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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!

Take Advantage of Dental Implants

dental_crowns

We live in an age filled with vast improvements in dentistry. However, there are still millions of people that are suffering with extreme dental problems that lead to tooth decay and other dental diseases. Certainly, the average person would like to maintain a wonderful smile. A few decades ago, they only considered replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge. However, today dental implants are a great alternative.

Understanding Dental Implants


Dental implants are a wonderful improvement in modern dental technology. They are very natural looking. Certainly, more natural looking than bridges. The implants are surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone. The implant is used to secure the teeth that are made to match the patient’s natural teeth. 

Dental Implant Advantages

There are several advantages provided by dental implants. Check out the following.

  • Improved Appearance – Bridges cause many problems and frustration for wearers. Often, they cause embarrassment because they are ill fitting. Dental implants look very natural, fit perfectly, and greatly improve one’s appearance.
  • Food – People with bridges find that it is extremely difficult to eat certain foods. Dental implants will allow one to eat more naturally without worrying about loose fitting dentures or the type of food consumed.
  • Improved Speech – Loose fitting dentures make it almost impossible for some people to carry on a regular conversation. Dental implants allow one to speak normally without worry.
  • More Self Confidence – People feel better about their teeth and better about their appearance. Thus, dental implants improve self confidence.
  • Comfort – Bridges are very uncomfortable for some people. However, dental implants are very comfortable and natural feeling. 
  • Improved Oral Health – Dental implants actually help to support surrounding teeth, making them easier to clean and maintain. In addition, dental implants may last a lifetime.


At this point, some people might wonder if they are a good candidate for dental implants. The fact is that any otherwise healthy person with missing teeth or one missing tooth is a good candidate for dental implants. However, it is advised that the patient has maintained good oral health before even considering getting dental implants. If you are considering getting dental implants, contact One Stop Implants today. Our highly trained experts are considered at the top in the field. Contact Dr. Cohen, he is waiting for your call and eager to answer your questions concerning dental implants.

Following Your Implant Procedure – What’s Next?

Dental implant surgery is very special because it allows you to have brand new teeth in your mouth. However, if you do not consider the health of your teeth afterward, your implants may fail on you. Here at One Stop Implants, we dedicate a plan that will help you feel good, and it will help you care for your implants once they are placed.

After placement, your gums surround the implants will swell, and they need to be cared for. You need to make sure you stick to a liquid diet, and that you are careful when you are brushing and flossing. They will be tender for a while, and it is better that you take it slow so that you do not hurt yourself. You need to be sure that you are careful until you are cleared to eat and drink normally.

There is little bleeding of your gums during your recovery. You do not want to let your gums keep bleeding, or it will cause infection and may lead to implant failure. You should be sure that you have your dentist’s number so you can call in if you think you are bleeding too much, and that you use gauze packs to stanch any oral bleeding. Usually the swelling will go down with the bleeding if you are using these tools. 

You can ask for pain medication if you need it, but be sure that you are working with someone who understands that you might need pain medication. The dentist can prescribe you something that will help you, and they might want to put you on antibiotics because they know that you will be prone to infection. Just do what your dentist tells you so that there is no confusion about your treatment, and make sure that you are talking to your dentist when you feel pain or have problems with infection. Your dentist needs to make sure that they can correct the problem, and you need to communicate with them effectively.

The best part of this is that you will have brand new teeth. You will have a perfect smile, and it will last forever. You just need to make sure that you get your dentist to help you manage the aftermath of the surgery.

Not sure if dental implants are right for you? Please be sure to schedule an appointment today!

Getting Ready for a Dental Implant Procedure

dental_consultation_06082016

Many times, there are people who are uncomfortable with the way that their smile looks. They may have missing teeth, and they may yearn to have that dazzling smile that they used to have in their youth. These people would benefit from having a dental implant procedure completed by a dental professional. This procedure is a breath of fresh air for those people who are looking to bring back their former smiles. 

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a prosthesis that is put in a patient’s mouth by their oral health care professional. It is, typically, composed of two parts. The first part is the post. The post is implanted into the jaw bone. This gives the post something sturdy to anchor to. The second part is the artificial tooth that is then affixed to the post. The end result is a lifelike, and functional, tooth. 

What to expect

A person that is going in to have a dental implant will usually have a consultation, examination, and the procedure. The consultation is mainly set up for the oral health care professional to review a patient’s medical history, assess their oral health, and then inform the patient about the types of options that may be available to them. It is also a time where financing for the procedure is discussed so that the patient knows what to expect in that department. A consultation is also the time for a patient to ask any questions that they may have concerning the procedure. 
Next, the examination is the time where the oral health care professional will take a close look at where the patient is thinking about having a prosthesis implanted. The oral health care professional wants to make sure that the area has enough bone and that the bone is dense enough to accept the implant. There are also x-rays that are taken as well as a cast of the patient’s existing teeth. This aids the technicians that will be crafting the artificial tooth in making it match the topography of the patient’s mouth. If everything looks good to the oral health care professional then the next part is the procedure. 
Lastly, the implant procedure can differ depending on the type of implant and where it is located. After the implant is secured in place then a temporary tooth will be affixed to it until the permanent one can be crafted. Once it is crafted, it will be secured in place on the implant.

Dental implants are a great way to update a patient’s smile. They are durable, long lasting, and cost effective.

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Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 863-8888

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(818) 786-6000

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