Using the dental implant procedure for permanent tooth replacement
Dental implants are today’s gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Their integrity and predictability offer lifelong results that restore your smile to its natural function. For patients looking to replace their missing teeth with dental implants in Rohnert Park, California, reach out to our premier dental implant office to talk to Dr. Wayne Sutton and his team at Sonoma Smiles about dental implant surgery for permanent tooth replacement.
What are dental implants, and are they a permanent tooth replacement option?
A dental implant is an artificial root crafted from biocompatible materials naturally attractive to your bone. When we set them into the site of a missing tooth, your bone begins to form a thin layer of osseous tissue that bonds to the surface of the implant, permanently fusing it into place. This restorative dentistry procedure continues to be the most popular solution for patients seeking permanent tooth replacement with a long-lasting prosthetic.
Dr. Wayne Sutton – The Sonoma Smiles Difference
Here at Sonoma Smiles, our highly experienced team allows us to provide comprehensive dental implant therapy under one roof. Everything from the planning and placement to the final restoration phases is completed right here in our office, allowing you to save time and money while receiving specialized care.
Dr. Wayne Sutton has over 20 years of experience in smile reconstruction and is a Diplomat of the American Dental Implant Association. Combining his expertise with state-of-the-art technology, your implant experience at Sonoma Smiles will be second to none!
Benefits Of Modern Dental Implants
- Appropriate for any number of missing teeth
- Helps promote healthy bone structure
- Non-invasive to other teeth
- Minimizes premature aging in your facial tissues
- Stronger and more durable than natural teeth
- Freedom to enjoy all of your favorite foods
- Capable of lasting the rest of your life
Dental implants are titanium roots, that are replaced with in the jawbone to resemble a tooth or group of teeth. A screw is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prosthesis including crowns, dentures, and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking, no one will know you had surgery. There’s approximately a 95% success rate for all implants. With modern advances in dentistry, some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.
Need an Evaluation for Implants?
The Consultation Fee: $125
Includes:
- Time with the Doctor
- CT imaging free-of-charge
Dental Implant FAQs
If you are considering dental implants in Rohnert Park, California, you probably have several questions about the procedure. Dr. Wayne Sutton, the lead dentist at Sonoma Smiles with over 25 years of experience, is here to answer frequently asked questions about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant replaces your tooth using three components. The first component is a titanium screw surgically inserted in the jawbone to act as a tooth root. Above the implant, we attach an abutment that connects the implant post to the final tooth restoration. The final component of an implant is a natural-looking crown, denture, or bridge, depending on the number of teeth being replaced.
What can I expect from the dental implant procedure?
The dental implant treatment requires about 9-12 months, although much time is consumed during healing. Restoring your smile with an implant starts with a comprehensive exam to examine your oral health and jawbone stability.
If you are eligible for implantology, the dentist surgically places the implant at a precise position in the jawbone and then leaves it for four to six months to fuse with the bone. After healing, the dentist will attach an abutment to your implant through a minor surgery. The last step is to cover your implant with a crown or bridge.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants offer numerous benefits over other teeth replacements. Some benefits of dental implants include:
– Natural feel and appearance
– Renewed confidence
– Restored oral function
– Improved smile appearance
– Prevents bone loss
– Easy maintenance
– Long-lasting restoration
Is there an age limit for dental implants?
Dental implants are ideal for a fully matured jawbone, which doesn’t occur until you are age 18-21. However, age alone won’t disqualify your candidacy for implants. Our dentist must evaluate your jawbone with digital X-rays and 3D scanners to establish whether it’s fully matured.
Good news! Dental implants have no upper age limit, meaning patients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s can restore their smile with implants if they are in good health.
Do dental implants last for life?
Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. Once an implant is placed in the jawbone, both fuse into one biological structure. With proper maintenance, an implant should last a lifetime. The only part of the implant that requires replacement is the crown, which is replaced every 15-20 years.
What is the dental implant cost?
The average cost of a single dental implant is between $3,000 and $6,000. The implant cost varies depending on supplementary procedures like grafting and extraction, type of implant, restoration type, etc.
Am I a suitable candidate for dental implants?
Eligible candidates for implants must have adequate bone density. However, you can still benefit from dental implants if you have lost your bone density to gum disease or tooth loss. In such cases, we recommend a bone graft to replenish the lost bone tissue.
Potential dental implant candidates must also have good oral health and be committed to optimal oral hygiene. Furthermore, you must manage systemic diseases like diabetes and quit smoking for treatment success.
Where can I find an implant dentist near me?
If you are currently thinking about your options for tooth replacement, we invite you to contact our team at Sonoma Smiles to discuss the benefits of dental implants. Call (707) 868-0666 to request an appointment at our office located in Rohnert Park, CA, at 1330 Medical Center Drive, Suite #1.
