Dental Implants
If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the most advanced and long-lasting solution available in modern dentistry. At Mt. Hermon Dental Care, we provide implant restorations that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, helping you regain your confidence and your quality of life.
What Dental Implants Can Do
Dental implants do more than replace a missing tooth — they restore the entire structure from root to crown and protect your oral health for the long term. Unlike other tooth replacement options, implants address the underlying causes of bone loss and preserve the integrity of your surrounding teeth. Dental implants can:
- Replace a single tooth or multiple teeth
- Prevent jawbone loss after tooth loss
- Preserve the structure of surrounding natural teeth
- Restore full chewing and speaking function
- Support a crown, bridge, or full denture
- Improve the appearance and symmetry of your smile
- Provide a permanent, low-maintenance solution
- Help maintain the natural shape of your face
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning it is accepted by the body and fuses naturally with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. Once fully integrated, the implant serves as a stable and permanent foundation for a natural-looking crown, bridge, or denture.
The implant itself is not visible once placed, it sits entirely beneath the gumline and functions just like a natural tooth root. What you see is the restoration attached to it, which is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth. The result is a replacement tooth that is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth are good candidates for dental implants. The most important factors are your overall health, your oral health, and the density of your jawbone. If you are healthy enough to undergo a routine tooth extraction, you are likely healthy enough to receive a dental implant. Age is rarely a limiting factor — what matters most is that you are in good general health.
Patients with certain conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or insufficient bone density may require additional treatment before implants can be placed. In cases where bone loss has occurred, a bone grafting procedure can be performed to build up the necessary support. We will evaluate your situation thoroughly before making any recommendations and will let you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.
The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process typically takes place over several months to allow adequate time for the implant to integrate with the jawbone. During your initial consultation, we will take detailed images of your teeth and jaw and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Every step of the process is carefully planned to ensure the best possible outcome.
The implant is placed during a minor surgical procedure performed right here in our office. After placement, a healing period of several months allows the implant to fuse with the bone before the final restoration is attached. A temporary restoration is provided during this time so you are never without a tooth while you wait. Once integration is complete, a custom crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the implant to finish the restoration.
Single Tooth Implants
A single tooth implant is the ideal solution for replacing one missing tooth without affecting the surrounding teeth. Unlike a traditional bridge, which requires the adjacent teeth to be filed down to serve as anchors, a single implant stands entirely on its own. This preserves the structure and integrity of your healthy teeth while still filling the gap with a restoration that looks and functions naturally.
A single implant crowned with a custom porcelain or ceramic restoration is virtually impossible to distinguish from your natural teeth. It can be brushed and flossed just like any other tooth and requires no special maintenance beyond regular oral hygiene and dental visits. For patients missing a single tooth, a single tooth implant is the most conservative and long-lasting option available.
Implant-Supported Bridges
When multiple adjacent teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge offers a fixed and stable solution without the need to involve the surrounding natural teeth. Rather than relying on healthy teeth as anchors, the bridge is supported by implants placed on either side of the gap. This distributes the load evenly and eliminates the need to alter any healthy tooth structure.
Implant-supported bridges are custom-fabricated to blend naturally with your remaining teeth and provide a comfortable, functional bite. Because they are fixed in place and supported by implants, they offer superior stability compared to traditional tooth-supported bridges and do not require any special removal or adhesive for maintenance. They are a durable and natural-looking solution for patients missing two or more consecutive teeth.
Full Arch Implants
For patients who are missing all or most of their teeth in an arch, full arch implant treatment offers a fixed, permanent alternative to traditional dentures. Using a small number of strategically placed implants, a full arch restoration can be anchored securely in the jaw, eliminating the movement, discomfort, and maintenance challenges associated with removable appliances.
Full arch implant treatment is carefully planned using advanced imaging to determine the optimal placement of each implant for maximum support and function. The result is a complete set of teeth that is fixed firmly in place and functions like natural teeth in every way. Patients who make the switch from traditional dentures to full arch implants consistently report a dramatic improvement in their comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implant treatment varies depending on how many teeth need to be replaced, how much preparatory work is required, and which type of restoration is being used. A single implant and crown will differ in cost from an implant-supported bridge or a full arch restoration. We will examine your mouth, determine whether you are a good candidate, and provide you with a clear estimate before any treatment begins so you can make an informed decision about your care.
What happens if I do not replace a missing tooth?
When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the jawbone in that area begins to lose density over time because there is no longer a root to stimulate it. This can cause neighboring teeth to shift into the gap, alter your bite, and change the shape of your face. The longer a tooth is left unreplaced, the more complex the treatment required to address the consequences. Replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible is always the best course of action for your long-term oral health.
Why an Implant Is Better Than a Bridge
- Improved appearance – Dental implants prevent jawbone loss, which helps keep your face looking younger. Bridges cover gaps but do not prevent this bone loss.
- Preserve natural teeth – Unlike traditional bridges, which require filing down adjacent teeth to accommodate anchor crowns, implants preserve the structure of your surrounding teeth.
- Permanent solution – Unlike other dental treatment options which may require eventual replacement, implants do not need regular repair or adjustment.
- Natural looking teeth – Implant-supported restorations look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They restore your smile and give you confidence.
- Full chewing capability – Dental implants restore your chewing functionality to the level of your original teeth, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods with ease.
- Possible single-appointment treatment – Using keyhole surgery, dental implants can be placed during a single visit. This minimizes the soft tissue affected, speeds recovery time, and reduces discomfort. The conventional treatment can take three to six months, during which the implant integrates with the jawbone and a temporary prosthesis is worn.
- Normal follow-up care – Caring for your implant is just like caring for your natural teeth, requiring only regular oral hygiene and dental visits.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
In order for a dental implant to integrate successfully, there must be sufficient bone in the jaw to support it. Patients who have experienced bone loss due to tooth loss, gum disease, or injury may not have enough bone density to receive an implant without additional preparation. In these cases, a bone grafting procedure can be performed to rebuild the necessary bone volume before implant placement.
Bone grafting involves placing a small amount of bone grafting material into the area of deficiency, which stimulates the body to generate new bone tissue over time. The grafting material may come from your own body, a donor source, or a synthetic material, depending on your specific situation. We will discuss your options with you and recommend the approach that is best suited to your needs.
The healing period following a bone graft varies depending on the extent of the procedure but typically takes several months before the implant can be placed. While this adds time to the overall treatment process, it is an essential step in ensuring the implant has a solid foundation to integrate with. Skipping this step when it is needed can compromise the long-term success of the implant.
Not every patient who has experienced bone loss will require a full bone graft. In some cases, a minor augmentation procedure is all that is needed to create sufficient support for the implant. We use detailed imaging to evaluate your bone volume precisely and determine the most appropriate course of action before treatment begins.
Bone grafting has become a routine part of implant dentistry and is performed comfortably right here in our office. Recovery is typically straightforward, and most patients find the experience far more manageable than they anticipated. We will walk you through every step of the process and make sure you feel informed and prepared before your procedure.
For patients who have been told in the past that they are not candidates for implants due to bone loss, it is worth scheduling a consultation to find out whether bone grafting could make implant treatment possible. Advances in grafting techniques have made implants accessible to a much wider range of patients than ever before, and we are committed to exploring every option before ruling anything out.
Giving You a Reason to Smile Again
Dental implants are one of the most transformative treatments we offer at Mt. Hermon Dental Care, and we are proud to help our patients rediscover the confidence that comes with a complete, healthy smile. Contact our Scotts Valley office today to schedule your consultation and find out whether dental implants are right for you.
