Your mouth was designed to function with all of its teeth working together in harmony, and when one or more teeth aren’t there to do their job, the whole system can suffer. Missing teeth leave an open empty space in your smile into which your remaining teeth can drift, changing the alignment of your bite and leading to excessive wear-and-tear on your teeth and problems with your jaw.Your tooth roots also naturally provide healthy stimulation to your jawbone. When you’re missing teeth, your jawbone lacks that stimulation, which leads to bone loss as your jaw no longer regenerates as much new tissue.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that Dr. Mizrahi surgically embeds into your jawbone. They’re made from biocompatible substances that your body doesn’t recognize as a foreign object, enabling your implant to fuse with your jawbone as you recover from the surgery to place them. Most implants are made from titanium, but Dr. Mizrahi also offers zirconia or white implants as a metal-free alternative for patients who have allergies or autoimmune diseases. Once fused with your jawbone, your implant provides an exceptionally sturdy foundation for a dentist to place a restoration, like a crown, bridge, or dentures. The implant-restoration combination gives you a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth.

After obtaining a 3D cone beam CT scan, Dr. Mizrahi will determine if your bone is sufficient for the placement of an implant.  If you need additional bone, she may recommend additional bone grafting procedure.  Once it’s determined that you are a candidate for the implant placement, in some cases, the impression of your mouth is made for the fabrication of a surgical guide to assist in a more accurate placement of the implant.  In some cases, this step is not indicated.  You have an option of IV sedation and/or anesthesia for your comfort during the procedure.  Once you’re anesthetized, Dr. Mizrahi makes an incision in your gum, drills a hole in your jawbone, and places your implant. In some instances, the procedure can be done without any cuts or incisions and is called: “flapless” procedure.  Your jawbone fuses with your implants as you heal over the next three to six months. During this healing phase, your primary dentist provides you with temporary restorations so that you don’t have to go toothless.Once your implantsare firmly set in your jawbone, your restorative dentist takes an impression of your mouth and makes your restoration.

During your consultation visit with Dr. Mizrahi, a 3D cone beam CT scan will be done to determine the suitability of dental implants in your oral cavity.  Dr. Mizrahi has successfully placed implants in immuno-compromised patients with history of diabetes, chemotherapy, and even radiation therapy.