Dental Implants Morgan Hill

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step of the dental implant process involves coming in for a consultation. Patients need to be in good oral health and have sufficient jawbone density to receive dental implants, and we can quickly determine if you’re a good candidate. Some patients may need gum disease treatment, a bone graft, or another type of preliminary procedure before they can receive their implants. Once the gums and jaw are in good condition, we can move onto planning the rest of your treatment.

Dental Implant Surgery

We’re proud to be able to complete the entire dental implant process in-house, meaning you won’t have to coordinate with other teams or other offices. As for the actual procedure, it’s surprisingly straightforward, completely pain-free, and often only takes one appointment (though this also depends on the number of implants being placed).

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Once they’ve been placed, the implants will begin fusing with your jawbone over the next several months. This part of the process, known as osseointegration, must occur in order for the implants to remain stable. Once this has happened, we can call you back to attach your abutments, which eventually secure your replacement teeth. Impressions are taken so your replacement teeth can be customized at the dental laboratory.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Dental implants can be used to support virtually any type of dental restoration, no matter how many teeth are missing. Based on your needs, we’ll provide you with a functional, beautiful restoration that looks and feels just like your original teeth. If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to show off your new and complete smile to the world!

Day-to-Day Benefits 

You won’t have to wait long to begin enjoying all the benefits of your newly restored smile! With dental implants, you’ll experience a variety of improvements in your daily life, including:

• The ability to chew your favorite foods, from fresh crunchy vegetables to tougher proteins like red meat.
• Easier cleaning. Your new dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like “real” teeth. No need to soak them overnight, remove them, or purchase any special equipment to clean them.
• Smile with confidence once again, knowing your new teeth both look and feel real and will never slip or come loose during meals or conversations.

Health Benefits

In addition to day-to-day benefits, your dental implants have many health benefits, such as:

• Stimulating the jawbone much like natural tooth roots do, thereby preventing jawbone deterioration that could cause further tooth loss and require a bone graft to correct.
• Protecting your remaining natural teeth from damage due to jawbone deterioration or abrasion from other prosthetics.
• Allowing you to eat a healthy diet and prevent malnutrition.
• Not causing common complications that can occur with other prosthetics, such as tooth sensitivity and gum sores.
• Easier to clean, thereby promoting better oral health and a lower risk of overall health issues.

Long-Term Benefits

Finally, the long-term benefits of your new smile are undeniable. These include:

• Today’s dental implants boast a 95 percent success rate, even after 10 years after placement.
• Your prosthetics won’t need to be replaced every five to ten years like they would with dental bridges or dentures.
• Time is money, and you’ll save both by not needing to replace your dental implants ever five to ten years like you would with bridges or dentures.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Sometimes, patients need preliminary treatment before they can get dental implants. This includes things like gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, bone grafting, sinus lifts, and other services. It is important to consider the cost of these procedures if they apply to you. The good news is that the cost of preliminary procedures often receives partial coverage if you have dental insurance. Remember that every plan is a little bit different, so it is best to contact your provider ahead of time to confirm your coverage.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

There are numerous factors that contribute to the cost of dental implants. Here are the most prominent ones:

• Number of Dental Implants: The number of teeth that you are missing, and their locations determine the number of dental implants you need. The more implants, the higher the cost.
• Restoration Type: Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs. Generally speaking, the larger the restoration, the higher the cost.
• Materials: In most cases, dental implants are crafted from surgical titanium. However, they are also sometimes made from zirconia.
• Brand: Just like other products, dental implants come from a variety of manufacturers. This influences the cost.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

It is tempting to try to save money by choosing a more affordable tooth replacement option, like dentures. Dentures are ideal for many people, but they don’t provide the same lifelong benefits that dental implants do. Dental implants can help you save money in the long run. This is because you will no longer need to spend money on frequent repairs and replacements, and you don’t’ need to stock up on adhesives and soaking solutions to maintain your smile. Dental implants help to prevent serious oral health issues, meaning that you can avoid costly restorative treatment in the future.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of dental implants themselves. That being said, it does often cover parts of the costs of preliminary procedures and the restoration that is attached to the implants. Keep in mind that every dental insurance plan is a little bit different, so coverage can vary. At Morgan Hill Dental Care, we are proud to be in-network with Delta Dental PPO, and we are happy to file claims on your behalf. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your benefits, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance or you don’t have coverage for your treatment, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely on your own. With our In-House Dental Savings Plan, you can save on services completed at our practice. We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit and Sunbit financing. These third-party financing companies can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have questions or need help applying, give us a call!

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

The most important part of dental implant recovery is not disturbing the blood clot located at the surgical site. This clot is necessary for the area to heal properly. Here are some things that you should avoid to keep this clot in place.

• Spitting: Swallow your saliva or use a tissue.
• Straw: The suction of the straw can dislodge the blood clot.
• Smoking: Don’t smoke following your procedure.
• Touching: Keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgical site.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

Side effects are common following dental implant placement surgery. Here are some that you may run into.

• Bleeding: Minor bleeding during the recovery period is common. This can be reduced with clean gauze and light pressure.
• Inflammation: For the first 72 hours following your procedure, you may have some swelling. You can lessen this with a cold compress.
• Discomfort: Soreness is common following dental implant placement. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

After your procedure, it’s ideal to stick to softer foods so you don’t aggravate the surgical site. Here are a few suggestions.

• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Pasta
• Soup
• Oatmeal
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Ice cream

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

On the day following your surgery, brush your teeth and floss like you normally would. Just be particularly careful to avoid the dental implant site. To clean this area, gently rinse your mouth with salt water, after meals. When you pick out a mouthwash, choose one that doesn’t contain alcohol. This is because alcohol can irritate the surgical site, causing discomfort.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your replacement teeth have been secured to the dental implant, the difficult part is over! You might experience some slight discomfort and sensitivity as your mouth adjustments, but this should be easy to manage at home. At this point, you shouldn’t run into any swelling, bleeding, or extensive recovery. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your post-op care, let us know so we can help.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While it’s true that your dental implants cannot get cavities, you still do need to practice excellent dental hygiene to ensure they last. Oral health problems like gum disease can increase your risk of implant failure. Here are a few tips for caring for your new smile:

• Brush your teeth (both real and prosthetic) twice a day and floss once daily.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for your biannual check-up and cleaning, even if you have no remaining natural teeth.

Eat a Healthy Diet

The great news about dental implants is that you can use them to eat whatever you want, so feel free to enjoy a full, nutritious diet packed with the fresh, healthy foods you love. However, beware of overindulging in hard, sticky, or sugary foods, as these can damage your real and prosthetic teeth.

Eating a diet full of foods rich in calcium and vitamin C can help keep your jawbone strong and your gum tissue healthy, reducing your risk of implant failure.

Break Bad Habits

Bad habits can cause your dental implants to break off or fail, so be sure to make positive changes to improve your oral and overall health. Consider quitting smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco, all which can slow healing and encourage infection. Furthermore, stop using your teeth as tools and chewing on hard objects, as this can damage the crowns of your new implants.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Your dental implants may be strong and durable, but unfortunately, they’re not indestructible. Thus, be sure to protect them from accidental damage as much as possible. If you play sports, wear a sports mouthguard. If you grind your teeth (bruxism), wear a night guard. These steps can help protect your new smile from costly and painful dental emergencies.

Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups

Even if you have few or no remaining natural teeth, it is still very important that you visit Morgan Hill Dental Care every six months for your regular, biannual check-up and cleaning appointments. These appointments are your dentist’s opportunity to monitor your dental implants and spot any issues that may arise before they get worse.