Dental Implants
Therapy at Muir Family Dentistry
Despite your best efforts to maintain good oral hygiene and dental care, tooth loss may occur throughout life due to gum disease, decay, injury, other types of diseases or oral health issues entirely outside of your control.
Dental implants are a durable, permanent tooth replacement option for patients missing teeth that restore your smile to its natural beauty and promote healthy jawbone development in the absence of natural teeth roots.
At Muir Family Dentistry, our oral surgeons offer both a single tooth implant and multiple tooth implant surgery depending on a patient’s needs. We also work with a wide network of oral health professionals to assist with the implant process, should your treatment require them.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are comprised of a variety of parts that work together to mimic a natural tooth and attaching roots to your jawbone. These parts include:
- The dental implant itself, which is a titanium metal post that attaches to the jawbone. Implants are designed to fuse to your bone and promote bone growth over time. Titanium is durable, bio-friendly and very common in surgeries like hip and knee replacements, making it the perfect fit.
- The abutment, or the screw that fits atop the post and sticks out from your gums. This part securely attaches your new prosthetic tooth to the prosthetic implant root.
- The crown, which is the ceramic replacement for your actual tooth. Crowns are uniquely designed to match the rest of your natural teeth and are the only visible part of your completed implant.
Like the components of an implant itself, the process is performed in multiple different stages that build atop each other. This is so your mouth, bone and gums have adequate time to heal and support your crown.
What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is a process that requires intimate knowledge of your mouth, natural teeth, gum health and bone health. Implants are custom-designed to match and blend seamlessly in with your natural teeth and mouth, making them an excellent choice for physical and aesthetic restoration.
First, our team will determine the proper treatment plan for your oral health needs. This includes closely evaluating your bone structure and if you have enough bone to support your implants. A bone graft from an oral surgeron may be needed if not.
From here, the implant itself will be attached to your jawbone. This requires a surgical process and time for your mouth to heal before your permanent crown is attached. In its place, we will provide a temporary crown that allows you to perform essential functions like chewing, speaking and smiling.
Finally, your permanent crown will be securely screwed to your implant and abutment. We will work with our team of professionals to design a crown just for you and your specific mouth aesthetics.
Following attachment of your crown, your implant procedure is now complete and should last for years to come. If your crown does end up getting damaged or unscrewing, we offer non-surgical implant restoration services for easy replacement.
Dental implants require an investment of both time and money, and the total healing time may require four to six months. Dr. Stephen Francis and the Muir Family Dentistry team are here for you every step of the way and welcome you to call us at 925-372-4747 with any questions or issues you may have.
How Do I Care For My New Dental Implants?
Since dental implants function exactly like a natural tooth, you must care for them as you would for the rest of your mouth. While ceramic crowns can’t decay, they are subject to cracking, chipping, damage and wear and tear.
Make sure to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss, maintain regular hygiene appointments and wear an athletic mouthguard when playing contact sports or doing activities where your teeth could be damaged.
Looking for Dental Implants in Martinez and the Surrounding Bay Area area?
Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. To ensure the best results:
- Avoid chewing on the affected tooth until the final restoration is placed.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.
- Take prescribed antibiotics if necessary to prevent reinfection.
- Schedule follow-up visits as recommended by your dentist.
A treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper care, helping you avoid extractions and maintain a natural, healthy smile.
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