Dental implants are essentially “artificial tooth roots” that allow us to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental implants are one of the most successful things we do in dentistry, often with better than 90% success for as long as 30 years.

An implant can replace a single missing tooth or two or more implants can replace several missing teeth or even replace all the teeth for people wearing dentures. We have been placing dental implants for almost 30 years at Nice Teeth Dental in San Leandro.

 Here are some commonly asked questions about dental implants:

 What are dental implants made of?

Titanium alloy has shown to be the most predictable and long lasting material for dental implants. It is the same type of material that is often used to replace artificial joints such as hip replacements and has a very long, safe history in both medicine and dentistry.

 How long do dental implants last?

We now have research over 35 years that shows a better than 90% success rate for dental implants. Obviously, each patient is different and we can never guarantee that any dental procedure will be successful (it is actually against the law in California for any dentist to guarantee a result!). But, as mentioned above, dental implants are among the most successful and predictable procedures we do in dentistry. For example, if we replace a single missing tooth with a “fixed bridge” (ie, crowns or onlays on adjacent teeth to hold the non-removable replacement tooth), about 80% last 10 years or more. A single implant with a crown on top to replace a single missing tooth has better than a 93% chance of lasting 10 years or more.

 How much do dental implants cost?

Each person and situation is different and there is usually a savings when several implants are placed at the same time, but the average cost for a single implant is about $1500 to $2000.

 How are implants actually placed?

The safest, most predictable and least invasive method to place a dental implant uses “guided surgery.” This is quickly replacing the older “blind surgery” method and involves using a special x-ray model to very precisely plan the position of the implant, then constructing a custom guide to place the implant in exactly the right place in the mouth. It eliminates the guess work and risks involved with blind surgery. Because of very minimal surgery needed with this technique, sutures are almost never necessary and healing is much faster and more comfortable.

 How can I find out if implants offer a solution for me?

Call our office to schedule a free consultation and we can discuss all your options with you. We will also tell you exactly what it would cost and how long it would take for your particular situation. 510-483-2164