Dental Implants – Hayward, CA
Giving Your Smile the Longer Lifespan It Deserves
You have the option of choosing a tooth replacement solution that looks good, feels comfortable, and is financially cheaper, but if you want something that will stand the test of time and help you recapture the confidence you once lost, you cannot go wrong in choosing dental implants. Their superiority to dental bridges is evident in their placement. Let us help you smile longer by calling our SoHay Dental team to schedule a consultation for dental implants in Hayward.
Why Choose SoHay Dental for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Local Dental Implant Specialists
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- Dentist Who Cares About Patients’ Needs & Results
What Are Dental Implants?
As an artificial tooth that consists of three parts - the post, the abutment, and the crown - a dental implant mimics what a natural tooth looks like. Placed beneath the gumline and into the jawbone, it serves as a means of stimulation to keep your face from collapsing and from experiencing bone atrophy. Dental implants are highly durable, capable of replacing one or multiple teeth, and can support a customized implant crown or bridge.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
To achieve the unique, long-lasting benefits of dental implants, they require a multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment process will look a little bit different, but here are the four main steps that every patient can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first part of the dental implant process is attending a dental implant consultation. During this time, a complete examination of your mouth will occur as well as discussions regarding your oral and overall health. We’ll determine if you are healthy enough to undergo minor oral surgery and if your mouth can support whichever type of restoration you need. Some patients need preliminary procedures, like bone grafting and/or gum disease treatment, before they are able to get dental implants. If this applies to you, we will help you schedule this. Once your smile is in good shape, we can move on to the rest of the dental implant process.
Dental Implant Surgery
When ready for oral surgery, we’ll refer you to a local dental implant specialist whom we work closely with to ensure that the placement of your implant posts occurs safely and leaves you with beautiful results. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, an incision is made into the gum tissue. Then, the dental implants are placed at very precise angles in the jawbone. The gums are closed, and protective caps are placed over the implants so the healing can commence.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
You’ll need to spend 4-6 months allowing your mouth to fully heal. A fusion process between the dental implant and the jawbone. This is called “osseointegration” and is the reason why dental implants are so stable and long-lasting. Once healed, you’ll have your metal abutments put into place so that your restorations remain affixed to your implant posts.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration
Your restoration will be designed based on impressions taken of your smile. It is crafted in the dental laboratory and sent to our practice. Dr. Diep will secure it in place so that you may begin using it right away. If everything looks and feels as it should, you will be free to leave the office showing off your beautiful, complete smile!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Are you considering dental implants for yourself? Then take the next step: schedule a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Hayward, Dr. Diep, so he can learn all about your dental needs, oral health, and smile goals. If you aren’t quite ready to schedule an appointment yet, that’s okay – you can also read on to learn more about what makes someone a good candidate for dental implants.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
There are a few things we look for in a good dental implant candidate, starting with a strong jawbone. Healthy gums and a willingness to break bad habits, like smoking, are also essential. Fortunately, even if you aren’t a candidate right away because of bone loss or an infection in your gums, we can usually provide the care you need upfront, ensuring a complete, healthy, and beautiful smile isn’t out of reach for long. Ultimately, if you are struggling with tooth loss and are interested in dental implants, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us so we can learn about your unique dental needs and smile goals.
Missing One Tooth
If you are missing one tooth – whether from a sports-related accident or a significant cavity – we have good news: dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for! If we determine that it’s the best tooth-replacement option (and you agree), we will insert the implant into your jawbone and allow it to fuse together (a process known as “osseointegration”). Then, we will secure a dental crown to the top, effectively restoring the visible portion of your tooth as well.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you are missing multiple teeth in a row (or several teeth throughout your mouth), there are several ways we can restore the look of your smile and the strength of your bite, including with dental implants. The first option is using an implant bridge to replace several teeth consecutively. The second is replacing each individual tooth with a single implant. The third is anchoring a partial denture with implants to replace several teeth in an arch.
Missing All Teeth
If you are missing every tooth in an arch or all of your teeth – you guessed it – dental implants are an option. In this case, we will need to insert a few dental implants strategically throughout your jaw. Then, we can anchor a denture in place, restoring your complete smile and the strength of your bite in the process. One of the best parts of this tooth-replacement solution is that it can last for several decades with proper care, and it’s incredibly stable, ensuring your restoration doesn’t slip out of position when you speak, laugh, or chew.
Benefits of Dental Implants
With dental implants, the benefits of these prosthetics extend far beyond the immediate results of a complete and beautiful-looking smile. They also deliver advantages that will impact your day-to-day life, your oral and overall health, and your future. Providing long-term results that can last 30 years or more, they’re proven to be more cost-effective than dental bridges because of the decreased chance that they’ll ever need to be replaced. Here are some of the biggest advantages you can expect with this treatment.
Day-to-Day Benefits
- Stronger Bite: With dental implants, you can regain 80% or more of your natural biting power. Not only will this help make your mouth stronger while chewing, but you can also expand your dietary choices to include more solid foods, such as lean meats, raw veggies, and juicy steaks.
- Improved Speech: Missing even one of your teeth can negatively impact your ability to speak clearly. By replacing your lost ones with dental implants, you’ll be able to improve your speech without having to worry about your restorations moving out of place.
- Greater Confidence: Once you have a complete bite again due to dental implants, you can feel free to smile as often as you want with increased confidence in your appearance. This can lift your mood significantly and, in turn, improve your quality of life.
- Easier Cleaning: Instead of needing special tools or techniques to clean your restoration(s) and smile, you’ll simply need to clean your dental implants like you would your normal pearly whites.
Health Benefits
- Better Nutrition: Now that you’ve regained the majority of your chewing ability, you can feel free to enjoy most of your favorite foods. Additionally, you’ll be able to choose more nutritional meals, which can promote stronger and healthier gums and jawbone tissue.
- Jawbone Preservation: While other traditional prosthetics can help you regain your bite, they won’t help preserve your jaw structure like dental implants. Since the metal posts will be embedded into your jawbone, they can help stimulate circulation which can then promote bone growth and maintain a youthful facial shape.
Long-Term Benefits
- Long-Lasting Results: Traditional dental bridges and dentures typically last a decade or so while dental implants can go on for 30+ years to a lifetime with proper care.
- Cost-Effective Treatment: Since dental implants won’t require replacements as often as other restorations or prosthetics, you’ll be able to save more over the years.