Dental implants are an effective and natural-looking way to replace missing teeth. They very well might be the best way currently available on the market, as medical journals have shown a success rate as high as 98%. Constructed with titanium, a dental implant anchors your new tooth or teeth in place. Dental implants also give you the option of a removable or fixed solution to missing teeth, something that dental bridges cannot.
If you live in Hayward, CA, and are considering dental implants, turn to San Francisco Dental Implant Center. Our team would love to help you understand the potential boons of dental implants and go through the process with you in more detail. Learn more by reading on!
Contact us for a consult or call (415) 992-9188 now!
What Can Dental Implants Offer in Hayward, CA?
Bacteria can quickly find a home in the spots left behind by missing teeth. And worse, missing teeth makes things we usually take for granted, namely eating and speaking, much more difficult. Dental implants can help you with the aesthetics and functioning of the teeth and mouth. More importantly, they’re often a better option for your oral health. Unlike dental bridges, dental implants don’t require the reduction of surrounding teeth. They also make it easier to clean between teeth, and ridding these spaces of plaque makes a significant difference in your oral health.
How Does the Process Work?
Before anything happens, the dentist or oral surgeon must determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Generally, dental implant candidates will be able to have a routine tooth extraction or other oral surgery done without issue. Good candidates will also have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. Finally, a good candidate will be a person who exhibits good oral hygiene and sees their dentist biannually for cleanings. If you have a chronic disease, are a cigarette smoker, or had radiation done in the head and neck area, your case will most likely have to be evaluated on an individual basis.
Once a patient is determined to be a candidate for the procedure, the dentist or oral surgeon will develop a customized treatment plan that incorporates their needs. Before the new tooth can be placed, the implant is placed in the bone socket vacated by the missing tooth. Next, the patient will wait about 6 to 12 weeks for the jawbone to properly heal around the implant. A connecting piece, or abutment, is then placed over the implant. Impressions of the patient’s teeth are made and used to design the new tooth or teeth. The replacement tooth, or crown, is then placed over the implant and abutment. The new crown won’t stick out at all, as it’s matched for color with the rest of the patient’s teeth. This gives the patient’s mouth a completely natural look and feel. Patients with dental anxiety can request local anesthesia, but most patients said they had far less pain following an implant procedure than they did following a tooth extraction. Any pain or soreness felt following the procedure can usually be remedied with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
You can eat and live without any restrictions following an implant, as it looks and acts just like any other tooth in your mouth. Brush, floss, and care for your new tooth or teeth as you usually would. Dental implants have been shown to last a long time. Specifically, when cared for properly, they can last you a lifetime.
Make an Appointment with Our Oral Surgeon for Dental Implants
As you can see, there are plenty of things to like about dental implants. However, placing a dental implant can lead to more problems if a qualified dental professional isn’t the one handling the procedure. Luckily, Hayward, CA, residents don’t have to worry about this because they have San Francisco Dental Implant Center right nearby.
We can help people with missing teeth regain the full function of their mouths and get a boost to their self-esteem with dental implants. There is certainly no lack of places to go for dental implants in the Bay Area, so we do everything we can to provide a caring and friendly experience to give people every reason to come here.
Please remember that most dental insurance policies will not pay the cost of dental implants. However, they may be covered under some medical insurance policies, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the tooth loss. If you want to be completely certain, get in touch with your health insurance provider.
Even if dental implants aren’t covered by your health insurance, there’s no need to panic. We have financing options available to meet any budget, including CareCredit and Chase Health Advance. We believe as many people as possible should have access to dental care and the increased self-confidence that comes with it that they deserve.
Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns about dental implants or our financing options. We’d be happy to schedule a consultation.
