Dental Implants Specialist

What are dental implants?

A dental implant replaces your natural tooth root. It’s a small, screw-like post that your dentist places beneath your gum line during an outpatient procedure.

After an implant is placed, it integrates with your natural bone, providing a base for a restoration like a crown, a bridge, or implant-retained dentures. Since dental implants fuse with your jaw, they don’t move around like dentures. 

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants provide various benefits, including:

• Easier biting and chewing
• Clearer speech
• Improved oral health
• Confidence
• Durability

Dental implants are also easy to care for. You don’t have to remove and soak them like dentures. Instead, simply brush your teeth twice daily and visit the team at Los Gatos Dental twice a year for professional teeth cleaning and an oral exam.

Can anyone get dental implants?

To get dental implants, it’s important you have healthy gums and a strong jawbone. Before moving forward with treatment, your Los Gatos Dental provider reviews your dental records, takes X-rays, and conducts an oral exam. 

During the appointment, let your provider know if you have a chronic medical issue. This won’t prevent you from getting implants, but it may increase the risk of complications, so it’s important the team is aware.

What does getting dental implants involve?

At Los Gatos Dental, getting dental implants takes three visits spaced over several months.

If your dentist determines you’re a candidate, they place a number of implants beneath your gums during a brief outpatient procedure. Afterward, your mouth heals for several months while the implants fuse with your jaw.

When your mouth finishes healing, the team at Los Gatos Dental takes impressions. A dental laboratory uses those impressions to create one (or several) custom dental restorations. Depending on your needs, that might mean a crown, a bridge, or implant-retained dentures.

After the laboratory completes your custom restorations, you return to Los Gatos Dental. Your dentist bonds the restorations to your implants and explains how to keep them in optimal condition. 

How effective are dental implants?

Dental implants are incredibly effective and often last a lifetime*. Studies show that with proper care, dental implants have a 95% success rate. To reduce the risk of complications, take care of your teeth and gums, get regular dental checkups, and learn how to maintain your restorations.

To see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, make an appointment at Los Gatos Dental by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today. 

*Individual results may vary.