Dental Implants at Total Health Dental Care

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. This post integrates with your bone tissue through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for a replacement tooth. Once the implant has fused with the bone, a custom crown, bridge, or denture attaches to the implant, completing your tooth replacement.

Implants for teeth help restore both function and appearance, allowing you to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Unlike traditional bridges that require grinding down adjacent healthy teeth or removable dentures that can slip and cause discomfort, dental implants stand independently without affecting surrounding teeth. They look, feel, and function similarly to natural teeth and are widely considered one of the most durable tooth-replacement options.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Tooth Implants?

Ideal candidates for tooth implants include patients who:

• Are missing one or more teeth due to decay, injury, or other causes

• Have healthy gums free from active periodontal disease

• Possess adequate jawbone density and volume to support implants

• Want a stable, long-term alternative to removable dentures 

• Want a long-term tooth replacement option that preserves facial structure

• Are committed to maintaining excellent oral hygiene

• Do not smoke, or are willing to stop during healing, since smoking can interfere with implant success, or are willing to quit during the healing process

During your consultation, our dentist for dental implants will evaluate your oral health, review your medical history, and determine if you're a suitable candidate. Patients with insufficient bone may still qualify after bone grafting procedures to build up the jaw.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

1. Natural Look & Feel: Our dental implants are designed to seamlessly blend with your existing teeth, providing a natural-looking and feeling restoration that's truly out of this world!

2. Long-lasting Solution: With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a durable and cost-effective choice for restoring your smile.

3. Preserve Your Jawbone: Dental implants act as an artificial tooth root, helping to maintain your jawbone's structure and preventing the bone loss often associated with missing teeth.

4. Enjoy Your Favorite Foods: Say goodbye to dietary restrictions! Dental implants allow you to bite, chew, and savor your favorite foods without worry.

We offer dental implant services in Oakland, Belmont, Piedmont, Emeryville, Montclair, Albany, and Berkeley.

What to Expect During the Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant procedure follows a systematic approach designed to ensure optimal results:

Consultation and Oral Health Evaluation: The process begins with an examination where we assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and review your medical history. We check for any conditions that could affect treatment success.

Digital Imaging and Treatment Planning: Advanced 3D imaging technology maps your jaw structure, allowing precise implant placement planning. We determine the optimal implant size, angle, and position for your specific anatomy.

Dental Implant Placement: During a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia or sedation, the titanium implant post is carefully placed into your jawbone. The gum tissue is then sutured closed over or around the implant.

Healing and Integration with the Jawbone: Over the next several months, osseointegration occurs as your bone grows around the implant, creating a secure bond. This healing period is crucial for long-term implant success.

Final Crown or Restoration Placement: Once integration is complete, an abutment (connector piece) is attached to the implant, and your custom crown, bridge, or denture is secured. Your restoration is carefully matched to your natural teeth in color, shape, and size.

How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?

Dental implant surgery timing varies by case complexity. Placing a single tooth implant often takes about one to two hours, depending on the case. Multiple implants require longer appointments proportional to the number being placed.

Designed for long-term tooth replacement - With proper care, dental implants can last for many years, and some may last decades. The healing period between implant placement and final restoration accounts for most of this time, as osseointegration cannot be rushed. Factors affecting timeline include bone quality and density, whether bone grafting is needed, your overall health and healing capacity, and the number of implants being placed.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants provide numerous advantages over other tooth replacement options:

• Stable support for replacement teeth - Implants anchor firmly in bone, eliminating the slipping and movement common with dentures

• Natural-looking results - Custom crowns match your natural teeth in color, shape, and translucency for seamless aesthetics

• Helps preserve jawbone structure - Implants stimulate bone tissue like natural tooth roots, preventing the bone loss that occurs with missing teeth

• Improves chewing and speaking comfort - Stable implants restore full biting force and eliminate the speech difficulties that removable dentures can cause

• Designed for long-term tooth replacement - With proper care, dental implants can last decades or even a lifetime

• Protects adjacent teeth - Unlike bridges that require grinding down healthy neighboring teeth, implants stand independently

• Easy to maintain - Care for implants just like natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups