If you’re looking into dental implants in Encino, CA, you’ve probably already read the basics: a titanium post goes into your jawbone, it fuses over time, and a crown gets attached on top. What most explanations skip is what that actually looks like in the chair, and how much the planning technology matters before anyone touches your mouth. At The Dental Office Encino, Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard have been placing and restoring implants for patients across Encino and the surrounding valley since 1991.
Here’s what the process looks like from the first scan to the final crown.
Everything Gets Mapped Out Before Any Drilling Starts
Before your implant is placed, we take a cone beam 3D image of your jaw. This gives Dr. Howard a full picture of your bone density, nerve position, and sinus location in one scan.
That image lets the whole placement get planned on a computer first. In several of our documented cases, this level of planning allowed implants to be placed with guided surgery, meaning no scalpel and no stitches were needed at all. Not every case qualifies for that approach, but it’s the goal we work toward whenever your anatomy allows it.
What the Appointment Day Looks Like
Once the plan is set, we numb the area with local anesthesia. If you get anxious in the chair, sedation options are available too, and we’ll talk through that at your consult.
Dr. Howard places the titanium post into the jawbone using the guide created from your 3D scan. In cases where guided surgery is used, there’s no flap to cut and no sutures to place afterward. You’ll leave with a temporary cover protecting the implant site while it heals.
Healing Takes Time, and That’s a Good Thing
The implant needs to fuse with your jawbone before it can support a permanent restoration. That process, called osseointegration, typically takes several months.
During that window, you’ll wear a temporary in the gap. Once Dr. Howard confirms the implant is stable, your custom crown, bridge, or denture gets attached and adjusted for fit. Rushing this step is how implants fail, so we don’t rush it.
Some Short-Term Discomfort Is Normal
Mild swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding in the days after surgery are expected. Dr. Howard will walk you through what’s normal and what warrants a call to our office, and may prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics if needed.
Most patients are back to normal activities within a few days. Long-term, an implant-supported tooth gets brushed and flossed just like the rest of your teeth.
Keeping an Implant Healthy for the Long Haul
Once your restoration is in place, the maintenance is straightforward. Daily brushing and flossing, plus your regular cleanings, are what keep it functioning well for years.
We check every implant restoration at your annual exam and biannual cleanings here in Encino. If anything needs adjusting or repair down the road, Dr. Howard will catch it early rather than after it’s become a bigger problem.
Paying for Dental Implants in Encino
Implant costs vary depending on how many teeth are involved and whether any bone or gum grafting is needed first. Depending on your dental insurance, a portion of the surgery and the restoration may be covered.
We’ll contact your insurance company directly to sort out your actual out-of-pocket cost before treatment starts. Low-interest financing is also available if you’d rather spread the cost out, and Dr. Howard will go over all of it at your consultation.
Is an Implant the Right Call for You?
Good candidates generally have healthy gums and enough jawbone to support the post, which is exactly what that first 3D scan helps us confirm. If bone or gum health needs work first, we’ll talk through grafting options before moving forward with anything.
If you want a second opinion on your options or just want to know what an Encino dental team with decades of combined experience would recommend for your specific case, that’s exactly what the consult is for.
Ready to Talk About Your Options?
Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard can look at your case, walk you through your scan, and tell you honestly whether an implant makes sense for you. We’re at 17071 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 102, Encino, CA 91316, right where we’ve been since 1991.
Call us at 818-300-0333 or book a consultation online, and we’ll get you scheduled.
