As about 178 million Americans can tell you, tooth loss can make going about your daily life difficult. You may have trouble eating delicious foods, enunciating your words, and even smiling in front of other people. Traditional tooth replacements, like dental bridges and dentures, may look realistic, but they don’t quite feel natural. They also don’t solve all of the problems caused by missing teeth, such as jawbone loss. That’s where dental implants in Yuba City can help. Dr. Ajaipal Sekhon can complete every step of the dental implant process right here at Fit Dental, making your treatment more convenient and affordable. To learn more about this type of modern tooth replacement that can change your life, call our team today!
Dental implants are small titanium cylinders that are placed directly in the jawbone to replicate the root structure of lost teeth. Because titanium is biocompatible, the implant posts naturally fuse to the bone and tissue in your jaw. This process, known as osseointegration, enables dental implants to support a crown, bridge, or denture that has been customized to look natural in your smile. In the end, dental implants look, feel, and function just like your home-grown teeth!
Getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that can span several months. However, they can last for 30+ years if you take good care of them, making them definitely worth the wait! The details can vary, but the dental implant process has four basic steps:
Due to their unique, comprehensive structure, dental implants can deliver a host of benefits that traditional dentures and bridges cannot. Some of the advantages of dental implants that you can expect include:
Are you a generally healthy adult who has lost one or more teeth? Then odds are you’re a good candidate for dental implants! This treatment is so versatile that we can use it to bring back any number of lost teeth:
To fill a single empty space in your smile, we can position one implant post in the socket where the tooth’s roots used to be. Then, we’ll place a personalized crown on top of the post via a metal abutment connector. This solution is less invasive than placing a conventional dental bridge, which requires the two adjacent teeth to be permanently filed down for support.
If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, we can secure a custom dental bridge onto two implants, each placed at the end of the gap. Again, dental implants create a more conservative option than traditional bridges. For several missing teeth that are located throughout the arch, a partial denture can be anchored onto a small number of implants.
Just four to eight strategically placed dental implants can provide enough support for a full denture, restoring an entire arch of teeth simultaneously. Implant dentures prevent many of the common frustrations people have with regular dentures, such as slippage, insufficient chewing power, and gum irritation.
Because of how varied dental implant treatment can be, there is no “one-size-fits-all” price that we can name. In fact, it’s almost impossible for us to give you an estimate until Dr. Sekhon learns more about the specifics of your situation. Our team will work with you to ensure you can restore your smile without breaking the bank. Below are some factors to keep in mind when considering the final cost of dental implants in Yuba City.
Before getting dental implants, you may need to undergo one or more preliminary treatments. Gum disease therapy, extractions, and bone grafts may be necessary to prepare your mouth for implant treatment. Although preliminary procedures add to overall costs, they play a critical role in the dental implant process.
Implant surgery involves a cost of its own, which is normally impacted by the location of the surgical site and the type of sedation needed. Dr. Sekhon is an experienced implant dentist in Yuba City and can perform every step of the dental implant process right here at Fit Dental. This saves you a trip to an oral surgeon for implant placement and helps streamline your fees.
Multiple factors affect the cost of dental implants, including the number of teeth you need to replace. The types of restorations that attach to implants also have different costs. Smaller restorations like crowns are naturally less expensive than bridges or dentures.
The materials used for your implants will also impact the cost of treatment. Implant posts and abutment pieces are typically made from titanium or zirconia. However, just some like car brands are more reliable than others, the same goes for dental implants. During your initial consultation, Dr. Sekhon will be happy to share more information about the high-quality implants he will choose for your treatment.
Dental implants in Yuba City have a higher upfront cost that traditional restorations. However, in the long run, implants typically end up paying for themselves many times over! With proper care, dental implants can easily last for decades. This means you do not to pay for a replacement every 5 to 10 years like you would for dentures or bridges. In addition, dental implants are easy to clean, which can help you avoid oral health trouble that would require costly care.
Although there are some exceptions, most dental
insurance plans do not cover dental implants. However, insurance benefits can often be applied
to preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy or extractions. Your insurance may also help cover
the cost of the restoration that goes on top of your implants. Our team will be happy to help you
understand the details of your insurance coverage and maximize your benefits!
At Fit Dental, we are committed to helping patients rebuild their smiles with dental implants in an affordable way. That is why we offer convenient dental financing! By breaking up the cost of dental implants in Yuba City into manageable monthly payments, you can replace your missing teeth without worry. Ask our staff for more details!
Getting dental implants can be one of the most important investments you can make in your oral health, so naturally you’ll want to make sure that you get as many years of use out of them as you can. The care you give your implant posts on a daily basis is crucial for ensuring that your implants stay successful even after decades of use. Below are some tips for how you can be proactive about protecting your implants; take note that many of these steps are similar to what you would already have to do to protect your teeth.
Chances are that you’re already brushing and flossing on a regular basis. When you get dental implants, these habits remain as important as ever, if not even more so. Implant posts can’t get cavities, but they need healthy gums to stay in place; regular brushing and flossing will help you avoid the gum disease that could put your implants at risk. You should use your toothbrush at least two times every day for two minutes at a time while flossing before or after each brushing session. Consider using ADA-approved mouthwash as well to reduce bacteria presence in your mouth even further.
You won’t lose your implants by enjoying a few sweets every once in a while, but if your diet is loaded with sugar and starch, sooner or later it could start causing issues for your overall oral health. Try switching out candy, chips, and similar foods out for things that can directly benefit your smile, such fruits, vegetables, and fat-free dairy products. Foods that are high in calcium and vitamin C can help strengthen the tissues around your implants, making it easier for them to stay in place.
Minor dental damage can build up over time, so eventually what seemed like a harmless habit at first can end up badly damaging your smile. Take whatever steps you need to in order to give up smoking, nail biting, pen chewing, ice crunching, and anything else that can weaken your implants over time. Be especially careful about using your teeth as tools; it’s always better to spend a few extra minutes finding scissors than it is to tear open packages with your teeth.
A lot of dental accidents happen while playing sports – even ones that don’t involve a lot of contact. You should get a mouthguard to keep your implants and the rest of your teeth safe while playing sports even if it’s not a requirement. Mouthguards can also be used to protect teeth from habitual grinding.
During your biannual checkups, we’ll take the time to evaluate your implants while checking the rest of your mouth. Oftentimes, problems with your implants start small and aren’t easily noticed until the problem has become more severe; if we can find such problems early, we can intervene in a timely manner.
Dental implants in Yuba City are a big investment. It’s normal to have a few concerns before you’re ready to get started. We’ll explain each step in your treatment plan to ease any apprehensions during your consultation. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions to calm your nerves until your appointment.
Dental implants provide reliable results. Although every case differs, it’s not uncommon for them to thrive for 30 years or longer with the proper aftercare. You won’t need to worry about having them replaced every few years, like traditional bridges and dentures. Your oral hygiene habits and lifestyle influence the longevity of your new smile. You can safeguard it from failure by brushing, flossing, and using an antimicrobial mouthrinse. Don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Your implant dentist in Yuba City recommends avoiding anything that may damage your new teeth, like using them as tools or chewing on inedible objects.
Your dental implant will consist of a titanium post, which is surgically placed into your jaw to serve as a root. Your bone will fuse to the post through a process called osseointegration, so it will stay securely in place. Although certain implant dentures can be removed for cleaning, you cannot take out your posts. Only a trained dental professional can remove them, such as if implant failure occurs.
You’ll require oral surgery to place your post into your jaw. Don’t worry, sedation or anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable. Your implant dentist will also use a local anesthetic before starting the procedure. Since your jawbone doesn’t have any nerve endings, you won’t experience any pain during your placement surgery. After the anesthetic and sedative wear off, your mouth may be a little sore. You can manage it by taking any prescribed or OTC pain relievers. You can also apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to control any swelling and bruising. It can also numb the area to reduce any discomfort. Your implant dentist will recommend eating softer foods until the tenderness improves. Many patients find sleeping with their head elevated prevents pain because it stops the blood from pooling in the head. If your discomfort worsens or doesn’t improve after 3 days, contact our office.
The risk of implant failure is less than 5%. It most often occurs from failed osseointegration or an infection, called peri-implantitis. Depending on the cause, your implant dentist can prevent complete dental implant failure if you seek care at the first sign of a problem, such as a feeling the post is loose. If you have any pain, inflammation, or swelling near the implant, contact your dentist right away. Don’t wait to see if the issue subsides on its own.
