Beginning to find out about dental implants can (at first) feel like you’re about to begin an entire college level course on a new topic. There is, in fact, a lot of information out there that you can take in if you are interested. However, if your goal is to get to know this option for replacing missing teeth and finding out whether it may make a good fit for your life, you need some essential details. We are happy to get you started with the basic information as you begin your introduction to implants.

Who?

Who is a dental implant a wise choice for? First, it’s a good idea for someone dealing with tooth loss. Second, it’s beneficial for someone who wants a full tooth replacement. However, it might not be something that will work for an individual whose jawbone is in severe decline.

What?

A dental implant is a titanium post. It’s a biocompatible prosthetic that is placed in an effort to replace the roots of your tooth that you lost. Once you’re healed, we will finish the replacement by using a dental crown to top the implant.

Where?

We will place the dental implant for you through our practice.

When?

The sooner you choose to receive implants after tooth loss, the better. They will help keep your smile alignment as is, while supporting optimal jawbone health.

Why?

You may wish to choose a dental implant because it offers many benefits you cannot expect from other tooth replacements. For instance, it’s a way to replace the entirety of your tooth (roots and all).

And How?

The post will be inserted into your jaw tissue, which means through a surgical process, we will “implant” it. The remaining portion will rest within your gum tissue and will just stick out above your gumline (where it will support an abutment and restoration).

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

When you decide you are interested in dental implants but your general dentist or an oral surgeon from another practice turns you away, you have two options. You can believe what you’ve been told and begin searching for an alternative solution. Or, if you feel in your heart of hearts that this decision is wrong, you may contact us for a second opinion. Wondering if this is a worthwhile venture? As far as we are concerned, the answer is a very simple, “Of course!” Find out why it may be to your benefit to revisit the idea of implants with our team.

Scheduling Your Visit

Without worrying any more about whether you should seek a second opinion for dental implants or not, simply schedule a visit. We will encourage you to set up a time that you can come in for an examination. We can then discuss your options with you, so you feel more confident regarding whether implants are a good idea for you or if it’s best to seek an alternative route for addressing tooth loss.

Why Second Opinions Are Helpful

Getting another opinion about dental implants can be very important for a variety of reasons. First, you may have received the initial opinion from someone with less specialized experience (such as a general dentist). Fortunately, we have the experience and expertise to deal with challenging cases. In addition, there are avenues of care we may be able to take to improve a patient’s oral health who was initially considered “not a candidate” for implants. For instance, your jawbone health may be poor at the moment but bone grafting might solve that problem (and turn you into a decent candidate).

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

We have just officially ushered in autumn, which means the coziness of cooler weather and holiday fun are just ahead. To kick off the season, we would like to provide you with a fun way to think about dental implants. Remember that if you have been considering implants for your smile, now is a fantastic time to come in to learn more. We may be able to get your journey started well before the intensity of holiday planning makes its arrival. As for our autumnal fun, let’s spend a moment with mnemonics as we highlight important details of this tooth loss solution by making use of each letter in the word “implant.”

I

Implant Post. Before you become confused about the way an implant works, try to train yourself into saying, “implant post.” This will remind you that the dental implant is only the post that acts as a replacement for missing roots. Then there’s an abutment and a restoration on top of that.

M

Months. Remember that receiving dental implants is not something that will take place within just a day or two but something that requires months of an exciting adventure that will result in a complete, beautiful smile.

P

Protection. Placement of an implant is an act that will prevent the teeth in your smile from moving. As a result, you won’t need to worry about misalignment. Placement will also help protect the health of your jaw tissue.

L

Long-Lasting. If you’ve ever heard someone mention that a dental implant can last for the rest of your life, this is actually possible.  

A

Anchored. Remember that your implant is anchored into your jaw. This means exceptional stability for a replacement that seems like a real tooth.

N

Natural. Your new tooth is going to seem like a real tooth. After you experience a brief adjustment, you will be able to speak and eat like you used to. Your restoration will also look exceptionally lifelike and natural.

T

Tough. You can eat what you like and act like you’ve got your old smile back without worrying about durability. Treat your replacement as you would your natural teeth.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

So, you feel like you have done your research and dental implants are the tooth replacement choice for you. However, when you even consider moving ahead with this selection and getting serious about replacing missing teeth, you’re anything but calm, cool, and collected. Don’t become too concerned. You are not the first patient to find yourself fretting over making such a big decision. Since we know what you’re going through, we encourage you to take a moment to relax … and to take our advice.

Remaining Calm

When you’ve found yourself feeling decidedly sure about dental implants but you don’t know how to make any movement, it’s best to begin by talking with us. It will demystify the process and can help you find out if your hopes for implants are something we can help you with. Perhaps you’re a wonderful candidate! Perhaps you need treatments first, such as bone grafting. Remain calm by starting this whole journey off with a consultation.

Remaining Cool

You can easily remain cool about dental implants by remembering that finding out about them isn’t going to leave you with your dreams fulfilled or shattered. If they’re a good fit, then you can decide if you’re ready. If not, you can agree to another treatment option. Make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed by starting off asking questions and finding out more about how your care plan will work.

Remaining Collected

Remain collected by categorically collecting your thoughts. Ignore the need to make an emotional decision and instead consider everything you have learned. You might even create a pros and cons list, which should include how you feel, your budget, the benefits of choosing dental implants, how the process will work with your schedule, etc.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Do you find that no matter how much research you perform online or how many friends you speak with, you cannot seem to find a specific answer to your pressing question: How much do dental implants cost? This experience is occurring for a reason. Replacing teeth is something that is a very unique and personal journey. Arriving at details regarding costs means first arriving at answers regarding your needs. Curious about how you will eventually discover what the investment will require? Find out more with our quiz!

Quiz Questions: True or False?

1. True or False: The cost for all patients is always the same when it comes to dental implants. The figures are very easy to determine as a result.
2. True or False: As long as you can provide us with a wealth of information regarding what you want and your dental history, we can generally quote you over the phone regarding the final cost.
3. True or False: We don’t necessarily need to see you to create a plan. We do, however, need your general dentist to talk with us about your smile.

Quiz Answers

1. False. The cost for each patient can be different due to a variety of variables that come into play. Different patients may require a different amount of visits, a different amount of dental implants, varying preparatory treatments, or they may choose different restorations.
2. False. Just like we mentioned, each patient’s needs are extremely unique. As a result, we cannot simply make guesses about how much your implants will cost based on things you tell us. There’s more involved than you may realize.
3. False. While information from your general dentist is always helpful, we will still need to see you face-to-face before we can determine your particular needs (and preferences) so we may then offer cost information.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

A very common inquiry we receive from patients has to do with whether they are too young or too old for dental implants. The truth is that there’s not a set-in-stone age span ideal for the placement of this tooth replacement option. However, is it possible to be too young? Yes. Is it possible to be too old? Not exactly. For the specific answers you are looking for, take a moment of your time and allow us to offer additional details. Of course, to find out if you are a candidate, set up a visit with us!

Am I Too Young?

It’s not necessarily the number of years you have been alive that will disqualify you from receiving a dental implant but the fact that along with youth comes developing, growing tissues. If your jawbone is still in the process of growing, it is not a stable place within which we can place an implant. Fortunately, jaw tissue tends to complete its growth cycle by late teens to early twenties. To determine whether you’re a candidate yet (or not), we invite you to come in, so we can monitor your development. We will assist you in achieving your goal of a full smile free of missing teeth.

Am I Too Old?

Nope. You cannot be too old to receive a dental implant. You can, however, suffer from periodontal disease, a deteriorated jawbone, or you may be unfit for surgery. While these issues are commonly associated with a greater number of years on the planet, these are oral health problems that may affect anyone of any age. The good news is that we can work with you to help you address these obstacles, so you can become fit as a candidate.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

You might think a lot about your brushing and flossing habits, the foods you eat, professional visits to our practice, and issues like tooth replacement. However, do you spend any time thinking about the various types of pressure that affect your oral health? This is not a very common line of thinking unless you are a dental professional, so you’re in luck! We are happy to share more with you about how you can offer your smile and dental implants great protection by avoiding a few pressure-related concerns.

#1: Emotional Pressure

Who knew that something seemingly figurative could affect your oral health? It can, as a matter of fact. Emotional pressure, whether you’re feeling quite tense or stressed by something in your life, often comes out in the form of muscle tension. Patients frequently grit their teeth, tightening their jaw muscles in addition to other muscles throughout the body. Without seeking relief for your stress, you may be encouraging the formation of bruxism (clenching or grinding) or TMJ disorder (jaw joint fatigue and damage). The issue can even negatively affect the state of your dental implants.

#2: Involuntary Pressure

About that issues we know as bruxism: When it comes to bruxism, we refer to this functional issue as “involuntary.” Why? Well, you probably have no idea that you’re performing the habit. In fact, you might do it while you’re sleeping. The pressure can damage your dental implant, can wear down your teeth, may lead to broken teeth, and more. Fortunately, oral appliance therapy can protect your smile.

#3: Overuse Pressure

Sometimes, pressure is voluntary. If you’re forcing your teeth to do more than they can bear, their health (and the future stability of dental implants) may not fare well. Make smart choices and, when in doubt, ask us.

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Halloween hasn’t even come and gone and the thought of planning for Thanksgiving is still something you have not yet had to give too much attention. So, why on earth would you begin planning for the winter holidays in September, you wonder? While there are those tasks you can accomplish immediately in life, dealing with complex oral health issues is not on the list. Whether you require dental implants or other forms of oral surgery, some planning and often a somewhat lengthy process can become necessary. To make sure you’re ready for an enjoyable holiday season (rather than one during which you’re focused on your oral health), consider our thoughts.

You Should Schedule Your Consultation Today

Give yourself plenty of time to see us, to make decisions, and more by scheduling a consultation with us today. As a result, you won’t find yourself scrambling to squeeze in an appointment that isn’t actually the most convenient date or time. Instead, you can come in at your leisure, speak with us about dental implants, oral surgery, and other concerns, and we can begin planning for the improvement of your oral health.

We’ll Have Time To Discover What Works For You

We will speak with you about the particular oral surgery service you need. Perhaps it’s dental implants. Maybe you need wisdom teeth removal. Whatever the case, we can set a date for your treatment by first discussing the best timing. If it’s something you need immediately, you’ll be able to recover before the holidays. If it’s something that can wait, we can discuss whether before or after the winter season is best. Preparing will save you a lot of energy, stress, and worry, so you can focus on friends, family, and merriment with a plan that you have accomplished (or that is already in place).

ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).

Are you feeling mostly optimistic about the idea of a future smile with dental implants? If you have learned much about the placement process and osseointegration (when the implant fuses with your jaw tissue), you know that there’s a tiny chance for failure and a big chance for success. However, that very small percentage may be giving you some doubts. To help boost your confidence regarding how you can easily combat potential risk factors, we offer some information you need.

Succeed With Healthy Habits

We will generally suggest that you avoid tobacco products like cigarettes because they are bad for your oral health and the health of your entire body. When it comes to the placement of dental implants (and recovery), we will suggest you avoid use before, during, and immediately after treatment. However, for your best results it’s always ideal to completely quit. Why? Consider the following:

• A patient’s ability to ward off infection drops as a result of smoking
• A patient’s healing ability decreases
• Tobacco products irritate gum tissue, which can lead to inflammation that inhibits implant success

Address Your Bruxism

Are you someone who suffers from bruxism? Unfortunately, the constant pressure associated with your disorder (whether you are grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth) can significantly impact the success of your dental implants. Too much pressure as the posts attempt to fuse with your jawbone can disrupt the process of osseointegration. Begin treatment (or continue treatment) for bruxism if this functional disorder is affecting your smile.

ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:

Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).