Minimally invasive and precise implant placement
Dental Implants in the EL Cajon Area
When you have broken, missing, or decayed teeth, it’s not only bad for your oral health, it can be damaging to your self-confidence. In the past, things like bridges and dentures were the best method of tooth replacement, but they don’t fully restore the function of your teeth the way you might want them to.
Fortunately, modern dental technology has allowed for a vastly improved tooth replacement method: dental implants.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are a tooth replacement procedure that uses a titanium post and a natural-looking porcelain crown to restore function to your mouth and provide you with a healthy smile.
The dental implant is fused to the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration, which gives it far greater strength than any other tooth replacement procedure.
Dental Implant Services
If you want to replace your broken, decayed, or missing teeth so that you can smile with confidence again, Rancho San Diego Dental Group is here to help. We provide dental implant services to customers from all over Rancho San Diego, Jamul, Spring Valley, El Cajon, and La Mesa.
Our dentists and specialists are experts in all procedures and technologies concerning dental implants. We’re passionate about helping people look and feel their best.
At Rancho San Diego Dental Group, we do whatever we can to see that you get the treatment you need, and that includes offering affordable payment plans. Reach out to us today to learn more.
The Dental Implant Procedure
If you believe that a dental implant could be a useful procedure for you, you must first see a family dentist for a consultation. There, we will speak with you and perform an oral exam to determine whether you are a viable candidate.
Sometimes when significant bone loss has occurred due to missing teeth, a bone graft procedure may be necessary prior to the implant procedure. This is something we will determine during your consultation, as well.
If we determine that you are a viable candidate, you can then schedule your procedure. We will give you some pre-op instructions to follow. This may include information about how to prepare for your procedure and some things you may want to avoid to ensure that the procedure is a success.
The dental implant procedure typically takes place over two different appointments, usually several months apart. This is because it takes time for osseointegration to occur so that your dental implant is strong enough to handle any pressure you might put on it.
When you begin your procedure, you can expect to be numbed with a local anesthetic or given IV sedation to ensure that the process is as easy and as comfortable as possible. After this, we will make a small incision in your gums, place the implant, seal the gums back over it. Then, all you have to do is wait for the bone to grow around it.
After we have determined that the implant has successfully fused with your jawbone, we will then place an abutment in it and attach a natural-looking crown where your tooth once was.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Are you weighing your options for tooth replacement procedures? Take a look at these major reasons why dental implants are a great choice.
They Look Natural
The porcelain crown used to replace your tooth in a dental implant procedure is designed to look just like a natural tooth. These crowns can be customized to match the exact color of your existing natural teeth.
They Restore Function
Not being able to chew in certain areas of your mouth can be uncomfortable, and eating with broken, decayed, or missing teeth can be painful. Dental implants are nearly as strong as natural teeth, so you can have just about all of your bite power restored, and your eating habits can return to normal.
They Help Prevent Bone Loss
Missing teeth can result in a loss of bone in the jaw over time. This can lead to a number of issues, including a change in your facial structure. Dental implants stimulate bone growth to help you maintain a healthy jawbone and keep your facial structure the way it is.
They Can Bring Back Your Smile
The natural look of your implants will restore your smile to its former glory or maybe even make it better than it ever was. No more feeling self-conscious every time you flash your teeth in front of others.
The Types of Dental Implants
There are actually a few different types of dental implants that we might recommend based on your particular needs. We’ve detailed each of them below.
New Teeth in One Day
Otherwise known as all-on-four dental implants, this procedure can restore even the most flawed smile in a matter of just one day, even if significant bone loss has occurred. It uses four strategically placed dental implants that are able to support an entire row of teeth. No bone grafting is required for this procedure.
Replacing a Single Tooth
The single-tooth dental implant is a single titanium post with an abutment and dental crown used to replace a missing tooth that is surrounded by healthy natural teeth. An alternative to this is the dental bridge, but dental bridges are not as strong, and they eventually require replacement, making them the more expensive option in the long run.
Replacing Multiple Teeth
When multiple consecutive teeth are missing, they can be replaced by either individual implants or by an implant-supported bridge. The implant-supported bridge requires fewer individual implants than the number of teeth it replaces, making it an easier and more cost-effective procedure.
Replacing All Your Teeth
When an entire row of teeth is beyond repair, sometimes the best option is either an implant-supported bridge or implant-supported dentures. Both involve the strategic placement of individual implants so that only a few of them can support the entire bridge or denture.
These options provide a more natural look and significantly more stability, which means greater comfort and superior chewing ability. Reach out to our team at Rancho San Diego Dental Group to learn more.
