Missing teeth often affect the way you eat, speak, and feel about your smile. At Paramount Dental in Placerville, we offer dental implants that are designed to replace missing tooth roots and support natural-looking crowns, bridges, or dentures for a stronger, more confident smile.
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Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a restorative dentistry option for people who have lost teeth due to decay, gum disease, bone loss, trauma, or other oral health concerns. Here are some of the many benefits of dental implants:
- Natural-looking results: Implant-supported restorations are designed to blend with your smile.
- Improved chewing support: Implants make it easier to eat many foods because they provide a strong and stable support for fixed teeth.
- Jawbone support: Implants help stimulate the bone where a tooth root is missing so that you don’t suffer significant bone loss.
- Options for one or many missing teeth: Paramount Dental offers implant solutions ranging from single-tooth replacement to implant bridges and full-arch replacements.
- No removable appliance:Depending on your treatment plan, implant-supported teeth may be fixed in place.
The Dental Implant Process
The exact dental implant process depends on each patient’s needs, but treatment often includes the following steps:
- Consultation and treatment planning: Our implant dentist reviews your smile, medical history, gum health, bite, bone support, and smile goals. If dental implants fit your needs, you receive a recommendation and explanation of your restoration options, and then the dentist prepares the agreed-upon treatment plan.
- Preparatory care if needed: Some implant patients will need a tooth extraction, gum treatment, or bone grafting before successful implant placement. This will be part of your treatment plan if necessary.
- Implant placement: The implant post is placed in the jawbone where the missing tooth root used to be. Some patients are given a temporary tooth restoration to protect the implant and maintain the appearance.
- Healing and osseointegration: The bone heals around the implant to help secure it in place. This healing stage takes several months.
- Final restoration: Once the implant is ready, a crown, bridge, denture, or full-arch restoration is attached.
Implant Candidacy & Alternatives
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you have:
- One or more missing teeth
- Healthy gums
- Adequate bone to support the implant
- A history of good oral hygiene
- Good overall physical health
If you have an uncontrolled medical condition, a smoking habit, untreated gum disease, or a history of delayed healing, then you may not be a good candidate for implants but could consider the following alternatives:
- A dental bridge without placing an implant
- Partial or full dentures that are removable
- Save the natural tooth, if possible, using root canal therapy
- Porcelain veneers or tooth bonding to improve the tooth’s appearance without replacing it
Implant Cost & Insurance Coverage
The cost of dental implants varies because each treatment plan is customized. Factors that help determine the cost include:
- The number of missing teeth being replaced
- Whether extractions or bone grafting are needed
- The type of final restoration chosen
- X-ray, lab, and sedation fees if applicable
Restorative procedures and treatments may be partially covered by dental insurance. Our Placerville office team verifies your insurance coverage and provides you with a cost estimate before treatment begins. Feel free to ask us more about financing options, flexible payment options, and any promotions that may apply to your procedure.
Aftercare & Maintenance
After implant placement, it is normal to have some soreness and tenderness. Follow the instructions provided by the dental team closely, especially during the first stage of healing. General aftercare may include:
- Avoiding straws right after surgery
- Choosing soft foods as recommended
- Avoiding hard, crunchy, or sticky foods while the implant site heals
- Not smoking, since smoking can interfere with healing
- Cleaning the implant area gently per instructions
Long-term care for dental implants is much like caring for your natural teeth. Consistent brushing, flossing, and keeping routine dental cleanings and exams help to protect your restoration investment.
Dental Implants FAQs
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed in the jawbone where a missing tooth once was. After integrating into the jawbone, they securely support a wide variety of tooth restorations.
How long does the dental implant process take?
The entire process takes several months, which allows the implant time to heal and integrate with the jawbone. This timeframe may be more or less dependent on the number of implants placed and individual patient needs.
Do I get a tooth the same day as my implant?
Many of our patients receive a temporary restoration while their implant heals. Be sure to ask your implant specialist if you qualify.
Are dental implants better than dentures?
We believe they are. Dentures are still a practical option for some patients, especially when having to consider cost, health, or lack of bone support. However, dental implants provide more stability than traditional removable dentures and also help maintain jawbone structure.
Do dental implants hurt?
They should not hurt. The implant surgery is performed with local anesthesia, and sedation options are also available for patients who may need a little extra support. Following your surgery, some soreness is to be expected, but the dental team always provides aftercare instructions to help you heal comfortably.
Is there anything I should avoid after dental implant surgery?
To ensure the healing success of a dental implant, patients are instructed to avoid smoking, drinking through straws, alcohol if instructed, and hard or sticky foods that may disturb the implant site. Be sure to follow the personalized aftercare instructions from your implant team at Paramount Dental for the best results.
How do I care for dental implants?
Brush twice daily, clean between teeth, attend regular dental checkups, and follow your dentist’s maintenance schedule. Call (530) 295-8000 if your implant feels loose, painful, swollen, or uncomfortable.
Am I a candidate for dental implants if I have bone loss?
Bone loss does not always rule out implants. Some patients may need bone grafting, while others may qualify for full-arch implant options. A consultation is the best way to review your options.
Ready to find out whether dental implants are right for your smile? Contact Paramount Dental in Placerville to request a consultation and receive a personalized treatment plan.