Questions for Your Glendale Dentist
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to your oral health care. Fortunately, our Glendale dental office is here to help! We pride ourselves on helping our patients stay informed and educated about the benefits of good oral health care.
We’ll spend all the time you need and answer all your questions until we know you have the information you’re looking for. Before we begin any treatment, we’ll explain everything in detail so you know exactly what you can expect.
Here are a few of the questions we’re asked most often, but we know you probably have others. Please don’t hesitate to call our dental office or fill out our handy online contact form, and we’ll be happy to help.
Dental Implants
Dental implants in Glendale offer an excellent solution for patients struggling with tooth loss. An implant provides the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth so you can eat, chew, and smile with ease.
Completing an implant does take some time, as they need three to six months to heal and integrate with your bone before we can design your new porcelain crown. However, the surgery itself is straightforward and pain-free.
Dr. Kim has the advanced skills and training to complete your implant from start to finish here at our Glendale dental office. He uses the best anesthetics to ensure that you don't feel a thing during your procedure. His experience and expertise help the procedure go smoothly and efficiently. Most of our patients report that dental implant surgery is often easier than a tooth extraction.
We also offer options for dental sedation either orally or intravenously for patients who may need extra help getting through their dental procedures. Dr. Kim is happy to review your options if you feel that you might benefit from dental sedation during your procedure.
If you want more information about dental implants in Glendale and how they might benefit you, contact our team today at (818) 242-3739.
When you're dealing with tooth loss, it's essential to understand all of your treatment options. Most dentists will agree that dental implants are the gold standard and best choice for tooth replacement.
Patients may wonder if there's a less expensive tooth replacement that doesn't require surgery, and the answer to that question is: yes. However, while your other options may be less expensive, they may not be the ideal choice for your dental health.
Let's see how dental implants compare to other tooth replacement solutions.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge supports one or two prosthetic teeth with crowns on either end. The crowns attach to healthy teeth to support the artificial teeth in between.
Dental bridges were the first choice for tooth replacement before dental implants; however, they have drawbacks. A dental bridge does not replace your tooth root like a dental implant does, which results in bone loss over time.
A bridge also requires your dentist to alter two healthy teeth to place the support crowns. The bridge may also only provide a life span of about seven to 12 years and require replacement.
Full or Partial Dentures
Partial dentures can replace multiple missing teeth, while full dentures replace an entire arch. A complete denture fits over your gums and relies on suction, adhesives, and a snug fit to stay in place. Relying on your jawbone for support eventually results in bone loss over time, which will impact the fit of your denture.
Some people have difficulties with dentures moving or slipping when they talk, laugh, or eat, which can cause embarrassing situations.
Opt to Do Nothing
This is the least expensive option but could be the one with the most consequences.
If you choose not to replace a lost tooth, your neighboring teeth will begin to drift into the open space. Drifting results in tooth misalignment and increases your risk of developing problems like tooth decay or gum disease.
You will also experience bone loss without a root for your jawbone to support. This can impact surrounding teeth, resulting in more tooth loss. It can also cause your face to have a 'sunken' look that adds years to your appearance.
Why Dental Implants in Glendale, CA Are the Optimum Choice
Dental implants replace both your root and your tooth, solving the problem of bone loss and protecting your dental health. They also act like a natural tooth, giving you the function and appearance you had before your tooth loss.
Tooth implants also offer excellent longevity, as they can last a lifetime in many cases. This makes them a more cost-effective option for some patients.
Dental implants in Glendale can also support prosthetics like a bridge or denture so patients with multiple lost teeth can experience their benefits. For example, implants can act as anchor teeth for bridges and support dentures designed to snap into them, providing extra stability, so there's no slippage during talking and eating.
Learn More About Dental Implants for Your Smile
Dr. Lucio Kim has helped hundreds of patients over the years restore their smiles with tooth implants. He can complete the procedure from start to finish at our Glendale dental office, so you don't have to go elsewhere for your care.
Contact us today at (818) 242-3739 for more information about dental implants.
If your dentist suggests a complicated and costly procedure like a dental implant with complex pretreatments or braces, you may be considering a second opinion dentist in Glendale, CA. You are not alone!
A second opinion dentist will agree with the original diagnosis or may present alternatives that better suit your goals and budget.
Reasons to Visit a Second Opinion Dentist in Glendale, CA
#1 Being Your Own Advocate
Seeking a second opinion is natural, so don't feel bad about advocating for yourself. You're not the first patient to seek a second opinion by far, and you'll not be the last.
#2 Differences in Dental Training
All dentists and dental practices are different. Even the treatment options offered and the technologies utilized will be different as well as the education level of the dentist. One dentist may be limited in what they can offer, but another dentist has the skill and technologies to give you more options. This is the case at our dental practice. A second opinion dentist here means seeking the opinion of a top dentist in the field.
#3 A Second Opinion Dentist for Your Peace of Mind
Sometimes you're given a diagnosis or treatment plan, and something about it nags at you. You wonder if there is an easier way to restore your oral health. In this case, a second opinion dentist is crucial. You never want to wonder if you made the right choice for your smile.
#4 Considerations for Your Budget and Time
Perhaps a suggested treatment is expensive, or it means a lengthy recovery. Often another dentist can recommend a similar, less expensive, and less invasive treatment to restore your oral health. Less invasive dentistry typically means a shorter recovery time.
For your convenience, our dental office is happy to work with third-party financing like CareCredit.
#5 You're Feeling Unsure About Your Dentist
Maybe you're not feeling good with your current dentist and team. Perhaps, they push you to undergo expensive dental treatments regularly, or something is always wrong. If you're unsure about your dentist, we strongly encourage a second opinion dentist in Glendale, CA.
#6 You Feel Something Is Wrong Following Treatment
Maybe you've had dental work done and still have pain. Perhaps a restoration or prosthetic is uncomfortable, and your current dentist dismisses your concerns and does not solve the problem. This is an excellent reason to seek a second opinion.
#7 Your Current Dentist Says You Are Not Suitable for a Certain Treatment
This goes back to skill and technology. Remember, all dentists and practices are different. For example, one dentist may say you are not a good candidate for dental implants. Another dentist may provide treatments to bring you into candidacy.
Contact a Top Second Opinion Dentist Near Me
Your oral health is crucial to your well-being, and your smile was meant to last a lifetime. When something is this important, it only makes sense to be sure and seek another opinion when you are not.
Dr. Lucio Kim wants the best for you and does not mind offering a second opinion, especially for advanced procedures that may be unnecessary, costly, or mean a long recovery for you. Second opinions also help verify that you made the right choice if a procedure has already been performed.
For a second opinion dentist near me, give us a call at (818) 242-3739 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Kim.
That's a common question I get about dental implants all the time when we have consultations. Dental implants cannot get cavities or decay. So that's good. But dental implants are vulnerable to gum issues. You need to keep them clean....like they are the only teeth in your mouth kind of clean. Also, the dental implants themselves (the titanium placed into the actual bone as support) need to be placed in a good place. AND the implant crowns need to be designed correctly as to allow for cleaning and to make sure they are biting down the wrong way.
Dental Implants in Glendale
So it's not just one thing that determines the longevity of dental implants. Let's talk numbers. Traditional dental "bridges" have a success rate of about 50-65% over a 10-year span. Dental implants have a better success rate over 10 years, about 85-95%. The odds are in your favor. But like most things, the better you take care of it, the better chance it has for lasting in the long term.