Dental Implants Los Gatos
The Unparalleled Gold Standard of Tooth Replacement
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, patients often have a few different options to choose from, however, there is no other option quite as exciting as dental implants! These have completely reshaped the entire field of dentistry, and Dr. Herrera and our team can utilize them to rebuild a single tooth or even entire smiles. To learn more about dental implants or to set up a consultation with Dr. Herrera, feel free to contact our office in Los Gatos today.
Why Choose Cristina Herrera, DDS for Dental Implants?
- Advanced Dental Technology Ensures Optimal Results
- Dental Insurance Accepted and Financing Available
- Implant Process Completed Entirely In-House
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants refer to small posts made from biocompatible materials like titanium that are surgically placed beneath the gumline, directly into a patient’s jawbone. A custom-made restoration is attached to the posts once they’ve healed. Dental implants are very different from other methods of tooth replacement since they can fully replace the roots of lost teeth. This means they can also prevent issues like bone resorption and dental drift, which are unfavorable results of tooth loss.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation – The dental implant process begins with a consultation appointment. Dr. Herrera will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine if dental implants are a suitable option for you. Some patients might need to undergo a bone graft or periodontal treatment beforehand.
- Dental Implant Surgery – You’ll be happy to hear that we can complete your dental implant surgery here in our practice, meaning you won’t have to coordinate with other offices or teams. The procedure itself is fairly straightforward; the patient’s mouth is numbed, and the posts are placed directly into the jaw by entering through the gum tissue. It usually takes about an hour or so to place each implant.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – Osseointegration refers to the fusion between the posts and jawbone tissue. This process is what grants dental implants such impressive stability, and it takes roughly 3 to 6 months for the posts to fully integrate. Afterward, the abutments can be attached, which are responsible for securing your replacement teeth.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – Dental implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth, no matter where they’re located inside the mouth. This means your custom restoration that’s attached to your abutments will look and feel just like your original teeth. We’ll call you back one last time to outfit you with this restoration so you can enjoy having a complete smile once more!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement due to the sheer number of lifestyle benefits they offer patients, including:
- Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and functionality of natural teeth.
- Under ideal circumstances and with excellent oral hygiene, dental implants can last for decades.
- Dental implants provide continued stimulation to the underlying jawbone, preventing it from shrinking/deteriorating.
- Dental implants cannot decay or get cavities.
- Patients with dental implants are able to enjoy virtually all types of foods thanks to greatly restored chewing power.