If visiting your dentist leaves you with a treatment plan for dental implants, it’s essential to understand your options and financial obligations before moving forward. Below, we lay out the details of dental implant costs, what you can expect from the procedure and treatment and how to address any concerns. Your smile means the world to us, and dental implants are a great way to keep your smile strong, your mouth healthy.
What Are Dental Implants and How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are screws made of titanium that are surgically placed into the jawbone below the gums where there are missing teeth. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them, either as a single crown or a dental bridge. Your new tooth will look and feel similar to your real teeth. Dental implants work like a natural tooth, giving you the ability to eat in a more natural way than other options. Unlike other tooth-replacement methods, dental implant surgery also helps prevent the jawbone from deteriorating, as they not only replace your missing tooth, but restore the missing roots of a tooth as well. The dental implant process comprises only a few steps and will have your smile looking and feeling better in no time.
Dental Implant Options
Dental implants come in different sizes, heights and types. Dental implant surgery is performed with two main types of implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone and are the most commonly used type of implant. Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the jawbone. This type is often used in patients who do not have enough healthy natural jawbone. Dental implant options can be discussed with our dental implant dentists at the time of your visit.
Who Needs Dental Implants?
Dental implants can be a smart choice for adults of all ages whether you were born without a tooth or have had to have teeth removed due to injury, infection or decay. Here are some reasons why a dental implant may be the right choice for you:
- To replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- To resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into a missing tooth space.
- To restore a patient’s confident smile.
- To resolve chewing, speech and digestion problems.
- To restore or enhance facial tissues.
- To support a bridge or denture making it more secure and comfortable.
Dental Implants Procedure
When you get dental implants, you are replacing the tooth roots with tooth posts made of metal. These dental posts are like screws for artificial teeth. Implants are a little different than some bridges or crowns because they function and look like real teeth. How your dentist performs the dental procedure depends on the implant you need. Here are the general dental implant procedure steps you can expect:
- An initial evaluation to determine the correct approach for your treatment.
- Tooth extraction, if you still have the tooth that needs to be replaced.
- Surgically inserting the dental implant to act as a stabilizer for the new tooth.
- Placing the abutment once your gum has healed, to act as a temporary tooth.
- Adding the permanent crown to act as a permanent tooth.
Post Treatment: What to Do After a Dental Implant
It’s natural to have some discomfort after the dental implant surgery. You may notice some bruising on your gums, swelling around your gums and face, some minor bleeding and some pain at the implant site. You should stock up on some soft foods after the surgery. You may also want to have some ice packs on hand to help reduce any swelling. Avoid tobacco because it could increase your chance of infections such as root canal infections and stain your teeth. We also offer root canal treatment. You must keep up good hygiene habits to protect this implant. That means flossing daily and brushing your teeth twice a day. Avoid chewing hard candies that could damage your implants.
Getting Your Dental Implants at West Coast Dental
If a dental implant procedure is the solution that’s right for you, West Coast Dental will make it affordable with a choice of payment options. We also accept most dental insurance and offer a dental discount program for patients without insurance.
Certified Oral Surgeons
When looking for a dental implant dentist, it is important to remember that the dental implant procedure is actually a surgery and needs the expertise of an oral surgeon. With more than 30 years of experience serving Southern California communities, our certified oral surgeons are here to provide you with superior care throughout your dental implant process.
Same-day Appointments Available
At West Coast Dental, we are here to help you whenever you need us. If you are seeking emergency dental services, please call us at 888-329-8111. We have several locations available with an office near you that best suits your needs and can address your dental emergency as soon as possible. We offer same-day appointments to provide the most efficient services for our patients.
Monthly Payment Options That Work for Your Budget
At West Coast Dental, we offer various payment options to help our patients get the dental care they need. We believe that everyone, regardless of their dental insurance coverage, deserves access to general, cosmetic and specialty dental services, and that patients need a variety of ways to make their dental care affordable. We offer monthly payment options and financing options that work for every budget.
Monthly Payment Options That Work for Your Budget
At West Coast Dental, we offer various payment options to help our patients get the dental care they need. We believe that everyone, regardless of their dental insurance coverage, deserves access to general, cosmetic and specialty dental services, and that patients need a variety of ways to make their dental care affordable. We offer monthly payment options and financing options that work for every budget.
We offer a variety of payment options to make your crown affordable. We also accept most dental insurance plans and have a dental discount program for patients without insurance. Call us at our toll-free number 888-329-8111 or make an appointment online here.
