What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent replacement option for lost, extracted, or broken teeth. They are custom-fit to blend with the rest of your natural teeth, restoring functionality and esthetics to your smile. The process begins with placing the dental implant into the jawbone. From there, your body will naturally form a secure bond with the implant through a process called osseointegration. After a brief healing period, your smile will be ready to show off to the world.
Types of Dental Implants
There are a variety of implant solutions. We’ll help you navigate your choices and choose the right implant for your unique needs.
Single Tooth Replacement
Using a titanium “root” and a porcelain crown, we can help you fill in the gap created by a single missing tooth, and love your smile again.
Teeth in a Day
Enjoy a full set of teeth in as little as one day! Different from traditional dentures, this fixed bridge is a great solution if you want to avoid dentures.
Snap-In Dentures
Among the other options available, Snap on Dentures operate in a similar way as a bonded denture with the added stability of snapping on to a pair of dental implants.
All-on-4
Get a full set of teeth without having to undergo multiple surgeries. Even better, we can typically complete it in our office in one appointment!
The Benefits of Dental Implants
We’ve already talked about how dental implants can renew the aesthetics of your smile, but they offer an array of other benefits as well. The advantages of dental implants include:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lifespan of a dental implant?
While the lifespan of a dental implant is greater than any other tooth-replacement option, its longevity mostly depends on how you care for it. Dental implants are immune to disease and infection, but that doesn’t apply to the rest of your smile. If you don’t properly care for your teeth, you may develop gum disease or other conditions that can cause the implant to fail. However, if you practice strong oral hygiene habits, your dental implant could last for more than 25 years.
What is the cost of a dental implant?
No two dental implant treatments are exactly alike, so the number of appointments, procedures, and costs of dental implants will vary from patient to patient. With that said, the cost of dental implants is favorable when compared to other tooth-replacement options. This is because implants can last significantly longer — even a lifetime — with proper care.
What is the best way to care for a dental implant after surgery?
The easiest way to avoid infection and dental implant failure is to keep your mouth clean. This means cleaning your smile thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after your procedure. At Encinitas Dental Art, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains non-abrasive ingredients to ensure that you don’t damage the implant or irritate the structures that support it.
