Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Have you lost one of your permanent teeth? If so, that gap in your smile probably makes you more self-conscious about showing it off. Moreover, living with a missing tooth compromises your chewing ability. If you are looking to replace a lost tooth in Scotts Valley, then there’s no option better than a dental implant. An implant looks and feels more like a natural tooth than any of the other available treatments in restorative dentistry.
Receiving a dental implant is a big decision. That’s why it’s important to understand every aspect of the process. Read on as we explore what you can expect from the dental implant process at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry.
Step 1: The consultation
Before any work on the implant procedure begins, you will meet with one of our dentists, either Dr. Ariana or Dr. Max Ebrahimian. At this meeting, our dentist will review your medical history, evaluate your current oral health and possibly take X-rays to determine if your jawbone is strong enough to support an implant. This consultation is also the ideal time to ask any questions about the implant process.
Step 2: The treatment plan
Are you missing a single tooth or multiple teeth? If you’ve lost more than a couple of teeth, the cost and logistics of receiving an individual implant to replace every tooth would be prohibitive. In cases of significant tooth loss, where all or most of the teeth on a single dental arch must be replaced, then implant-supported dentures could be the best option. Our dentist will review the options with you and make a recommendation of the best procedure for you. You also will receive a financial estimate of the total cost of treatment.
An implant is more expensive compared to other methods of tooth replacement but we suggest you consider the long-term benefits. With proper care, an implant should last the rest of your life. Other treatment options, such as dentures or a dental bridge, eventually will need to be repaired or replaced.
Step 3: The installation of the implant
The first, and most intensive step of the actual implant procedure is the placement of the implant itself. This is a screw made of a durable metal like titanium that is inserted surgically into your jawbone. Remember that oral surgery is still surgery. You will need to prepare for the procedure by making sure your oral hygiene is optimum and you should quit smoking at least a few weeks before the surgery appointment. Once the implant screw is in place, you will need time to heal – up to six months, although recovery time varies on a case-by-case basis – as the implant fuses with your jawbone. This is what sets apart a dental implant from other treatment options, as the implant replaces the stimulation the jawbone previously received from the tooth root. Otherwise, bone deterioration is an inevitable consequence of living with tooth loss.
Step 4: Completing the implant
Once the implant has fused with your jawbone and the healing process is complete, you return to our office in Scotts Valley to have the implant topped with a crown. An abutment is placed on the implant screw, which connects the implant to the crown. Our crowns are metal free and, with our CAD/CAM technology, can be fabricated in a matter of minutes.
Dental implants in Los Gatos, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz in California
Stop living with tooth loss. Schedule a consultation with Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry today to determine your candidacy for a dental implant procedure. Call our office at (831) 438-4411.