Replacing Missing Teeth With Dental Implants
If you're missing teeth, you're not alone. Tooth loss is a far more common problem than you think. In fact, studies
show that 178 million people across the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are completely
edentulous (missing all their teeth). Whether you have lost one tooth or multiple ones to gum disease, tooth decay,
or a traumatic injury, the office of San Marcos Family Dental can help. We provide state-of-the-art care and offer the
latest solutions to help patients reestablish complete, healthy, and beautiful smiles.
Dental implants for a smile that looks and feels completely natural!
Today, dental implants represent the most advanced system for the replacement of missing teeth. While conventional
fixed bridges and dentures remain effective and satisfying ways to replace
missing teeth, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.
With dental implants, you can once again enjoy all your favorite foods and speak and smile with renewed confidence
and ease. Because dental implants behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth, they provide unrivaled
stability for the placement of a broad range of dental prostheses, including
crowns and bridges up to a complete set of
teeth. For patients who wear full dentures, dental implants provide the added stability and
retention required to improve comfort and fit while preventing any embarrassing slippage.
If you are struggling with tooth loss and looking for the best solutions for the replacement of missing teeth, visit
the office of San Marcos Family Dental to learn more about dental implants and all the state-of-the-art services we
provide. At the office of San Marcos Family Dental, we take pride in creating beautiful and healthy smiles!
Let The Office Of San Marcos Family Dental Help You Rebuild A Beautiful Smile
Missing teeth do more than cause embarrassing gaps in your smile. For one thing, they can also affect your ability to
speak or chew nutritious food with ease. By not replacing missing teeth, the adjacent ones can shift towards the
space over time and change your bite and compromise the health of your smile in many ways.
With all of the advances in dental materials, technology, and treatment methods available today, it's easier than
ever before to replace missing teeth with the most natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results of care.
At the office of San Marcos Family Dental, we're pleased to offer leading solutions to improve your oral health and give you
a smile you can feel confident sharing with the world. We give you back the complete smile you have lost and provide
personalized solutions for all of your oral healthcare needs. To find out more about dental implants or schedule an
appointment so that we can take a closer look at your smile, give us a call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
+What are dental implants?
Dental implants are small, biocompatible surgical posts that behave in much the same way as the roots
of natural teeth. Once placed and integrated with the surrounding bone, dental implants provide
unparalleled support for single crowns, bridges, and dentures. As the most advanced method for the
replacement of missing teeth, they offer satisfying, long-lasting, and functional solutions for
rebuilding a complete smile.
+What are the benefits of getting dental
implants?
Whether you're missing one tooth, multiple ones, or missing all your teeth, you can rebuild a
complete and beautiful smile with dental implants! According to statistics, roughly 3 million people
have already received dental implants, with that number increasing at a staggering rate of 500,000
per year! The soaring popularity of dental implants is attributed, in large part, to the numerous
benefits they offer as compared with other methods of care.
While conventional fixed bridges and
dentures provide effective and satisfying solutions for the replacement of
missing teeth, dental implants offer several advantages over traditional methods of care:
-
Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
-
With precise placement, good oral hygiene, and routine care, dental implants can last for many years.
-
Dental implants provide continued stimulation to the underlying bone to prevent the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing while preserving natural facial contours.
-
Since implants behave like natural teeth, there is no chance that they will slip or dislodge like removable dentures when speaking or eating.
-
With dental implants, it is possible to speak with ease as well as eat and taste all types of food with virtually no restrictions.
-
Dental implants do not decay and will not develop cavities.
-
Unlike a fixed bridge, dental implants do not require any preparation or crowning of teeth adjacent to the edentulous area.
+Are dental implants right for me?
If you are wondering if you're a candidate for dental implants, it's easy enough to find out. At the
office of San Marcos Family Dental, we're not only happy to take a look at your smile, but we'll also
answer all your questions and explain your best options in care. As the most versatile solution for
reestablishing a complete smile, dental implants offer a wide range of applications and can be used
to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all of the upper and lower teeth.
Rest assured that your care is in skilled and capable hands. You can count on our office for the best
solutions for your smile. We treat every smile as unique and develop personalized treatment plans
based upon your medical and dental histories, as well as your current oral health, cosmetic
expectations of care, lifestyle, and budget.
+How are dental implants placed?
It's essential to plan and meticulously execute every step in care, from initial treatment planning
and the precise placement of dental implants all the way to the design, fabrication, and insertion
of the final crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Surgery to place the dental implants is typically considered a minor surgical procedure and performed
on an outpatient basis. However, the exact extent of the procedure depends upon the type and number
of dental implants and whether or not any additional procedures are required to prepare the
supporting bone.
As your trusted partner in care, you can count on our office to keep you well informed every step of
the way. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities. We do everything we can to put you at ease
and make every visit to our office both comfortable and stress-free. Prior to your dental implant
procedure, we'll discuss your dental anesthesia, options in dental sedation, and provide detailed
pre-op and post-op care instructions.
Once your dental implant is placed, it can take a few months for it to fully integrate with the
surrounding bone. While in some cases, a same-day temporary crown or bridge can be placed to provide
an immediate and cosmetically pleasing look, permanent prostheses are typically placed when healing
and osseointegration (fusion) with the surrounding bone are completed.
+Why might I need a bone graft to get a dental
implant?
According to clinical studies, dental implants have a demonstrated long-term success rate of well
over 95%. However, the long-term stability and success of a dental implant depend upon the presence
of sufficient bone at the time of placement. In cases of periodontal disease or following the
extraction of a tooth, bone volume is often lost. By placing a bone graft in the extraction site, or
prior to the placement of a dental implant, we can establish sufficient bone support for a sturdy
and stable dental implant.
+How much do dental implants cost?
While rebuilding a complete smile with dental implants is a worthwhile investment, our office is
sensitive to the costs involved in dental care. We customize care and will discuss all treatment
options that address your oral healthcare needs, cosmetic goals, and budget. Our office is dedicated
to making care more accessible and will help patients navigate their dental insurance coverage and
optimize their benefits. We can also discuss payment plans as well as financing treatment to make
things easier for you. Feel free to contact our team with all your questions regarding methods of
payment and financing options.
8 More Questions To Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants
+Why is it so important to replace missing teeth?
Even if you've lost a back tooth that no one sees, it's essential to replace it. Missing teeth do
more than cause embarrassing gaps in your smile. In addition to affecting your ability to chew and
speak, missing teeth can also cause gradual changes to the alignment of your remaining teeth. These
changes not only affect your bite, but they have the potential to create more unsightly and
unhealthy gaps in your smile. Furthermore, without the support of a complete set of teeth, facial
contours can begin to sag, creating a more haggard look over time.
+Are dental implants suitable if I am missing more than
one tooth?
In addition to representing the most advanced solution for the replacement of missing teeth, dental
implants are also the most versatile. While an individual implant supports a crown to replace a
single tooth, additional implants can also be placed to replace multiple teeth. Even if you're
missing all your upper or lower teeth, dental implants can be used to reestablish a complete and
beautiful smile.
+How can dental implants help if I already wear full
dentures?
Dental implants can help people who wear full dentures in multiple ways. For
one thing, dental implants offer an alternative to full dentures. Because strategically placed
dental implants can support a full arch dental bridge, you can enjoy the benefits of a fixed,
non-removable, stable, and natural-looking solution for your smile.
Another way dental implants can benefit someone who wears full dentures, is by providing the denture
with added stability and retention. Specialized dental implants offer an attachment point for a full
denture so that you no longer need denture adhesives to prevent uncomfortable and embarrassing
slippage.
+Are dental implants safe?
Just like a new hip or new knee, dental implants are fabricated from the highest quality of
medical-grade biocompatible materials. While most dental implants are made of titanium, some are
fabricated from zirconia. Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible materials, which integrate
well with the hard and soft tissues in the jaw.
+Will dental implants give me a natural-looking
smile?
Dental implants behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth and are designed to support
both individual dental crowns and bridges to rebuild a complete smile. Just how aesthetically
pleasing and naturally beautiful your dental implant restorations look depends in large part on the
artistry and skill of the professionals providing your care.
At the office of San Marcos Family Dental, you can feel confident sharing your new smile with the world.
Every implant restoration that we fabricate is made from the most cosmetically pleasing, safe, and
durable dental materials. Not only will your new teeth blend seamlessly with your smile, but the
size, shape, and color will be selected for optimal facial aesthetics and harmony.
+How do I take care of my dental implants?
Taking care of your dental implants requires the same diligence it takes to care for a natural smile.
An effective oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing twice a day and flossing combined with
healthy oral habits, good nutrition, and routine dental care are the best steps you can take to
maintain your new smile. Although dental implants do not get cavities, it's essential to keep in
mind that you can still develop periodontal problems, compromising the success and longevity of your
dental implants.
As your trusted partner in care, we remain dedicated to your ongoing oral health. We'll provide you
with ample instruction in the best methods for taking care of your oral health and new smile.
+How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants enjoy the highest success rate of any implanted medical prosthesis. However, their
longevity depends on a number of factors. Enjoying the benefits of dental implants in the long term
relies upon skilled placement, adequate bone volume at the time of placement, and the level of
ongoing oral care. With proper care, well-planned and well-placed dental implants will serve you
well for many years to come.
+Why choose the office of San Marcos Family Dental?
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office values patient input, and a member of our
team is always on hand to address all your questions and concerns. We firmly believe that achieving
the best treatment outcomes depends upon successful partnerships in care. We strive to provide the
best solutions for your smile while making treatment more comfortable, accessible, and affordable.
We tailor care and meticulously treatment plan cases to address the unique requirements of every
smile. With dental implants from our office, you can once again enjoy all your favorite foods and
feel more confident in all your social and professional interactions.
If you are interested in hearing more about dental implants and whether they offer the right solution
for your smile, give us a call today. We're happy to explain all your options in care.