Given the relative complexity of the implant dentistry process, many patients have a number of questions and concerns about the procedure and what it entails. We’d like to take this opportunity to answer some of the most common questions that patients have about dental implant. We will not be able to address all concerns in great detail, but this will provide a good overview for those unfamiliar with the procedure and what it involves.

What dental problems are associated with missing teeth?

There are many aesthetic problems and health concerns associated with missing teeth.

On the aesthetic side, a smile that is missing teeth is less appealing and may make a person with missing teeth feel self-conscious.

On the health concerns side, missing teeth can reduce the strength and effectiveness of your bite, making you unable to chew properly. Loss of jawbone density and gum recession are common in the area of the missing tooth or teeth, and your remaining teeth may gradually shift out of place over time.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots which are surgically embedded into your jawbone and gum tissues. They are made of titanium so that they will not be rejected by your body following the surgery.

What can dental implants do?

Dental implants are able to effectively hold dentures, dental bridges, and dental crowns in place just as if they were natural tooth roots.

How are dental implants placed?

Dental implants are placed in a multi-step process. The first step of the dental implants process is the consultation to determine if dental implants are right for you. The next step of the process is the oral surgery in which the dental implants will be placed. The third step is the healing and recovery period, during which time the dental implants fuse with your actual mouth structures. The final step will be the placement of the final dental restoration.

How long does the dental implants process take?

The dental implants process will take up to several months from beginning to end, and will vary from patient to patient. This duration is necessary to ensure the dental implants are properly integrated with the jawbone and gum tissue.

How effective are dental implants?

Dental implants are quite effective. They are able to hold dental restorations in place securely as if they were natural tooth roots, and implant-supported dental restorations tend to look better than removable dental restorations. Other benefits of dental implants include the elimination of issues such gradual tooth misalignment, bone loss, and gum recession.

Who are good candidates for dental implants?

Good candidates for dental implants are people in good general health with sufficient bone mass and gum density in place to support dental implants.

What treatments are available if I do not qualify for dental implants?

In some cases, patients who do not immediately qualify for dental implants may be able to undergo a gum grafting or bone grafting procedure. These will build up those respective structures of the mouth so that they are sturdy enough to support dental implants. If patients are ineligible for those treatments, they can still get removable dental restorations.

What is the cost of dental implants?

The average cost of dental implants will vary depending on a number of factors, including the number implants required, the complexity of your case, and your geographic region. Generally, though, the price will range between $1,000 to $4,000 per dental implant.

Will dental implants be covered by my insurance?

In some cases, dental implants may be covered by your dental insurance or medical insurance depending on your provider. (It’s important that you discuss this directly with your provider.) With that in mind, there are numerous payment plans and financing options for dental implants that are available.

How can I learn more about implant dentistry?

If you would like more information about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today.

One of the best options to deal with missing teeth is getting dental implants. Implant dentistry involves the surgical placement of artificial tooth roots. Once the dental implants have been properly integrated with the jawbone and soft tissues, they will be sturdy enough to support a dental bridge, a denture, or individual dental crowns. While dental implants have an impressive success rate of 95%, not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. Let’s take a moment to look at who the ideal candidates for dental implants are.

Ideal Candidates for Implant Dentistry

The best candidates for dental implants are patients who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and are in generally good health. These candidates should have sufficient bone density in the jaw and sufficient gum tissue, both of which are important for supporting the dental implants.

Patients with health conditions that may prevent them from undergoing any sort of surgery are NOT good candidates for dental implants. In addition, young patients whose jawbones have not fully developed will NOT be eligible for dental implants until they are older and have finished growing.

Bone Grating and Soft Tissue Augmentation

If a patient does not have sufficient bone density in the jaw due to bone loss or sufficient gum tissue due to gum recession, there are two potential treatments that may still allow them to get dental implants. These treatments are bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation.

A bone grafting surgery will involve the use of bone from another part of the body (often the hip) which is surgically grafted to the jaw in order to build up bone density. In some cases, synthetic bone can be used rather than donor bone.

Soft tissue augmentation is similar to bone grafting in some ways. In this procedure, soft tissue is taken from the palette (the roof of the mouth) and placed in the area in which the gums have receded. This will build up the gumline in that area.

Candidacy for both or either of these treatments will need to be discussed with your dentist or a prosthodontist as a number of factors must be considered. Also keep in mind that undergoing these treatments will add an additional step to the implant dentistry process.

Alternative Treatments

If a patient is not a good candidate for dental implants and is not eligible for bone grafting and gum augmentation, it’s likely that they will simply receive removable dental restorations. That said, always remember that your dentist will work diligently to find the best possible solution for you regardless your candidacy for dental implants.

To learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today for more information.

There are many advantages to getting dental implants over removable dental restorations. While some of these advantages may seem obvious to some extent, there are other advantages that are not so obvious. Let’s take a moment right now to look at the many aesthetic and dental health advantages to getting dental implants placed.

Improved Stability Over Removable Restorations

One of the most obvious benefits to getting dental implants is that they provide enhanced stability and security for dental bridges, dentures, and individual dental crowns. Since the dental implants are fused with bone and gum tissue, they function just as natural tooth roots would. You do not need to worry about your dental restorations slipping out of place when speaking, laughing, or yawning.

Improved Bite Strength With Dental Restorations

Because of the increased stability of your dental restorations, your bite strength is much better with dental implants than it would be using removable dental restorations. Slippage of the restorations while chewing is no longer a worry.

Eliminates Cosmetic Problems Associated With Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your smile. In fact, multiple missing teeth can greatly alter the appearance of your face when your mouth is closed, especially around the lips. Dental implants will hold your dental restorations in place securely so that they look natural, restoring your appearance.

Eliminates Bone Loss and Gum Recession

When you’re missing a tooth, many changes can occur in the area of the tooth gap. Since there is no longer a tooth or a tooth root to be supported, the jawbone and gum tissue in the area of the gap tend to recede. By getting dental implants, you will restore a root in the area of the gap, preventing bone loss and gun recession, both of which can have serious impact on your dental health.

Eliminates Gradual Tooth Misalignment

In addition to bone loss and gum recession, gradual tooth misalignment can occur when you lose a tooth or multiple teeth. Dental implants will not just restore the root structure and prevent the loss of bone density and recession of soft tissues, it will also hold dental restorations in place and prevent gradual tooth misalignment.

To learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today for more information.

Getting dental implants placed is a months-long process, but this is deliberately done to ensure the overall effectiveness and stability of treatment. By taking time with the consultation and recovery process, patients will reap the benefits of dental implants in the long run with fewer complications. We’d like to take this opportunity to go through the various steps of the dental implants process so you understand what you can expect.

The Implant Dentistry Consultation

The first step of the process is a consultation with your dentist or a prosthodontist. During this consultation, an evaluation of your dental health is performed to assess whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants. This assessment will include an examination of the health of your gums as well as the condition of your jawbone. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a grafting or augmentation surgery to build up sufficient bone density or gum tissue.

The Oral Surgery

If you are a good candidate for dental implants, the next step of the process will be the oral surgery. Patients will be placed under anesthesia to eliminate any pain and discomfort. During the surgery itself, the dental implants will be anchored into your jawbone and gum tissue. Patients will be given a temporary dental restoration after surgery as well as detailed instructions for post-operative care.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Sedation Dentistry Pleasanton, sometimes referred to as Relaxation Dentistry is a treatment dentist’s use to manage anxiety during dental appointments. Dr. Tadros will prescribe a sedative drug to be taken by mouth prior to your scheduled dental appointment. If a patient has an even greater degree of dental anxiety, the doctor may prescribe an oral conscious sedative to be taken at home one hour prior to going to sleep on the evening before the appointment. Patients taking oral sedatives must have someone available to drive them to and from their dental visits.

The Healing and Recovery Period

This step in the dental implants process may be the most crucial. While patients will be up and about not long after surgery, the healing and recovery process for dental implants technically takes between three to six months, and sometimes even up to a year. This is because a process known as osseointegration needs to take place.

Osseointegration is the process by which the dental implants will fuse with the jawbone and gum tissue, making the implants one with your mouth structures. Once the dental implants are properly joined with your bone and gum tissue, they will be able to hold dental restorations in place as if they were natural tooth roots. It is imperative that this healing process not be rushed or sped up.

Placing the Permanent Dental Restoration

Once osseointegration is complete, patients will return to their dentist to get their permanent dental restoration. These restorations will be crafted in a dental lab and will look as natural as possible, blending seamlessly with your existing teeth.

To learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today for more information.

For decades, removable dental restorations such as dental bridges and dentures have been used to effectively address problems associated with missing teeth. The use of dental implants has provided many great benefits for patients, however. Still, people wonder why they should get dental implants rather than opting for removable dental restorations. There are plenty of reasons why, and we’d like to cover a few of the major ones right now.

Dental Implants Function Just Like Natural Tooth Roots

More than anything, we like to stress that dental implants function just like natural tooth roots. This offers a number of dental health advantages. For one, your bite strength with dental restorations will be comparable to your bite strength with your natural teeth. In addition, there is added stability with dental implants compared to removable dental restorations. And since the dental implants function just like natural roots, bone loss and gum recession as a result of missing root structure is eliminated.

Aesthetic Improvements Over Removable Restorations

With traditional removable dental restorations, there is sometimes a noticeable seam line between the dental restoration and the patient’s natural gumline. (This seam can become more pronounced over time if the gums recede.) With dental implants, this seam line is practically eliminated, which means that dental restorations appear even more natural.

Dental Implants Have High Success Rates

When treating the upper jaw and lower jaw, dental implants have proven remarkably effective. Studies have shown that the success rate of dental implants is an astounding 95%.

The Oral Surgery is Safe and Effective

Because the dental implants process is so deliberate, the oral surgery is safe and effective for many patients. During the initial consultation, we’ll be able to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If not, we’ll recommend alternative treatments for you and your needs.

Non-Candidates May Become Candidates

One of the great things about this initial consultation is that even if you are not initially a good candidate for dental implants, other procedures may be performed to make you eligible for dental implants. If you do not have sufficient bone density in the jaw, a bone grafting surgery may be performed to build sufficient bone density. Similarly, if you do not have sufficient gum tissue to support a dental implant, gum augmentation surgery can be performed to build up gum tissue.

To learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today for more information.

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, you should consider getting dental implants. Dental implants will provide much more stability and security for dental restorations such as dentures, dental bridges, and dental crowns. Since some people may be unfamiliar with what dental implants are exactly, it’s best that we provide a general breakdown of the dental implants procedure, what dental implants can do, what the advantages of dental implants are, and the financial concerns that patients may have about implant dentistry.

About Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are used to support dental restorations. A common misconception is that the dental implants are the artificial teeth themselves, though this is not the case. The dental implants are generally made of titanium so that they can properly fuse with human tissues without complications. Dental implants were first used in professional dentistry in the 1950s, with many advances in techniques and effectiveness occurring in the decades since.

How are Dental Implants Placed?

The dental implants procedure is broken down into a few basic steps. The first step is your consultation, during which time it will be determined if dental implants are right for you. The second step will be the oral surgery to place the dental implants. The third step will be your recovery period, during which time the dental implants will become integrated with your jawbone and gum tissue. The final step takes place when you are completely healed and involves the placing of your permanent dental restoration.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

There are numerous benefits to dental implants. The increased stability of dental restorations is one of the most notable of these benefits. Bite strength with implant-supported dental restorations is better than bite strength of removable dental restorations, and there is far less chance of slippage. Dental implants also prevent gum recession, loss of bone density, and tooth misalignment over time, all of which occur when there is no tooth root structure in place.

The Average Cost of Dental Implants

The average cost of dental implants will vary from patient to patient based on the complexity of the case and the experience of the dental team. Additionally, the price of treatment will vary to some degree based on your geographic location. With that said, the cost of dental implants on average ranges between $1,000 to $4,000 per dental implant.

Even though the cost of getting dental implants may seem prohibitive, you should know that there are plenty of payment plans and financing options for dental implants available. These will break payments for dental implants into manageable monthly installments so that you can create a budget and plan ahead.

To learn more about implant dentistry and how it can benefit you or someone that you know, be sure to contact us today for more information.

Contact Dr. Ray Tadros

If you live in the Pleasanton CA area and are looking for outstanding cosmetic dentistry, neuromuscular care, restorative treatment, or another dental option, look no further than Dr. Ray Tadros. Dr. Ray Tadros provides exceptional treatment for numerous dental problems, including broken or missing teeth, and aesthetic flaws.

We provide a range of treatment options, including dental implants, neuromuscular dentistry, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic solutions such as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. Whatever your dental problem, our team will provide a lasting solution to restore your smile. To schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, fill out the form below, and a member of our team will contact you shortly.

Office Location

Dr. Tadros
1024 Serpentine Lane #114
Pleasanton , CA 94566
(p) 925-337-8335

Payment Plans and Financing Options

You do not need to worry about financial issues preventing you from getting your Dental Implant treatment. At Dr. Ray Tadros, we have a number of financing options and payment plans to consider that can ease financial burdens you may face.