Dental Implants — Salinas, CA
Permanent, Natural-Looking Tooth Replacements
Dental implants are a durable solution that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth! This is possible thanks to a titanium anchor that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. If you think a dental implant might be the right choice for you, Dr. Hajdari will conduct a thorough evaluation of your bone structure and oral health. If he determines you are a good candidate for the procedure, he can perform the entire treatment right here in our office. Give Blanco Circle Dental Care a call to learn more!
Why Choose Blanco Circle Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implants Placed and Restored In-House
- Mini Dental Implants Available
- Flexible Financing Options Provided
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of three main components to replace teeth. This includes the titanium post that sits within the jaw, the crown, bridge, or denture that attaches directly to it, and the abutment that connects them together to provide stability. Once fully healed and integrated, your dental implant should feel nearly indistinguishable from your neighboring teeth. Due to their incredible longevity, reliable functionality, and outstanding esthetics, dentists regularly recommend them over traditional options. While they can be more expensive upfront, the investment is largely considered to be worthwhile compared to other options which are far more likely to require replacement later.
The Dental Implant Process
Dental implant treatment is typically completed in multiple steps over the course of several months. Here is a breakdown of each step along the way to your newly restored smile:
Step 1: Initial Consultation – Dr. Hajdari will thoroughly evaluate your bone structure and oral health to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Step 2: Implant Placement – The implant or implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath the gums. While many dental practices have to send their patients to an outside specialist for this step, Blanco Circle Dental Care offers start-to-finish dental implant treatment!
Step 3: Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment – You will be given 4 to 6 months to let the dental implant heal and fuse with the surrounding jawbone. Once this process is complete, you will return to our office so Dr. Hajdari can place an abutment, which is the piece that connects an implant to an artificial tooth or other dental prosthetic.
Step 4: Restoration –Just a few weeks later, you will be ready for the final visit, in which your new tooth, bridge or denture will be securely attached to your dental implant(s).
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are an incredibly effective and reliable way to restore missing teeth. In fact, according to research published in The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, dental implant treatment has a success rate of up to 95%! That means out of the millions of dental implants placed each year in the U.S., only about 5% of them fail.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
If you are missing one or more teeth and feel unhappy with the way your smile looks, you are likely a good candidate for dental implants. Excellent candidates for dental implants must have:
- Healthy gums
- Adequate jawbone thickness
- Excellent oral hygiene habits
If you have gum disease or a deteriorated jawbone after years of wearing dentures, your dentist may recommend gum disease therapy or a bone graft to fortify the jawbone before approving dental implant treatment. With that said, they can be used to replace any number of teeth!
Missing One Tooth
Dental implants imitate nature as the surrounding bone tissue fuses with the titanium post, which creates a stable foundation for your restoration. After the anchor is secured, Dr. Hajdari will attach a color-matched porcelain crown that will blend flawlessly with your natural teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
An implant bridge replaces missing teeth when there are still healthy ones remaining in the gum line. It can be fixed or removable. By replacing the missing teeth as well as their roots, dental implants keep the remaining natural teeth healthy and where they should be in the gum line. Without a comprehensive tooth replacement, the jawbone may shrink and cause the remaining teeth to get loose, shift around, or fall out.
Missing All Teeth
If you have lost several teeth, dental implants can act as anchors for a denture. That means no more worrying that your teeth will slip around or fall out when you are least expecting it -- dental implants add stability to the bite and reassure patients that their restorations will remain securely in place while eating, speaking, and laughing.
A complete denture retained by dental implants replaces all the missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It won’t slip around or rub blisters in your soft oral tissues. You won’t need an implant for each missing tooth -- a complete denture can be held in place on as few as six dental implants.
Learn More About Implant Dentures
Mini Dental Implants
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, we also place mini dental implants when the traditional method isn’t the best solution for your oral health needs. Just like the name suggests, mini dental implants are like traditional implants -- but smaller. At their largest, mini implants are half as wide as traditional ones.
Mini dental implants can be placed and restored with prosthetic teeth in just a few hours. They can secure a single crown, a bridge, or new dentures. Mini implants can also be used to retain an existing denture that is loose or uncomfortable.
The procedure for mini dental implants is completed in a single appointment and requires only minimally invasive surgery that can be performed under local anesthesia. Healing times are shorter compared to traditional dental implants. That makes mini dental implants a good option for patients with limited budgets, people with certain health problems affecting the immune system, or those who would need to undergo a bone augmentation procedure before receiving their implants.
Compared to traditional dental implants, mini dental implants offer the following benefits:
- Can be completed on the same day
- Minimally invasive
- Usually require only local anesthesia for total comfort
- May be more affordable than conventional implants
- Eliminate the need for preparatory bone graft procedures
- Can secure an existing denture
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
As the only comprehensive tooth replacement option currently available, dental implants in Salinas are the premier choice for giving you back a healthy, beautiful, confident smile. They do come at a higher price than other tooth replacement options, though. Many patients are initially discouraged by the seemingly-high cost of dental implants -- but there’s no reason to be! There are a number of ways you can make your quality tooth replacement fit within your budget. Keep reading to find out what they are.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The total price of a dental implant procedure is dependent on a few factors and can vary widely from patient to patient. To give you a better idea of what your dental implants will cost, your implant dentist will schedule a consultation to evaluate three things: the health of your jawbone, the location of the missing teeth, and how many implants you will need. Each of these factors plays a role in the final price tag of your implant procedure.
- Health of your jawbone: Many patients need to have a preliminary procedure, like a bone graft or sinus lift before they can get dental implants. These bone augmentations add to the total cost of your procedure.
- Location of the missing teeth: Because replacing front teeth requires a more delicate procedure, it may be more expensive to place a dental implant in the front of the smile than the back.
- How many implants: Of course, the number of implants you need will decide how much material must be used and how complex the procedure is, thus influencing the total cost of your care.
How to Make Dental Implants Affordable
Are you concerned about the cost of a dental implant procedure? You will not necessarily have to pay the full amount out-of-pocket. Our team is well versed in ways to help make your dental care more affordable!
For example, putting funds in an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) towards your dental implants can help to reduce the cost of your tooth replacement in Salinas. Unlike with dental insurance, you are free to use the money in an FSA to both the implant post and crown. Talk to us about how you can strategically use an FSA at the end of the calendar year to ensure it covers both portions of the implant procedure.
You can also make use of CareCredit, a third-party financing option that can make even the most expensive dental treatments fit into a reasonable monthly budget.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Taking care of dental implants is very similar to taking care of your natural smile. To help ensure your dental implants last as long as possible, be sure to:
- Brush twice a day for a full two minutes each time
- Floss at least once a day
- Visit us at Blanco Circle Dental Care twice a year for a dental exam and professional cleaning
If you follow these 3 easy tips, you can expect your dental implant to last for decades – or perhaps even the rest of your life! Meanwhile, the dental prosthetic attached to your dental implant will likely need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years due to normal wear and tear.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants are a preferred tooth replacement option because of their numerous unique benefits. However, they are quite an investment, so it pays to be well-informed. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental implants in Salinas. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial consultation.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The lifespan of dental implants typically depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that implants last, it’s important that you brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash on a daily basis. Attend your regular dental cleanings and checkups, and don’t chew on anything particularly hard or sticky. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last for upwards of 30 years. This is several times longer than traditional bridges and dentures.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
The jawbone doesn’t have very many nerve endings, and your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You will also most likely be sedated, therefore limiting your body’s ability to register pain. Even though you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the surgery, your mouth may be sore for a few days afterwards. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed medication as directed. Cold compresses can also help to numb discomfort. If pain worsens instead of improving after 2 to 3 days, give us a call.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Most patients only need to take one or two days off in order to get dental implants. If your job is physically demanding, you should probably take at least three or four days off. This is because heavy exercise can divert blood from the implant site and delay healing. During your initial consultation, we’ll be able to give you a more specific recommendation for your unique case.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?
If your diabetes is under control, your odds of dental implant success are generally comparable to those of nondiabetic patients. Uncontrolled diabetes can slow down the healing process, making it harder for your implants to integrate with your jawbone. If you are interested in getting dental implants but are diabetic, talk to your endocrinologist or primary care doctor about getting your blood sugar levels under control beforehand.
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
Dental implants in Salinas are meant to serve as a permanent solution for tooth loss. Implant posts are surgically placed in your jawbone to replicate roots. Your bone will fuse to them through a process called osseointegration. As a result, only a trained dental professional can remove them. However, some implant dentures can be taken out for easier cleaning.
How Successful are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the most reliable method of treating tooth loss with over a 95% success rate. They provide predictable results with the right aftercare, like brushing, flossing, and using a daily mouthwash. It is best to eat a healthy diet and limit hard or chewy foods. It's important to live a healthy lifestyle to safeguard your investment. Besides caring for your smile at home, visit your dentist regularly to ensure your new smile thrives for decades.
What Are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
The risk of implant failure is less than 5%, but it's important to watch for any signs of a complication, like red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Don't ignore any painful sensations near the implant. It's best to contact your implant dentist in Salinas at the first sign of anything concerning. Your dentist will find the source of the issue to prevent your new smile from failing. Don't wait until it's too late to contact our office.
What Should I Do If My Implant Feels Loose?
After your jawbone integrates with the post, it should never feel loose. If the post wiggles or feels unstable, contact our office right away. In some cases, the issue can be from a loose restoration, while more severe concerns can include dental implant failure. We'll create the personalized plan you need to save your smile.
Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?
You're never too old for dental implants; however, with age comes certain health issues that can affect your body's ability to heal and fight infections. You can have an added risk of complications, but your dentist will take precautions to support the success of your investment. You may also need a little prep work before your placement surgery, like tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting. Your dentist will create an individualized strategy to safely replace your missing teeth.
Can I Use My Dental Insurance to Pay for Dental Implants?
It's not likely your insurance benefits will cover the entire cost of dental implants, but they can be used to lower certain steps in your treatment plan, like any imaging, preliminary treatments, or restorations. After meeting your annual deductible, your policy can pay up to 80% of the cost for some procedures. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any appropriate coverage. We will explain how your benefits are being used and discuss any remaining balance. We offer many payment options for any out-of-pocket expenses, like monthly installments with little or no interest through a third-party financing company. We will help you find the solutions you need to keep dental implants within your budget.