If you’re missing teeth, dental implants may be an option worth thinking about. Dental implants might be the best tooth replacement option currently available on the market. Made using titanium, dental implants play the vital function of giving your new tooth a place to root. Dental implants give you a permanent solution to missing teeth, as opposed to one that must be removed for cleaning, like dental bridges.
Patients in Los Altos, CA, should turn to the San Francisco Dental Implant Center for everything when it comes to dental implants. Our friendly, caring staff can explain the benefits of dental implants and the procedure in greater detail. Learn more by reading on!
Contact us for a consult or call (415) 992-9188 now!
What Is the Purpose of Dental Implants?
Bacteria will quickly find a home in your mouth, more specifically in the spaces left by missing teeth. Also, missing teeth can negatively affect eating and speaking, making these necessary things much more difficult. Dental implants can improve both the look and function of your teeth and mouth. But far more importantly, dental implants can serve as a healthier alternative to tooth replacement because the surrounding teeth don’t require reduction as they do with dental bridges. Dental implants also make it easier to clean in between teeth, in turn ensuring that plaque and tartar don’t build up there.
How Does the Placement Process Work?
Before any treatments can begin, our oral surgeon must determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants. Good candidates will usually be able to have oral surgery done, like a tooth extraction, without any issues. A good candidate should also have good oral health and enough bone for the implant, i.e., enough of a foundation to support it. Finally, the right candidate will be a person who illustrates sound oral hygiene and has their teeth cleaned twice a year by their dentist. If you smoke cigarettes, suffer from a chronic disease, or have had radiation in the head and neck area, your dental professional will need to closely examine your medical history and health to determine your candidacy.
Our oral surgeon will then design an individualized treatment plan, which, of course, will incorporate all your unique needs. The first part of the procedure is the placement of the dental implant in the bone socket vacated by the missing tooth. Then, the jawbone must be given time to heal around it, which typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. A connecting piece, known as an abutment, is then placed over the implant. Impressions of your existing teeth are taken to perfectly match your new tooth or teeth to them. The replacement tooth, also known as a crown, is then put over the implant and abutment. This crown won’t stick out, as the dentist or oral surgeon will use color-matching technology to ensure your new teeth are the same color as the rest, giving them a completely natural look and feel. People with sensitive teeth or dental anxiety can choose local anesthesia, but most patients reported far less pain following an implant procedure than they did following a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen is typically all that’s needed to treat any pain or soreness following the procedure.
You can eat and live without any limits following an implant, as it looks and functions just like any other tooth. Brush, floss, and care for your new tooth as your dentist tells you. Dental implants have been shown to be exceptionally durable. When cared for properly, they can last the rest of your life.
Contact Us Today to See an Oral Surgeon for Your Dental Implants
Clearly, the possibilities are limitless when it comes to dental implants. However, a dental implant that isn’t placed properly by a qualified dentist or oral surgeon can cause more problems than it solves. Los Altos, CA residents don’t have to worry because they have San Francisco Dental Implant Center only a short drive away. We can help patients with missing teeth regain their self-esteem with dental implants. There is certainly no shortage of places to go for dental implants in the Bay Area, so we make sure to provide a caring and friendly experience, separating ourselves from the pack.
Please remember that most dental insurance plans will not pay for the cost of dental implants. Some medical insurance policies may cover them, but it depends on how you lost the tooth or teeth in question. If you want to be 100% certain, get in touch with your health insurance provider.
While dental implants may or may not be covered under your health insurance policy, they may still be within your reach. We have financing options available to fit any budget, including CareCredit and Chase Health Advance. We believe as many people as possible should be able to afford the dental care they deserve. Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns about dental implants or our financing options.
If you’d like to have an in-depth conversation about dental implants, please get in touch with our office, and we’d be happy to schedule an appointment.
