Dental Implants in North Hollywood, Los Angeles

A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in your jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Over several months the post fuses with the bone. A small connector called an abutment is screwed onto the post, and a custom crown, made to match the shape, size and color of your natural teeth, is then attached to it, so the result looks and feels like your own tooth.

• Long-lasting. With good care, implants are designed to last for decades.
• Natural look and feel. The crown blends in with your other teeth.
• Protect your jawbone. The implant stimulates the bone, which helps prevent the bone loss that follows tooth loss.
• Leave neighboring teeth alone. Unlike a traditional bridge, an implant does not require shaping the teeth next to the gap.
• Easy to care for. You brush and floss as usual. Nothing to remove or soak.
• Confident eating and speaking. An implant stays in place.

Most implants placed today are endosteal implants: screw-shaped posts set directly into the jawbone. They are usually made of titanium, a metal the body accepts well, and some patients ask about one-piece zirconia (ceramic) implants instead. Mini implants are narrower posts that are sometimes used to steady a lower denture. Subperiosteal implants, which sit on top of the bone under the gum tissue, are rarely used now because bone grafting usually makes a standard implant possible. At your consultation Dr. Afar explains which type and material suits your bone and your bite, and why.

Compare your choices with our pages on dentures and tooth extractions.

1. Consultation and imaging. We examine your teeth, gums and jawbone, take X-rays, review your medical history and medications, and confirm that you are a candidate.
2. Preparation. If you need an extraction or a bone graft first, we plan it and let it heal.
3. Implant surgery. The implant is placed in your jawbone under local anesthesia. Ask us about sedation options if you feel anxious. Patients who need general anesthesia are referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
4. Healing. Over about 3 to 9 months the implant fuses with the bone, a process called osseointegration.
5. Crown placement. Once healed, we attach a custom crown. You can eat, brush and floss as normal.

Healing times vary. Dr. Afar will give you a timeline based on your bone and your health.

The first days after surgery. Mild swelling and soreness are normal for two or three days. Most patients manage the pain with over-the-counter medication, cold packs and soft foods, and chew on the other side of the mouth for a while. Call us if pain gets worse instead of better, if swelling grows after the third day, or if you notice signs of infection such as a bad taste or fever. Good oral hygiene matters from day one: rinse as instructed and keep brushing the rest of your teeth gently.