Dental Implant Surgery, Cupertino CA

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are as close as we can get to replacing your natural teeth. If maintained properly, they are one of the longest-lasting dental procedures, when compared to traditional crown or bridge work. They are designed to mimic a root of a natural tooth by acting as a foundation for an eventual crown that will look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat normally, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours, i.e. lips projection/fullness will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence. If you have dentures that continue to fall out during normal activity, such as talking or eating, an implant-supported denture may be a solution.

What Are Dental Implants?

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. On Average on a 2-6 month period the bone bonds with the titanium, a.k.a osteointegration, while creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.

Based on long-term studies, the success rate for implants ranges anywhere from 92 – 98%, making them one of the most predictable medical or dental procedures we provide. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

The typical Surgical Procedure: two-stage procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures, most commonly referred to as a “2-stage” procedure. First, the implant is placed within the jawbone, with a healing abutment, i.e. “cap”. For the next 2-6 months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums “osteointegrating”.

In the meantime, you will be able to wear a temporary prosthesis, i.e. “stay-plate” or “flipper”, with a temporary tooth and eat a soft diet during this time. This is something your dentist will fabricate for you prior to surgery.

Implant placed with healing abutment to protect the implant for 2-6 months

Patient with a missing tooth

Patient wearing the stay-plate on top of the healing abutment as the implant osteointegrates.

Stay-plate outside of the mouth fabricated by your dentist

Patient with the final crown placed 4 months afterwards

Patient with the final crown placed 4 months afterwards

After the implant has “osseointegrated” into the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Massoomi will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums and will act as anchors for the final crown. Once the crown is placed, your implant will look and feel like a natural tooth.

The entire procedure usually takes 3 to 6 months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Surgical Advances: single-stage

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, we are now able to replace a failing tooth with an implant during the same visit. This is what most people refer to as “tooth in an hour”.

These implants are placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – minimizing the number of surgical procedures.

Dental Implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and your dentist. While Dr. Massoomi performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions; the restorative dentist (your dentist) will place the final crown on the implant.

In contrast to the two-stage implant placement where your dentist fabricates the temporary crown/prosthesis, we would make any temporary crown during the implant process, so you leave with a temporary tooth that is indistinguishable to any layperson.

This patient presented to our office with a broken tooth. During the same visit, under IV sedation, were able to extract the remaining root, place an immediate implant with an immediate esthetic temporary crown. He was able to walkout with a tooth!

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

• A single temporary crown is used to replace one missing tooth, where the temporary is typically either attached to its underlying implant or rests on the adjacent teeth – i.e. “Essix- retainer”.
• A “partial denture” is something that replaces more than one tooth in a single jaw.
• A “complete denture” is something that replaces all of someone’s teeth in a single jaw.

These removable types of prostheses can be permanently secured to the jaws using multiple implants. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of prosthesis you desire: removable or fixed?

A removable prosthesis, also known as an overdenture, attaches to a bar or ball-in-socket attachment, whereas a fixed prosthesis is a permanent implant-supported bridge that can only be removed by your dentist for cleanings and maintenance.

Dr. Massoomi performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting.

Why Dental Implants?

Once you learn about dental implants, you will finally realize there is no better way to improve your smile. When you lose several teeth – whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years – chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

Are You A Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcomes, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.

What Type Of Anesthesia Is Used?

The majority of dental implants and bone grafts can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without IV sedation.

We promise to make your surgical experience something you will never remember. That’s the advantage to sedation, in addition to all the other medications that are given via IV access to reduce your post-op nausea, swelling, and pain. It’s painless surgery…if you don’t believe us, just ask our patients!

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time to perform daily oral hygiene, just like your natural teeth, by brushing and flossing then and keeping your 6-month appointments with your general dentist for cleanings.

Take the next step to replace your missing teeth today! Call Dental Implant Pro Phone Number 408-253-6081 to schedule a consultation.