to relax. Sometimes it’s through partying, taking in the club lights as we dance the night away with a can of beer in our hand. Other times it’s a relaxing weekend night with a glass of wine as we catch up on our favorite shows on Netflix. Either way, we use alcoholic to loosen up after days of hard work. However, what other good benefits are there? Alcohol has many significant dangers that detriment our health. Alcohol, either consumed benign or heavily, can affect your body as a whole. While there are many proofs as to how alcohol affects your entire being, let’s focus on a key physical appearance it affects the most, your teeth.



Teeth Staining

One Stop Implants - Stained TeethOur teeth are very important. In a beauty study, experts concluded that the smile is the most important feature of a person, surpassing other physical features such as their eyes, hair and figure. That is why it’s obvious when the effects of alcohol stain your teeth.

Teeth staining is caused by the wear of your enamel due to the harsh acidity of beverages including alcohol. A main concern about our enamel is that once it’s gone, it’s gone. Enamel slowly wears down during your life, but with the intake of alcohol, it decreases your enamel’s timespan.

As your enamel wears down, the thick, calcified bulk of your teeth called dentin is uncovered, causing your teeth to look yellow and darker. Your teeth are very porous, meaning that your teeth are essentially sponges to any liquids you consume. High concentrated drinks like red wine or cocktails leave a noticeable pigment across your teeth which will leave stains if not treated correctly. Beer also leaves your pores a dark shade of brown, depending on the concentration of barley and malt it’s made of. Thanks to our enamel, our teeth may have a lively white smile for a lifetime, that’s what it’s for. However your enamel is like a marriage, cheat on it with alcohol and don’t be surprised when it leaves you for good.

Teeth Decay

One Stop Implants - Teeth DecayAlongside staining comes the decaying of your teeth. Teeth decay is a huge factor as to why some people decide to live a life of sobriety. When you consume alcohol, the acidity of the drink starts eating away at your teeth and gum lines, making them prickly and sore.

Ever hear about those late night party-goers that end up on the sidewalk with vomit all over them? Not only is it a disgusting sight to see, even if you are a drunk friend taking a picture of them­, but they face major effects of alcoholism and the results will lead to teeth decay.

Acid reflux is a huge player in this scenario. If your stomach isn’t agreeing with you and it results in throwing up, your stomach acid will crawl out of its system, burn up your esophagus, and make your mouth aflame as you heave out everything until you’re empty inside. Here’s why this is a very bad situation. Your stomach acid is meant to kill bacteria and break down enzymes of the food and drink you consume, and those aren’t the only substances it can. When your stomach acid fills your mouth, it ruins your uvula, your gums, and your teeth. The acid eats away at your gums and your enamel, filling your pores with putrid acid and will remain there until you flush it out. The longer you allow the acid to eat away inside your mouth, the higher chance you will develop cases of gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth decay, or at best, teeth staining.

What Are We Doing Now?

One Stop Implants - Girl with Toothbrush and Flask in Pockets Sadly, while we may be educated in this type of matter, most of us ignore the dangerous facts of alcohol on our oral health. “People don’t realize how much damage alcohol causes,“ says Dr. Cohen of One Stop Implants, “The fact is people know the after effects of alcohol mentally, but they don’t know what it’s doing to them physically. Oral health is a huge issue for us because we talk, eat, and use our smile as a portfolio for ourselves. Not having maintained oral hygiene has negative consequences in the short and long run.”

According to an ADA Dental Health Report, almost 75% of adults from ages 18-29 years old admit to not brushing their teeth after an alcohol-inspired night. What this means is that for at least 8 hours after consuming alcohol, our teeth is being eaten away that’s caused by the acid in our beverages.

We are neglecting the important parts of our lives, prioritizing fun over needs. Getting tipsy with friends may seem like a great idea, but in reality we should be stopping ourselves and understanding the negative outcomes of the situation.

What Can We Do?

There are many ways that we can prevent and spread knowledge of what alcohol is doing to our oral health.

It’s best off to start learning about the negative effects of alcohol at a young age. Adolescence is a time frame in which we explored different experiences, wanting to hit milestones such as taking our first shot or getting drunk with friends. Want to impress that classmate across the room from you? You certainly would get turned down if they see those dark stains on your teeth or the smell of beer on your breathe. Studying for that exam next week? Good luck remembering all the information with the dead memory signals alcohol kills.

As far fetched as it sounds, the ability for us to sober up and live alcohol free lives is the easiest and safest way for us to avoid alcohol’s negative consequences.  Should you decide to live a life of sobriety, first contact your dentist. There is a high risk that your teeth may already have developed a level of tooth decay or have untreated cavities. Having those treated as soon as you can will get you on a path of healthy living and you’ll see the improvements in your oral hygiene. Schedule a teeth whitening with a licensed professional. Erase the memories and the marks of alcohol today by getting your teeth whitened and ready for a second chance.

While some of us can learn how to quit, sometimes alcohol is still a necessity or a want in life. Here are some helpful tips to minimize the damage that alcohol imposes.

One Stop Implants - Using Gum to Minimize Alcohol Damage Sip your drink through a straw, this directs the flow of the liquid into your mouth, minimizing contact with your gums and your teeth.

Rinse often when you drink, carrying a bottle of water around with you so you can flush your pores is a great way to prevent dark substances from having an overnight stay in your mouth.

Chew sugar-free gum. Not only is chewing a unique way to develop saliva, but salivation allows your body to self-cleanse your mouth, killing bacteria and sweeping away any substances left by alcohol.

Don’t brush or use mouthwash for at least an hour after drinking any alcohol. Your body is processing and controlling the influx of acid in your mouth already, brushing your teeth or swishing mouthwash will just make your enamel even softer as you’re adding more acid-based substances into the mix.

It may not be easy to quit or carry out these tips, but maybe others can. Keep your friends aware of how alcohol is affecting their oral health, together we can reach out to those who are hurting and work together to educate everyone about what alcohol does to your teeth and how to fight it. Are you already suffering the the effects of teeth decay and feel they are irreversible? Schedule a consultation with us today to see if you qualify to receive dental implant care.

How to Treat Your Dental Implant After Placement

Use Soft Toothbrushes and Gental Mouthwash

One of the main concerns people have about getting their dental implants is how to take care of them after they receive them. No one wants to deal with problems after getting implants, and they are easy to take care of if you just follow some simple procedures. 

Following these easy procedures will give you a lifetime free of worry about your implants. Right after your surgery, you are going to have to take preventative measures. Make sure you follow Dr. Cohen’s advice after your surgery. Contacting One Stop Implants can help you understand how to take care of your implants.

Post-Surgical Hygiene Is Important

Making sure your teeth are clean is important even directly after getting your implants. Brushing like usual but using a soft toothbrush is critical, especially around the posts of each implant. Since this is directly after getting implants, you need to use gentle strokes so that you don’t accidentally open any incisions that were made. To remove bacteria from your mouth, you must you any mouthwash that is provided. Make sure you use gental mouthwash that is prescibed to you, otherwise you may risk interferring with any integration of the implant and jawbone. In addition to the mouthwash, rinse your mouth out with a warm saltwater solution a few times each day. 

Post-Surgical Care

You will experience some swelling after getting your implants, and that’s to be expected. Also, you are going to have some sensitivity as a result of the surgery. Don’t be alarmed. The foods you need to eat after getting your implants need to be soft. Stay away from anything that is hard or crunchy for at least two weeks. And, you will be very sensitive to very hot and cold foods and drinks.

As with any surgery, taking common household medications like Ibuprofen and acetaminophen will help with discomfort and pain. It is advisable to keep your head elevated, even while sleeping. You will have a little bleeding as a result of the surgery, but you can bite down on sterile gauze pads to help stop that. Be advised that any inflammation you have from getting implants will go away in about two days, so be patient. Dr. Cohen will be able to advise you more as you progress in your healing.

Long-Term Care for Dental Implants

Once your gums have healed from the surgery, your dental implants will be just like normal teeth. You will be able to brush your teeth normally, and you will be able to floss normally. You can purchase special brushes that can get into the hard to reach area around the posts of your implants. Just like anyone, if you don’t take care of your teeth you are subject to suffer from gum disease. So practice good oral hygiene to keep your mouth healthy and make your dental implants last the rest of your life. 

Dental implants is a long process that requires a lot of patience and healing. Have you not gotten a consultation yet? Do you know if you qualify for dental implants? Call us today at (800) 862-2249 and get your FREE consultation.

Fight Tooth Decay!

tooth_decay
Most of us think of cavities as black spots in our mouth; however, that is not a true statement. To be clear, a cavity forms because of tooth decay. But, we can prevent and reverse the cavity making process.

Before understanding the cavity making process, it is important to know how cavities begin. Inside our mouths are hundreds of bacteria that form on our teeth, gums and tongue. However, some bacteria are good, while other types of bacteria can cause harm. 
Dental plaque, colorless and sticky bacteria, found in foods such as cookies, bread, milk and juice, begin to form whenever we consume them. These acid forming foods begin to slowly carve their way into the enamel of our teeth. 

To combat the destructive forces of dental plaque, there are minerals in our saliva plus fluoride that comes from water, toothpaste and other sources that begin to repair the enamel on our teeth by replacing minerals that are lost during the dental plaque attack. Everyday, our teeth go through this “attack.”

A cavity develops when our teeth come in contact with acid-causing foods and drinks such as sugary drinks and starchy foods such as bread and pastries. 
  1. These repeated attacks take away essential minerals from the enamel of the teeth. Then, early decay sets in, placing small white spots on our teeth.
  2. However, tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this stage by minerals in our saliva and fluoride from water or toothpaste.
  3. If tooth decay continues, the enamel on our teeth becomes weak and eventually is destroyed. Dental implants is an effective solution when tooth decay becomes a major problem. 
To prevent or reverse cavities there are several things we can do such as drinking fluoridated water, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, applying a fluoride gel on our teeth or using a fluoride mouth rinse. There are also tips that may prevent cavities such as limiting snacks between meals, limiting candy and cookies from our diet, limiting fruit juice and making sure to brush and floss our teeth every day.

If you have children, make sure that they brush their teeth twice a day, supervise them when they brush and ensure that they spit out the toothpaste, instead of swallowing it. To help with this process, try brushing their teeth for them for awhile and then let them follow your example. 

Another way to prevent cavities is with dental sealants. 
  1. Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. 
  2. Sealants work well because they cover these surfaces and protect our teeth by preventing food and bacteria from becoming trapped in those areas.
  3. Sealants are especially helpful in preventing cavities in children.
To conclude, cavities in adults and children can happen anytime; however, by applying some of the above methods and seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups, you can protect and prevent cavities. Keep in mind, too, that dental implants can provide a solution to teeth that become decayed. Talk with your dentist soon about this dental solution!

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11005 Firestone Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 863-8888

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Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 786-6000

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