Why Invest In Dental Implants?

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As you have likely heard from friends and loved ones – and possibly even read about online – dental implants require a greater upfront investment than other tooth replacement solutions. While a large initial price on the treatment to address your tooth loss might cause you a bit of sticker shock, it’s very important that you don’t regard implants as “extremely expensive” or a luxury item. Allow us to explain why the investment is worthwhile and how the price tag is actually in line with most alternative prosthetic solutions.

For Convenience and Comfort

First, keep in mind that you are investing in a tooth replacement solution that provides you the utmost in convenience and comfort. You will enjoy stability that runs a close second to natural teeth. Your implant is solidly bound to your jawbone tissue, which means you can eat and speak effortlessly. You will care for your smile as though it is full of natural teeth. You will also quickly regain the quality of life you enjoyed before your tooth loss – though it may become even better.

They Are Cost-Effective Over Time

Take on a new perspective when you are deciding why you should invest in dental implants. Dentures and bridges will require repairs and may need to be replaced (which will require additional investments over the years). These prosthetics do not protect your jaw health, which means your jaw will slowly deteriorate over time, leading toward issues like facial collapse. Implants often last a lifetime – only their restorations may occasionally require a repair. As a result, the investment you make will comprise most of the cost. In the end, when you compare the money spent over time on each tooth replacement solution, dental implants are extremely cost-effective.

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).

Oral Surgery Questions Part 2

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Becoming familiar with what to expect from your oral surgery experience may prove somewhat complex – fortunately, we are happy to provide you with information each and every step of the way. By the time your visit arrives, you will know just what to do, what will happen before, during, and after the procedure, and how to care for yourself once you’re back in the comfort of your own home. Before you speak with us again with particular inquiries, we offer a few informative questions (and answers) to help you along on this beneficial journey.

Questions and Answers About Your Oral Surgery

How should I prepare my escort regarding what to expect? As always, you will need to have a friend or loved one bring you to your visit and take you home, since you will be receiving sedation. We will provide you with an estimated treatment time, so the person who brings you can plan accordingly for the wait. Fortunately, you can let him or her know that we offer free WiFi, water, and coffee for an enjoyable stay.

What are my options for improving my comfort once I return home from my oral surgery? You will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication, so you don’t need to worry about maintaining comfort after your surgery. In addition, we will provide you with instructions regarding cold and warm compresses to address minor swelling and discomfort.

What happens if I suddenly have questions when I’m already home after my treatment? Is it too late to ask someone? Of course it’s not too late! We are always happy to answer questions. Please feel comfortable contacting us after oral surgery, so we may address any questions or needs you may have. 

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).

Questions to Ask Your Oral Surgeon: Part One

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Once you know you need restorative oral surgery, it becomes important to consult with your surgeon about the procedure. You will also need clear directions about how to care for your smile after the procedure, and moving forward, in order to maintain great oral health. Understanding any steps you may need to take prior to the appointment can also help make the entire day of surgery go much smoother, and be less stressful for you and your loved ones. To have a productive consultation, though, it can be helpful to know just what to ask your oral surgeon. That way you can arrive at your procedure confident, and knowing that your smile will be well taken care of. (more…)

Need Wisdom Tooth Removal? What You Should Know: Part Two

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So you know you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? That may sound scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Wisdom teeth removal is quite standard for an oral surgeon, and can actually be an important step in restoring oral health, and often relieving oral pain. By going to an oral surgeon for the extraction, rather than a general dentist, you can increase the likelihood of an effective extraction, especially if your removal turns out to be complicated, as is often the case with lower molars. (more…)

Need Wisdom Tooth Removal? What You Should Know: Part One

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Do you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Are you worried, because you have never had a tooth extracted before? Well wisdom teeth removal is often fairly simple, and your oral surgeon will be careful to ensure you are comfortable both before and during the procedure. Still, knowing a bit more about how the procedure works might put your mind at ease. Most importantly, it is important remember that an extraction is often the best way to stop the pain you have been feeling as those teeth begin to erupt. (more…)

Resolve To Prep Your Smile

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Are you someone suffering from tooth loss? Have you begun thinking about filling the open spaces in your smile with dental implants but you know that the initial process will include repairing problems like jawbone damage or problems with your sinuses? If so, we suggest you take advantage of the motivation that comes with a new year – and contact us. Resolve to prepare your smile for the tooth replacement solution you want, so you can look forward to a future of excellent oral health and a beautiful, full smile.

Schedule Time To See Us

To make good on your resolution, schedule time to see us for a dental implant consultation. This will allow us to set plans into action, so you can continue gaining momentum, rather than shrinking away from your goal to complete your grin. We will inspect your oral health, your smile, and your supportive structures to determine what you need to prepare for implants. You will have time to ask your questions, as well, so you feel certain about your choice.

Agree To Preliminary Treatments

After your consultation, extend that resolution a bit and resolve to move forward with the necessary treatments to prepare your smile for dental implants. For instance, if we suggest bone grafting to repair a deteriorated jawbone, think of this as “step one” in a beneficial process that will lead you toward your desired outcome. If we suggest a sinus lift, think of it as another stepping stone. Once your smile is ready, you will find yourself on the path toward receiving the stable tooth replacement solution you want.

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).

4 Signs It’s Time To Learn About Implants

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Have you been avoiding learning more about dental implants or considering them for your tooth replacement because you have some deeply engrained preconceived notions? Perhaps you assume they are for a different type of tooth loss pattern than your own (they work for all patterns). Maybe you are concerned about their stability (it is unsurpassable). Or, you might feel concerned about what to expect (we will explain everything). Whatever the case, if you are missing teeth and want an exceptional replacement solution, we suggest incorporating implants into your list of potential choices, so you can make the best decision for your smile.

#1: You Are Unhappy With Bridges Or Dentures

Have you been wearing bridges or dentures to address your missing teeth for some time now and you simply feel like you want an upgrade? Maybe you are still seeking your first replacement option but do not feel satisfied by what you have learned about other prosthetics. Take this as a big red flag that it’s time to learn about dental implants.

#2: Your Priority Is Stability

As we mentioned about stability, you won’t find anything to beat the stability of a dental implant. This is because the prosthetic is bonded to your jawbone – the post is very unlikely to falter. Want stability? An implant is a wise path to embark upon.

#3: You Worry About Your Jaw Health

Particularly for patients missing several teeth or more, jawbone deterioration is a significant threat. Fortunately, replacing teeth with dental implants protects your jaw health by restoring the stimulation once provided by natural tooth roots (a process that keeps jaw tissue healthy).

#4: You’re “Over” Your Diet Limitations

If you feel exhausted by the fact that you cannot eat the foods you want, then take it as a sign you need to learn more about dental implants – they can often thoroughly restore your ability to eat all the foods you love. 

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).

Implants: Your 2015 Holiday Care Plan

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Are you beginning to wonder what will become of your smile come Christmas evening? Do you have some serious plans for enjoying the multitude of unhealthy yet oh-so-delicious delicacies that show up around holiday time? If so, remember that it is always best to indulge during a set time, then rinse your mouth with water (followed by a brushing session 30 minutes later). As for some additional, smart ways to protect your dental implants and natural teeth during holiday time, we would like to offer some helpful suggestions that are easy to overlook.

Don’t Change Your Routine

Easier said than done, of course, since most routines change over the holidays. As a result, we suggest you do your best to keep your dental hygiene routine as consistent as possible even if the rest of your schedule becomes completely mixed up. Here’s what should remain the same:

  • Your brushing – Use a soft-bristle brush twice daily (those holiday meals mean your teeth and dental implants really need attention more than ever)
  • Your flossing – Again, you need to floss once a day like you usually do to remove food particles and plaque

Seek Out Healthy Snack Foods

A trap you should try to avoid is the daylong snack fest that includes everything from cookies and candy to eggnog. Coating your teeth and dental implants throughout the day creates an acid environment in your mouth, which promotes just about every bad thing you can imagine. Problems may include everything from tooth decay to the inflammation of the tissue around your implants (peri-implantitis). Instead, snack on leftover turkey or other protein, dairy (like cheese), and veggies. Of course, stay refreshed and hydrated with water and you’re offering your smile wonderful protection (water washes away food particles, rinses away bacteria, and is excellent for your oral health and general wellbeing). 

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).

Give Implants A Chance

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Have you been dreaming of replacing your missing teeth with the help of dental implants for as long as you can remember? Has this dream fallen by the wayside because you are pretty certain you will not qualify as the result of issues like jawbone damage? Do yourself a huge favor and place the following on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2016: Schedule a consultation with us, so we can examine your smile and discuss your options. You may be surprised by what you learn.

What To Do

Schedule a dental implant consultation with us. Even if you feel certain you will not qualify, it is important to receive a thorough examination. We will closely inspect your smile both with the use of our trained eyes and with the help of detailed advanced imaging, such as digital X-rays. The goal is to take a close look at what is happening beneath the surface of your smile. We will then have a visual map of your oral structures, so we may move forward by explaining options to qualify for implants or by suggesting alternative tooth replacement options.

How We May Help

Some patients desire implant-retained full dentures but assume since they still have one or two standing teeth that they simply will not qualify. In certain instances, we may suggest dental extractions to create a clean slate and replace your entire arch of teeth. Other patients are suffering from severe jawbone damage and/or problems with the location of their maxillary sinus. Fortunately, we can address these issues and improve your candidacy for dental implants with bone grafting and sinus lifts. Again, scheduling a consultation will allow us to explain your options, while providing you with a personalized plan for care and a complete smile.

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).

Why You Shouldn’t Take Tooth Loss Lightly

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When it comes to your smile, it’s okay to be biased. If your smile isn’t perfect, wanting it to be is a natural desire. When it comes to losing teeth, few people would consider the loss a trivial matter. Those that take a laissez-faire attitude about tooth loss often don’t realize the consequences of ignoring it.

If you let tooth loss run its course, it won’t stop at the teeth that are already gone. The destruction of your jawbone and the disarray of your remaining teeth can grow worse until you replace the missing ones.

You Can Avoid Dentures, But Only for So Long

The best way to avoid dentures is to retain all of your natural teeth so that they don’t need replacement. If you’ve already lost one or more teeth, then avoiding dentures is a bit trickier.

A dental bridge might replace the tooth, or several consecutive teeth, that you’ve lost, but without your missing teeth’s roots, your jawbone can slowly shrink from a lack of stimulation (like atrophy). Over time, you may lose more teeth if your jawbone grows too weak to hold on to them.

The Complete Package

Dentures, or at least the concept of them, have been around for centuries, and likely even longer. Today, however, dentures are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes. For instance, partial dentures can fit around existing teeth to restore your smile, and complete dentures consist of an entire row of replacement teeth.

One of the most significant advancements in prosthetic dentistry is the dental implant, which can be surgically inserted into the jawbone to support conventional replacement teeth. Combined with a dental crown or partial denture, implants can help you prevent the need for dentures by preserving your remaining teeth and jawbone’s integrity when stimulated by biting.

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).