Dental Implant Patient

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth or teeth that are so decayed or damaged that they need extraction. Sometimes teeth can be saved with crowns or root canals.

Dental implants can be more costly than bridges or other alternatives, but they certainly have their advantages as well.

Dr. Sablan partners with a trusted oral surgeon who places the actual implant post, while Dr. Sablan places the crown. However, it is important to choose the right treatment path and to see if you are a candidate for dental implants. Dr. Sablan will examine your mouth and the state of your teeth to see which option to handle your missing or badly decayed teeth will work best for you.

To schedule a No-Charge Consultation with Dr. Sablan call 510-252-0555 (Fremont Office) or (Pleasanton Office) or click here to schedule online.

Implant diagram

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a tooth that feels and functions like a natural tooth. It is used where there are one or more missing teeth. It is usually composed of a titanium metal screw and a ceramic crown. Not only does a dental implant fill unsightly gaps in a smile, they are also important to deter bone loss.

How is a dental implant placed?

To devise the best treatment plan for you, we first review your medical and dental history and do a thorough oral examination, including x-rays.

The placing of the post is performed using a local anesthetic. Depending upon your individual situation, other types of anesthesia may be used to ensure your comfort.

The tooth restoration part of the dental implant (the crown) is made to match your other teeth in shape and color so that it will blend in seamlessly.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are often a better option for missing teeth than either bridges or dentures.

Because dental implants are patterned after the structure of your natural teeth, they provide a highly stable support system for the replacement teeth (crowns) or dentures. Other benefits include:

  • Improved biting pressure so you can eat any foods you want. Healthy teeth are able to absorb over 500 pounds of biting pressure per square inch. If you've worn dentures for a long time, that pressure may be diminished significantly, to one-tenth of your natural teeth. Dental implants can often restore the amount of pressure that can be withstood to nearly the same level of healthy natural teeth.
  • Deter further tooth and bone loss. Without an anchoring root, natural or placed in the jaw bone, the bone in the jaw deteriorates which can cause other teeth to loosen.
  • Comfort and fit. Because your replacement teeth are anchored securely to the implants in your jawbone, they can't slip and slide like unsecured dentures can. When dentures aren't secure enough, they often cause sores in the mouth and make an annoying clicking sound. Dental implants eliminate these problems.
  • Permanently fixed and won't loosen as in dentures.
  • No nightly care and adhesives.
  • Longevity and reliability. With proper oral hygiene and care, scientifically tested and approved dental implant systems have been shown to last as long as 20 years or more with few complications.
  • No need to reshape adjacent teeth as in bridges.
  • Increased self-confidence. Because dental implants function remarkably like natural teeth, most people who get them experience a renewed sense of self-confidence once they realize they can again chew, talk, laugh and smile with confidence.

Are you a candidate for Dental Implants?

If you face the loss of one or several teeth or if you're dissatisfied with dentures or other options available to you, you may find that dental implants are right for you.

Age is not typically a major factor: successful dental implants have been performed on young people as well as the elderly.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Sablan will help you decide. In general, we look for the following characteristics:

  • general good health
  • healthy gums
  • sufficient underlying jawbone to support the implants
  • a good attitude to ensure that you follow through with vital oral hygiene habits

People who are not good candidates for dental implants include:

  • Young patients whose jawbones have not fully developed.
  • Pregnant women.
  • People with existing medical conditions. If you can have routine dental treatment, you can generally have an implant placed.
  • Patients who take certain medications such as steroids or drugs that suppress the immune system.

Schedule a No-Charge Consultation

Dr. Sablan can evaluate you to see if you would be a good candidate to receive implants. Call 510-252-0555 (Fremont Office) or (Pleasanton Office) or click here to schedule online.

New Patient Special $100 Exam and X-rays

Dental Special Offer

We would like to welcome you to our practice with this special offer – a full oral exam including x-rays for only $100 – a savings of over $100. This offer is available for new patients only.

To take advantage of this offer, call 510-252-0555 (Fremont Office) or (Pleasanton Office) or click here to request an appointment online.