Dental implants offer a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, helping restore the appearance, comfort, and function of your smile. An implant acts as an artificial tooth root, supporting a custom-designed crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture.
At Newport Dental Arts in Newport Beach, Dr. Russell Kelly combines advanced digital imaging with personalized restorative dentistry to plan implant treatment around your oral health, bite, and individual needs. The practice's in-house dental laboratory supports the design and fabrication of natural-looking restorations.
Whether you're missing one tooth or considering options for replacing several teeth, a consultation can help determine whether dental implants are right for you.
Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth by providing a stable foundation for custom restorations. Depending on your oral health and treatment needs, they may offer several advantages:
Replace a missing tooth without reshaping healthy neighboring teeth. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, a single implant can support its own crown.
Restore comfortable chewing and speaking. Implant-supported restorations can improve stability and everyday function.
Help preserve jawbone. Implants can stimulate the surrounding bone and help limit bone loss following tooth loss.
Support multiple tooth replacement options. Implants can anchor individual crowns, bridges, or certain types of dentures.
Create a natural-looking smile. Custom restorations are designed to complement your surrounding teeth.
Dental implants aren’t appropriate for everyone. Dr. Kelly evaluates your gums, available bone, medical history, and bite before recommending a treatment plan.
Dental implant treatment is planned around your oral health, available jawbone, and the number of teeth being replaced. The process generally includes four stages.
1. Consultation and Digital Imaging
Dr. Kelly evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, and jawbone using a clinical examination and digital imaging. This helps determine whether implants are appropriate and whether additional treatment, such as bone grafting, may be necessary.
2. Implant Placement
A dental implant is surgically positioned in the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. Depending on your treatment plan, placement may be performed by Dr. Kelly or a collaborating dental specialist.
3. Healing and Bone Integration
Over the following months, the surrounding bone gradually integrates with the implant in a process called osseointegration. This healing period helps create a stable foundation for the final restoration.
4. Custom Restoration and Final Placement
Once healing is complete, digital impressions or scans help guide the design of your custom crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture. Newport Dental Arts’ in-house laboratory supports the restoration process, with attention to appearance, fit, and function.
The overall treatment timeline varies by patient, particularly when extractions, bone grafting, or additional healing are needed.
Dental implants are designed to provide long-term tooth replacement. With proper care, the implant post placed in the jawbone can last for decades and may last a lifetime. However, long-term success depends on factors such as gum health, bone support, oral hygiene, and overall health.
The crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant may need repair or replacement sooner. Dental crowns often last approximately 10 to 15 years, although individual results vary.
To help protect your dental implants:
Brush twice daily and clean carefully around your implant restoration.
Floss or use dentist-recommended tools to clean between teeth and around implants.
Maintain regular dental examinations and professional cleanings.
Avoid chewing ice or using your teeth to open packages.
Ask about a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth.
Avoid tobacco, which can affect healing and long-term implant health.
At Newport Dental Arts, Dr. Kelly monitors the health of your implant restorations, surrounding gums, and bite to help identify potential problems early.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Many adults with missing teeth may be candidates for dental implants. Healthy gums, adequate jawbone, and good overall health are important considerations. Even if you’ve experienced bone loss, additional procedures may make implant treatment possible. Dr. Russell Kelly uses a clinical examination and digital imaging to evaluate your options.
How long does dental implant treatment take?
Dental implant treatment often takes several months because the implant needs time to integrate with the jawbone. The timeline varies depending on whether extractions, bone grafting, or other preparatory procedures are needed. Your dentist will explain the expected stages during your consultation.
Is getting a dental implant painful?
Dental implant placement is generally performed with local anesthesia to help keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some swelling, tenderness, or discomfort afterward is common and typically improves as healing progresses. Recovery experiences vary depending on the complexity of treatment.
Can a dental implant replace just one missing tooth?
Yes. A single dental implant can support a custom crown to replace one missing tooth without requiring neighboring healthy teeth to be reshaped, as may be necessary with a traditional dental bridge. Your dentist will evaluate whether an implant is the best option for your situation. Depending on your dental needs, a traditional dental crowns may also be an option for replacing a missing tooth.
How much do dental implants cost in Newport Beach?
The cost of dental implants depends on factors such as the number of teeth being replaced, available jawbone, surgical requirements, and the type of final restoration. At Newport Dental Arts, a consultation with Dr. Kelly can help clarify your treatment options and provide an individualized estimate.
At Newport Dental Arts, Dr. Russell Kelly combines personalized restorative dentistry with advanced digital imaging and an in-house dental laboratory. These resources support careful treatment planning and the design of custom implant restorations that complement your natural teeth.
Digital imaging helps evaluate jawbone anatomy and important surrounding structures when planning implant treatment. The practice’s in-house laboratory supports the fabrication and customization of implant crowns and other restorations, with attention to fit, appearance, and function.
Whether you need to replace a single tooth or are exploring options for several missing teeth, Dr. Kelly can help you understand the available treatments and determine an appropriate next step.
