Dental implants are a popular way of replacing missing teeth. They look fully natural and have proven to be highly effective, with scientific journals showing a success rate of up to 98%. Made using titanium, dental implants anchor your new tooth or teeth in place. Plus, dental implants offer flexibility. Unlike dental bridges, dental implants give you the option of a removable or fixed solution to missing teeth.
San Francisco Dental Implant Center is here to help patients in the San Carlos, CA area, learn more about dental implants and how they can help. We can explain all the benefits of the procedure to you as well as walk you through it. Keep reading to learn more.
Contact us for a consult or call (415) 992-9188 now!
What Are the Potential Benefits of Dental Implants?
When you lose a tooth, a gap is left behind in your mouth. There, bacteria have the potential to grow and breed, causing oral hygiene issues. Also, tooth loss makes eating and speaking much more difficult, two things we usually don’t even have to think about. Dental implants can help bring both the look and functioning of your teeth, lips, and mouth back to normal. But more importantly, your overall oral health should improve, as there are no more empty spaces. Furthermore, the teeth around the implant don’t have to be filed down as they do with dental bridges. Finally, implants make it much easier to clean in between teeth, which in turn means less plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.
How Are Dental Implants Put In?
Before anything can be done, the dentist or oral surgeon must first determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. If you’re able to have a routine tooth extraction or other oral surgery performed without any issues, you should be considered a candidate for dental implants. The right candidate will also have healthy gums and enough bone structure to support the implant. Finally, the right candidate will be a person who practices proper oral hygiene and visits their dentist for cleanings twice a year. If you are a cigarette smoker, suffer from a chronic illness, or have had radiation performed in the head and neck area, your candidacy will have to be determined on an individual basis.
Once it’s determined that you’re a candidate, the dentist or oral surgeon will come up with a customized treatment plan that incorporates your needs. Before the new tooth can be put in, the implant is placed in the bone socket vacated by the missing tooth. You’ll then wait for the jawbone to heal around the implant, usually over a period of 6-12 weeks. An abutment, which connects the implant to the new tooth, is then placed. Impressions of your teeth are taken, which are then used to design the new tooth or teeth. Also known as a crown, the replacement tooth is then put in over the implant and abutment. The crown is matched for color with your other teeth, creating a completely natural look and feel. If you want, you can use local anesthesia, but most patients reported far less pain following a dental implant than following a tooth extraction. Any pain or soreness following the procedure can usually be remedied with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
You can eat and live a normal life without any worries after your implant, as it looks and feels just like your other teeth. Brush, floss, and care for your new tooth or teeth as recommended by your dentist. Dental implants have been shown to be exceptionally durable, illustrated by the fact that they can last the rest of your life if you take care of them properly.
Make an Appointment with Us for Dental Implants near San Carlos, CA
As you can see, dental implants can improve the appearance and function of your mouth as well as your self-confidence. But please note that you can end up with more problems than you started with if the implant isn’t placed by a qualified oral surgeon. Thankfully, San Carlos, CA, residents have the San Francisco Dental Implant Center close by, so they never have to worry. We can help patients with missing teeth regain their self-esteem with dental implants. There are certainly plenty of providers of dental implants in the Bay Area, so we make sure to provide a caring and friendly experience, setting ourselves apart from the others.
We’d like to advise all potential patients that your dental insurance policy will likely not cover the cost of dental implants. However, some medical insurance policies may cover them, depending upon exactly what caused you to lose the tooth or teeth in question. If you want to be completely sure, get in touch with your health insurance provider.
Even if your health plan doesn’t cover dental implants, there’s no need to worry. We have plenty of financing options available, including CareCredit and Chase Health Advance. We feel as many people as possible should be able to receive the dental care they deserve.
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants and determine whether you’d be a good candidate for them, we invite you to make an appointment with our office.
