Implant Dentistry

Dental implants are considered the ultimate solution for tooth replacement, especially when a single tooth needs to be replaced. Traditionally, the best replacement for a single missing tooth was a three-tooth bridge, better known as a three-unit bridge. This type of restoration works by linking three false teeth together. The middle tooth of the three is used to bridge the gap. Even though this type of restoration was considered state-of-the-art for many years, it had its limitations. For instance, the fabrication of a three-unit bridge required the teeth on both sides of the gap to be whittled down to allow for the false teeth to be slipped over the top of the teeth. Because the three teeth are linked together, they cannot be cleaned in the same way as normal teeth. In addition, they require special dental cleaning tools in order to maintain a healthy gum tissue.

Today, dental implants are the first choice to replace missing teeth. In the case of a single missing tooth, a dental implant can be placed in the jawbone area of the missing tooth. The implant will serve as a replacement for a tooth root and an individual crown. The total apparatus is referred to as a single-tooth implant crown. Once in place, the implant crown will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They are cleaned and flossed just like your natural teeth, and best of all, they do not require any special tools to clean around them, like bridges. Although dental implants will not decay, they require that you maintain impeccable oral hygiene.

Does an Implant Crown Last Forever?

Even though dental scientists are developing advanced materials to create a more durable crown, the old adage “Nothing lasts forever” also applies to implant crowns. Because each patient is different, implant crowns last a varied amount of time depending on the patient. Crowns that were thought to last only 3 to 5 years can last 10 to 20 years if meticulously cared for. On the other hand, crowns that should last for ten or more years can last only two years in a mouth that is neglected. The bottom line is that no one can tell you how long an implant crown will last, but if you take excellent care of your mouth and see your dentist every six months, you stand a better chance of extending the life of your implant crowns and other dental restorations.

How Does the Cost of an Implant Crown Compare to a Three-Unit Bridge?

The cost of a three-unit bridge can range from $2,800 to $5,000. The cost of a single implant tooth is approximately $3,000. If teeth associated with a bridge fail due to recurrent decay or periodontal disease, ordinarily, you must replace the entire bridge and possibly add a new filling or build-up of the teeth. The cost of any foundations under a new bridge will add to the replacement cost. If and when an implant crown has to be reconstructed, most likely, it would be due to the wearing away of the crown material. The only reconstruction cost would be for that of a new implant crown and would not incorporate any adjacent teeth. The cost over your lifetime would be much less than compared to a three-unit bridge, and is the most natural replacement for a missing tooth.

Dental implants are ideal replacements for teeth. When healthy teeth have to be prepared for crowns or bridges, healthy tooth structure needs to be removed. But if only one tooth is missing, the dental implant can simply replace it without having to sacrifice the adjacent teeth. As conservative dentists here at Camarillo Smiles, we like preserving and keeping natural the teeth next to a space so we love to place an implant in a space and totally avoid messing around with the other healthy teeth in the area.

Dental implants can be also be used to replace many missing teeth. Multiple teeth can be replaced with dental implants and can avoid the need for a removable denture. Removable dentures can be hard to get used to. They may have clasps that can be unsightly and put additional stress on the existing teeth. Full dentures may be difficult to wear and may interfere with eating and speaking. People that wear dentures for a long time may have additional loss of the bone that supports the denture. This bone loss can be accelerated by osteoporosis, and eventually dentures may be very difficult to wear if not impossible. Poor-fitting dentures can interfere with proper nutrition and quality of life.

Generally, one implant is needed to replace each missing tooth. In some situations, several teeth can be anchored to a couple implants to make a bridge. Other times, we can use just four implants and replace a whole arch of teeth. The deciding factor for deciding how many implants are needed to replace missing teeth is the quality of the bone (how hard or soft the bone is), how much bone is available to plant the implants and the overall shape of the bone.  If there is not enough bone available to replace a whole set of teeth, implants may be used as anchors for dentures. When dentures are supported by implants they can be much more stable and the implants help prevent the deterioration of the bone that supports the denture.

The endosseous system of dental implants has been used for many, many years. They provide great longevity and can be expected to last for years and years. The people of Camarillo and all of Ventura County have thoroughly enjoyed their new teeth that we have created because they look and feel so much like natural teeth which adds comfort, confidence and can dramatically improve their smile. The replacement of missing teeth with dental implants is a phenomenal alternative for people of all ages.

What is teeth in a day (also know as “All on Four”)?

You may have probably seen the TV commercials or newspaper ads about teeth in a day. What this refers to is the complete removal of any remaning teeth and replacing them on the same day with a set of teeth that are fastened to 4 or 5 implants that are placed at the time of the teeth removal.

Technically, it is not in one day. There is a little bit of prep work before that day but the cool thing is that you go from having bad, or no teeth to having a whole set in a matter of hours.

Who is teeth in a day for?

Teeth in a day is designed for people that have hopeless teeth. This is an alternative to wearing complete dentures. It is possible to do just the upper or just the lower.

How much does Teeth in a Day (All on Four) cost?

The average cost is $24-28K. Patients tell us that their quality of life has impoved so much that the return on investment for the treatment is well, well worth it. Some of our patients take advantage of our financing programs that cam make it affordable to many.