Dental Implants San Ramon

What are Dental Implants?

Placed directly into the jawbone, dental implants are typically crafted from titanium, which is a metal valued for its unique ability to fuse with bone. This creates a level of stability that other tooth replacement options can't offer, keeping your new teeth securely in place and ensuring they look and feel lifelike. An abutment, a small metal connector piece, links your implant to the final crown, bridge, or denture.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Although the process for getting dental implants can take several months, the results are well worth it. Here’s a brief outline of what to expect in four broad steps:

• During an initial consultation at our office, our team will check to see how many teeth need to be replaced and make sure you meet the requirements for dental implant surgery. Some patients end up needing preliminary treatments, like a bone graft or periodontal therapy, before they can move forward with getting dental implants. We’ll make a custom treatment plan based solely on your specific needs.
• The dental implant posts will be surgically inserted directly into your jawbone. We’ll use our cone beam scanner to make sure that the posts are placed in precisely the right locations so that we can avoid complications. Anywhere from one to four or more posts can be used, depending on the number of missing teeth.
• The osseointegration process (which takes about 3 to 6 months) will allow your dental implants to fuse with your jaw. This ensures they remain stable and permanent. We can attach abutments to each implant post once osseointegration is complete.
• The last step is to design a fully personalized crown, bridge, or denture that resembles your natural teeth as closely as possible. The final restoration will be carefully attached to your implants during one last appointment. Once placed, it will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants in San Ramon continue to grow in popularity, and it's easy to see why once you consider their many advantages:

• A complete smile often brings a noticeable boost in self-confidence that can benefit you in social and professional situations.
• There's no need to worry about your replacement teeth shifting or slipping unexpectedly, meaning talking will be easier.
• You'll be able to enjoy a wider variety of foods, supporting a healthier, more balanced diet.
• Implant posts stimulate the jawbone, helping to prevent the bone loss that typically follows tooth loss.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

The best way to find out if dental implants are right for you is to consult with our experienced team. Generally speaking, most adults with sufficient jawbone density and good overall oral health are eligible candidates. From there, treatment is customized based on how many teeth you're missing. Below is an overview of how implants can address different levels of tooth loss:

Missing One Tooth

Even a single missing tooth is more than a cosmetic concern, and it's important to address the gap promptly, for the sake of your oral health. After placing an implant in the empty space and allowing time for it to bond with the jawbone, we can attach a natural-looking, tooth-colored crown to complete your smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you've lost three or more teeth in a row, you might assume you'll need an equal number of implants to fill the space, but that's often not the case. In many situations, just two implant posts are enough to support a bridge that replaces multiple teeth at once. This approach also means your remaining natural teeth won't need to be altered to accommodate the bridge!

Missing All of Your Teeth

Losing all your teeth can feel overwhelming, but implant-supported dentures make it possible to rebuild your entire smile starting from the root. While some patients opt for a removable version, many prefer a permanently anchored solution, eliminating the need to take their new teeth out for daily cleaning. Plus, these restorations aren’t just for show; they will feel and function just like your original teeth.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

While the total price varies and is best discussed directly with our team, dental implants typically involve a higher upfront investment compared to traditional bridges or dentures. However, with proper care and maintenance, implants are built to last for decades, meaning you likely won't need to budget for replacements anytime soon. This alone makes them well worth their cost!