Dental Implants

A dental implant provides an artificial replacement for missing teeth. Implants are strong and durable, approximating the look and feel of a natural tooth. With regular dental visits, dental implants are a reliable replacement for missing teeth.

A dental implant consists of two components, a titanium screw or post that anchors the implant to the jaw and a crown that is fabricated by a lab and delivered by your general dentist after healing.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, to replace several teeth with a dental bridge, or serve as support for dentures. Your dental implants will be highly customized through extensive preparation and planning by your periodontist.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Dental implants are generally considered to be a more permanent solution compared to traditional bridges and dentures. It is not uncommon for the same issue that caused the initial tooth loss to also damage the jawbone. In these cases, bone grafting must be undertaken before dental implant surgery can occur.

During the Procedure

During the procedure itself, Dr. Santiago will carefully follow the previously prepared implant plan to ensure proper placement. In some cases, a customized 3D printed guide will be pre-planned and printed to ensure that implants are placed with precision and to shorten the time spent in surgery.

Dr. Santiago will cut the gum to access the bone, then drill into the bone and place the post for the dental implant. A temporary cap is placed on the post at this time. Sometimes a temporary tooth can be placed on the implant at time of placement to preserve the gum tissue and aesthetics. A follow-up visit can ensure the procedure was successful before the permanent tooth is attached.

Recovery

Common side effects immediately following the surgery can include swelling and minor bleeding of the gums. Your doctor might prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics. You will likely also be put on a soft food diet and modified oral hygiene instructions for the surgical site.

All-On-4 Dental Implants

All-On-4 dental implants are among the latest developments in implant dentistry. They provide a solution that is practical while reducing downtime for patients that have many missing or compromised teeth.

This type of dental implant is called All-On-4 because it relies on four or more anchor points on the jaw upon which an entire row of fabricated teeth can be mounted. This is done instead of replacing every missing tooth individually.

You might also hear All-On-4 dental implants referred to as snap-in dentures or implant dentures. While they serve a similar purpose to dentures, they are a more long-term and stable solution for full teeth replacement.

Are All-On-4 Dental Implants Right for Me?

All-On-4 dental implants have a number of benefits. They have a lower profile than removable dentures, and you don’t have to take them out each night. The dental implant provides the same function as natural teeth, so you can eat and speak as you normally would.

These implants will not affect taste or your gag reflex. They’re some of the best options out there when you want to maintain normal habits. With regular maintenance visits, All-On-4 treatment can have minimal risks and side effects.

Reach out to East Bay Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today to find out whether All-On-4 implants are right for you.

During the Procedure

You might be intimidated about what this procedure entails, but you’ll be in good hands with Dr. Santiago and his team at East Bay Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.

All-On-4 surgery can be performed under intravenous or local anesthesia, depending on the specific needs of a patient. Once the patient is under anesthesia, the periodontist will remove the remaining damaged or broken teeth, along with any tissue that has become infected.

The periodontist then places the necessary number of dental implants into the jaw. These will serve as the anchor points for the dentures. The specific location and number of implants will depend on individual factors like the quality and quantity of available bone.

Recovery

There will likely be some discomfort during the initial 24 hours of recovery, along with the need to replace gauze pads hourly. For the days following surgery, you will have to avoid strenuous activity. You’ll also be given a medicated mouthwash to avoid bacterial build-up. Your diet will have to consist mostly of liquids and soft foods during the initial healing period until the implants fuse to the bone.

Individual cases can vary, so you’ll receive more specific follow-up instructions following your procedure.

Digital Implant Dentistry

Digital implant dentistry represents a major development in the way that dental implants are placed and East Bay Periodontics and Implant Dentistry uses the latest technology for the placement of dental implants. An intraoral digital scanner is one technology used during pre-surgery visits to produce a complete 3D rendering of the patient’s teeth and gums. This allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning when combined with a CT scan.

This technology is also used to render variations of potential implant size and position as well as visually demonstrate how they will look in the patient’s mouth with the existing gums and remaining teeth.

Cone beam imaging is another powerful tool we use that creates a visual of the inside of a patient’s mouth. It plays a key role in assessing bone quality, width, and height when the doctor is planning your case.

These imaging technologies can also be used to produce 3D-printed guides for implant placement to improve positioning.

Is Digital Implant Dentistry Right for Me?

Digital implant dentistry tools are used to plan every case here at East Bay Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. The advantage over traditional diagnostics is incredibly clear, and the tools are non-invasive and comfortable.

We strive to deliver the best dental implants in East Bay. For us, that means using the latest and best technologies available at every step of the process.

During the Procedure

For intraoral scans, a member of the team will take the intraoral scanner and insert the tip of the device into the patient’s mouth. The tip has a flashing light and sensors that produce an accurate 3D image. The cone beam scanner requires the patient to stand or sit in a specific position and have the device circle their head as it carries out the scan.