Dental Implants in Fremont, CA

Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Fremont, CA

Do you need a tooth replaced in Fremont, CA? Will you need one soon?

Dental implants might be the perfect solution for your dental restoration! It’s ideal for anyone wanting a permanent solution with easy maintenance.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They're one of the most popular tooth restoration options, as they create a beautiful, natural smile.

Dental implants are the anchors that hold artificial teeth in place. They are screw-like rods inserted into the jawbone where a tooth is missing.

Over a few months, your jawbone will grow around, and bond to the implant.

From there, a small metal piece (abutment) is attached to each implant. The abutment is then topped with a dental crown (or cap).

What are the Parts of a Dental Implant?

The term dental implant is loosely used to refer to all the components involved. In reality, the dental implant itself is just one of the three main parts involved in this procedure.

Implant

The implant is the part that acts as the root. It is metal, screw-like hardware that anchors to the jawbone. In a couple of months, your jawbone will fuse to it and make it a permanent fixture.

Abutment

The abutment is the link between the implant and crown. It gets threaded into the implant and allows the crown to attach to the top.

Crown

The crown (also referred to as a cap) replaces your tooth. The dental crown attaches to the abutment with a small screw to fix it into place.

What Are Dental Implants Made Of?

There are only a few trusted materials used to make each part of a dental implant. The reason is that not all materials are strong enough for the job. Plus, they need to be biocompatible.

Teeth endure a lot of stress so strength is vital. Equally important is biocompatibility. Your body doesn’t like foreign objects inside of it. If your body detects something that isn't biocompatible, it triggers an immune response.

Not only will your body have an adverse reaction, but your jawbone also won’t be able to grow around it and create a bond.

Implant

The implant is generally only made from one of two materials – titanium or zirconia. Both are very strong and bone has no problem bonding to each.

Titanium is the preferred material because it tends to be more durable at a slightly lower cost.

However, zirconia is in the ceramic family, so it’s a perfect solution for anyone with a metal allergy.

Abutment

Like implants, the preferred materials for dental abutments are titanium and zirconia. As you might have guessed, it’s for the same reasons – strength and biocompatibility.

The materials are rarely, if ever, mixed and matched. Meaning, if you get a titanium implant, your abutment will be titanium. If you get a zirconia implant, your abutment is zirconia.

Crown

The dental crown is where you have some options. It all depends on your preference.

Metal crowns are more noticeable but last the longest (20+ years). Or you can pick something with a slightly shorter lifespan, such as porcelain or ceramic (about 15 years). Porcelain and ceramic might have a shorter lifespan, but they will blend well with your natural teeth.

If it seems like a big decision, don’t worry! Dr. Chew will be able to walk you through all the pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your specific situation.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants can last an entire lifetime if cared for properly. This means keeping up with regular dental visits and oral hygiene.

Compared to other tooth replacement options, such as fixed bridges or dentures, dental implants have the longest lifespan. They also look and feel more natural than less-permanent options like dentures.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The cost of dental implants varies depending on a few things, such as:

How many teeth need to be replaced
The material chosen for the dental implant (zirconia is more expensive than titanium)
Additional treatment needed, such as bone grafting