What is the cost of dental implants in Mission Viejo?

The Academy of Implant Dentistry claims that about 30 million people in the United States have lost teeth in either one of their jaws. Dental implants are the solution for people with serious tooth loss issues. Around 6% of the U.S. population have dental implants, and this number is expected to hit 23% by 2026.

Dental Implants are popular because they take the shapes and looks of the original tooth. Therefore, they can enhance the looks of a person with healthy and strong jawbones to hold the implant. Other options that can serve as a remedy for tooth loss problems include bridges and dentures. But these cannot prevent bone loss like dental implants. That explains why dental implants are an excellent option for patients in Mission Viejo.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants refer to replacement tooth roots. These offer a superb foundation for permanent teeth and are designed to look like natural teeth. The primary goal for dental implants is to improve appearance, speech, comfort, self-esteem and eliminate the discomfort one experiences while eating with removable dentures. Besides, they promote oral health, enhance convenience, and are long-lasting. According to the experts, dental implants portray a success rate of 98.6%.

The success rate of dental implants depends on various factors, including where the implant is placed on the jaw, jaw health, and quality of the installation process.  If properly installed, dental implants can serve you for a lifetime. Before recommending dental implants, your dentist must ensure you are healthy enough to withstand oral surgery or routine dental extraction.

Also, having healthy gums is paramount because the gum needs to be strong enough to hold the dental implant. But if you have health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic disorder, you should seek advice from your physician before considering dental implant surgery.

What to Expect from Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is a worthwhile investment because it can eliminate problems related to tooth loss, including returning your smile. Although implants are more costly than other dental options, they can often be worth it to many. The costs of implants vary between patients since each case is unique.

Dental implant surgery is carried out to substitute teeth roots with metal. The missing or damaged tooth is replaced with artificial teeth that take the form and appearance of a real tooth. A well-installed dental implant offers adequate support to the new tooth. However, for this process to be effective, the bone must heal completely around the dental implant, and so the whole procedure may take months before completion. But it’s worth the wait.

Dental implants are not ideal for youngsters whose dental bone structure is still growing. Nevertheless, older teenagers can undergo the procedure. If you want a dental implant but your bone isn’t strong enough to hold the implant, a bone graft can be done. Bone deficiency can result from gum disease, aging, injury, etc. For instance, if the dental implant is to be placed on your upper jaw, the dentist will build up the bone adjacent to the sinuses. In this case, a sinus lift will be performed earlier.

Dental Implant Process

Dental Implant surgery involves several stages, and it’s an outpatient exercise. It takes several months because there is healing between stages. Here is what it entails.

1. Dental Examination

During a dental examination, a dentist evaluates the health status of a candidate because not everyone is eligible for dental implants. Furthermore, it helps the dentist develop a suitable treatment plan since each patient has unique needs. The exam typically involves taking an x-ray, carrying out a visual exam, and reviewing your medical history. If you have a weak immune system, you’ll need to be treated beforehand. And, if you are under medication that could interrupt the dental surgery, your dentist may reschedule your treatment.

2. Eliminating Damaged Teeth or Tooth

Oral surgeons or dentists (with specialized skills) perform tooth removal procedures. The dentist or oral surgeon will numb the region surrounding the tooth to be removed using a local anesthetic injection. This is done to ensure that you don’t feel pain during the process.

3. Jawbone Preparation

If your dentist notices that your bone is weak and can’t hold the implant, they may perform bone grafting. Jaw bone deterioration happens when your jaw loses some vital bone tissues due to tooth loss.

Remember that tooth loss causes you to lose roots that stimulate the jawbone. The stimulation triggers your body to provide the bones with essential nutrients that help strengthen the bone. Without the roots, stimulation ends and low nutrients supply lead to jaw bone deterioration.

If your jaw bone is weak, bone grafting can increase your chances of receiving dental implants. Through bone grafting, your tissues will be rebuilt to enable your jawbone to hold the implants. An effective graft will boost the jawbone’s width and height, making implants a suitable option for you.

4. Dental Implant Placement

After preparing the jawbone, the dentist will drill into your jawbone and insert the implant into its place. But after doing so, healing time is needed, but with a minor bone graft, the two surgeries may be carried out simultaneously.

Since the implant has an artificial tooth root, it’s inserted deeper into your bone like the original tooth. You’ll be left to heal so that the bone can grow around the implant. This process is referred to as osseointegration. During this period, you’ll have to wear a removable denture to seal the gap left by your missing tooth.

5. Abutment Placement

After three to four months, sufficient bone will have grown, providing ample support to the implant expected to hold the crown. At this stage, the abutment is placed, and the dentist will close the edges of the gum region.

Note that additional minor surgery is performed during this process to reopen the gum to attach the abutment to the implant. Once the abutment is completed, you will need some more time for your gum to heal- this will take around 4-6 weeks.

6. Placement of the Artificial Tooth

This is the last stage and involves placing the artificial tooth. The crown is customized to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth. To achieve this, the dentist makes digital impressions of your other teeth and the jaw following the abutment placement.

What Are the Side Effects?

Dental implant surgery has no severe side effects, but you may still experience some discomforts. These include;

 Swelling of the face and gums

 Some pain at the implant region

 Minor bleeding

 Bruising the gums and the skin, etc.

After the procedure, the dentist may recommend some antibiotics to relieve pain and prevent infection at the implant site. But if the pain or discomfort exceeds, you should get in touch with your oral surgeon.

Dental implants are a great teeth replacement option. Although implants cost more, they last longer and take your natural teeth’ shape, size, and appearance. Contact your dentist in Mission Viejo, California, to learn more about dental implant procedures.