Dental Implants

Tooth loss doesn’t just create gaps in your smile—it changes how you live your daily life. You might find yourself avoiding certain foods, feeling self-conscious in conversations, or noticing changes in your facial structure as your jawbone weakens over time. Dr. Htet Khant, DDS at Beachwood Dental of Los Alamitos specializes in dental implant solutions that address these real concerns with precision and care. Using advanced Zimmer and Nobel Biocare implant systems, we don’t just fill the spaces left by missing teeth—we restore the strength, stability, and natural appearance your smile deserves while protecting your long-term oral health.

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Understanding Single-Tooth Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. When you need just one tooth replaced, a single-tooth implant provides a stand-alone solution that doesn’t rely on neighboring teeth for support. The titanium post is inserted directly into the jawbone where your natural tooth once stood, and a custom crown is placed on top to match your existing teeth.

This approach preserves the structural integrity of your surrounding teeth since they don’t need to be altered or ground down to accommodate the restoration. The metal foundation fuses with your bone over time, creating a stable anchor that supports normal biting and chewing forces. Single-tooth implants offer a permanent alternative to bridges, giving you back both function and a natural appearance.

Benefits of Single-Tooth Implants

Maintain Your Natural Bite Alignment

A missing single tooth creates a gap that allows neighboring teeth to shift gradually into the empty space. Dental implants fill this space immediately, preventing unwanted tooth movement that can throw off your bite alignment. When your teeth stay in their proper positions, you avoid issues like jaw pain, uneven wear, and difficulty chewing. A single dental implant keeps your entire dental structure stable and balanced.

Simplify Your Daily Oral Care Routine

Single-tooth implants don’t require the special cleaning techniques that bridges or partial dentures demand. You brush and floss your implant tooth exactly like your natural teeth, with no extra tools or adhesives needed. There are no clasps to clean around or removable pieces to soak overnight. This straightforward maintenance makes it easier to keep your mouth healthy and your restoration looking its best.

Avoid Damage to Healthy Adjacent Teeth

When you replace a missing tooth with a traditional bridge, dentists must reshape the teeth on either side to support the restoration. Single dental implants eliminate this need entirely because they’re anchored directly into your jawbone. Your healthy teeth remain untouched and unaltered, preserving their natural enamel and strength. This conservative approach protects your existing teeth from unnecessary dental work and potential complications down the road.

Restore Full Chewing Power on Both Sides

Missing even one tooth forces you to chew primarily on the opposite side of your mouth, which creates uneven pressure and strain. A single dental implant restores balanced chewing function so you can distribute force evenly across both sides. You’ll bite into crunchy vegetables, chewy meats, and tough foods without favoring one side or experiencing discomfort. This balanced function reduces stress on your jaw joints and prevents overworking certain teeth.

Prevent the Domino Effect of Tooth Loss

Losing one tooth significantly increases your risk of losing additional teeth nearby. The gap left behind reduces support for neighboring teeth and changes how bite forces are distributed across your mouth. Single-tooth dental implants stop this progression by maintaining proper spacing and pressure distribution. By addressing one missing tooth promptly, you protect the health and stability of your entire smile for years ahead.

Our Dental Implant Treatment Process

Diagnostic Assessment and Bone Evaluation

Your single-tooth implant process starts with Dr. Htet Khant, DDS conducting a thorough examination of your oral health and the gap left by your missing tooth. We use advanced digital X-rays and imaging to assess your jawbone density, gum tissue health, and the position of surrounding teeth. This detailed evaluation helps us determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants and identify any preparatory work needed. We also discuss your medical history, lifestyle factors, and expectations to ensure implants are the right solution for you.

Blueprint for Your Tooth Replacement

Based on your evaluation results, we design a treatment approach specifically for your single-tooth replacement needs. Your plan includes the exact placement location for the titanium post, the timeline from surgery to final crown placement, and what to expect during healing. Dr. Htet Khant, DDS explains how the implant will integrate with your jawbone and shows you digital previews of your final restoration. We address all your questions and concerns so you feel completely prepared before moving forward.

Precise Titanium Post Placement

During the procedure, Dr. Htet Khant, DDS precisely positions the titanium post into your jawbone where your natural tooth root once was. We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the surgery, which typically takes about an hour for a single dental implant. After placement, the implant needs several months to fuse with your bone through osseointegration, creating a solid foundation. You’ll receive a temporary restoration during this healing period so you won’t have a visible gap in your smile.

Post-Procedure Care and Healing Guidelines

Following your implant placement, we provide you with specific guidelines to promote optimal healing and prevent complications. You’ll need to stick with soft foods for the first week, avoid putting pressure on the implant site, and maintain gentle but thorough oral hygiene. We prescribe any necessary medications to manage discomfort and prevent infection during recovery. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing become crucial to keeping the surgical area clean as your implant integrates with your jawbone.

Integration Checkups and Final Crown Placement

We schedule checkup appointments to examine how well your dental implant is healing and integrating with your bone. These visits allow Dr. Htet Khant, DDS to verify that the titanium post is stable and ready for the final restoration. Once fully healed, we take impressions to create your custom crown that matches your natural teeth perfectly in color, shape, and size. After attaching your permanent crown, we provide long-term maintenance guidance to help your single-tooth implant last for decades.

Why Choose Us for Dental Implants

At Beachwood Dental of Los Alamitos, Dr. Htet Khant, DDS approaches dental implant treatment with precision and genuine attention to your specific needs. We utilize trusted Zimmer and Nobel Biocare implant systems because their proven track record aligns with our commitment to delivering restorations that truly last. Our focus extends beyond simply placing an implant—we consider how it will function with your bite, blend with your existing teeth, and support your jawbone health for decades to come.

Our practice specializes in single-tooth implant cases where protecting your healthy adjacent teeth matters most. The stand-alone titanium post technique we use ensures your surrounding teeth remain untouched while providing the stability you need for normal eating and speaking. From your first consultation through your final follow-up, you’ll work with a team that values your time, respects your concerns, and stays committed to outcomes that genuinely improve your smile and quality of life.

Your Path to a Stronger, More Confident Smile Starts Here!

You deserve to eat the foods you love, speak clearly, and feel confident in every conversation without worrying about gaps in your teeth. Dr. Htet Khant, DDS and the Beachwood Dental of Los Alamitos team specialize in dental implant solutions designed specifically for your unique situation, whether you need one tooth replaced or several.

See how we’ve helped patients in Los Alamitos regain their smiles by following our Facebook and Instagram pages for before-and-after results and patient stories. Schedule your consultation with us today by calling 562-598-9497—let’s discuss how dental implants can give you back the function, appearance, and peace of mind you’ve been missing.

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FAQs

How much are dental implants?

Dental implant costs vary widely depending on factors like how many teeth you’re replacing, your jawbone condition, and whether additional procedures are needed. Single-tooth implants generally cost less than multiple implant cases. At Beachwood Dental of Los Alamitos, we provide transparent pricing during your consultation and discuss financing options to help make your treatment accessible and affordable for your budget.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically inserted into your jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Once placed, these posts fuse with your bone and serve as anchors for artificial teeth like crowns or bridges. Unlike removable dentures, implants become a permanent part of your mouth, functioning and appearing just like your natural teeth for a seamless restoration.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants can last 25 years or longer with proper care, and many patients keep them for life. The titanium posts themselves are extremely durable and resist decay. While the crowns attached to implants may need replacement after 10-15 years due to wear, maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental checkups helps maximize their longevity significantly.

Do dental implants hurt?

Most patients report minimal discomfort during dental implant surgery because local anesthesia numbs the treatment area completely. After the procedure, you might experience mild soreness or swelling that typically resolves within a few days. Over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs usually manage any discomfort effectively, and many patients find the process much easier than anticipated.

Why avoid dairy after dental implant?

Avoiding dairy after dental implant surgery helps reduce the risk of complications during early healing. Dairy products can increase mucus production and may cause nausea when combined with pain medications. They can also introduce bacteria to vulnerable surgical sites when your mouth is most susceptible to infection, so sticking with non-dairy soft foods promotes cleaner, faster healing.