Dental Implants Merced, CA - Permanent Tooth Replacement

Did you know that dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth? As of today, dental implants offer patients with missing teeth a permanent solution with multiple oral health benefits. As a comprehensive dental care provider, Dr. Andrew Propes offers both the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants to residents of Merced and surrounding communities.  Dr. Propes has extensive experience with dental implants and provides patients with optimal results utilizing digital imagery to pinpoint the exact placement of the implant. Dr. Propes also uses continuing education to utilize the most cutting edge techniques and ensure patients receive the highest quality of implant treatment.

Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your dentist surgically places in the jawbone. Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements used to counter tooth loss. Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures.

Dr. Andrew Propes is highly skilled in dental implant treatment and understands most patients can feel uneasy when visiting our office for a dental implant placement. So it is our goal to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for your treatment. In order to assist our patients in being more informed about the benefits of obtaining a dental implant, please feel free to read more below.

What Types Of Dental Implant Options Do I Have?

There are a few types of Dental Implant treatment options that our Merced office provides. During your initial consultation with Dr. Propes, we will recommend one of the following dental treatment options below.

• Single Dental Implant
• Multiple Dental Implants
• Full Arch Dental Implants

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is made up of 3 components, the post, the abutment, and the the crown. The post is titanium and serves as the tooth root when surgically placed into the jawbone and the abutment and crown are attached to create a natural-like tooth replacement. Dental implants are a great option for patients that have one or more missing teeth and want a permanent solution as opposed to bridges or traditional dentures.

• The Post is a threaded piece of cylindrical titanium metal that integrates into the bone nicely and mimics the root of your tooth. The thread on the post is very much like a screw and once placed by your doctor, the post will actually fuse to the bone over a period of time. Thus creating a strong bond that is designed to function like a natural tooth root for the rest of your life.
• The Abutment is a metal cap that marries the post and the crown to each other once the post has fused itself to the bone.
• The Crown is the exposed portion of the implant that is designed to look like neighboring teeth. The crown is generally color matched to your other teeth in order to provide a seamless look within your smile.

Why Should I Consider A Dental Implant?

There are many benefits that a dental implant treatment can provide including:

• Once placed, dental implants can last a lifetime
• Dental Implants function like a natural tooth
• A very stable solution that relieves stress on neighboring teeth

What Are The Alternatives To Dental Implants?

There are alternatives to choosing a Dental Implant but these other options, although viable, can be considered inferior and will also have a shorter functioning time table. These alternative options include:

• Tooth Supported Bridge
• Bonded Bridge
• Removable Partial Denture

What Can I Expect During A Dental Implant Treatment?

A Dental Implant Treatment at The Dental Spa at Propes will often require more than one appointment to our practice. 

During your first visit, you will discuss the benefits, risks and alternatives and a treatment plan personalized for you will be put into action.  Your second appointment will involve the placement of the Dental Implant Post (also referred to as the root) into the jawbone. You will then have a follow up appointment where the sutures are removed about 7 days later.

Over the course of the next 3-5 months while you heal, osseointegration will occur which is where the implant is fully integrated into the bone. During your next appointment, a temporary crown will be placed to ready your gums and surrounding teeth for the permanent crown.

Finally, after a digital impression is taken in order to create a permanent crown, it will be placed and you are done!

Follow Up Care and Recovery

Most patients can return to work and their normal daily activities 24-48 hours after their procedure, although each treatment can be different so please be sure to ask our staff if you have any particular activities that may be strenuous or out of the ordinary. Normal recovery periods after a dental implant is placed can range between a few days to a few weeks depending on the type of procedure you have endured. The more implants that have been placed, the longer it will take for you to fully recover. To help with the healing process, we always recommend getting as much rest as possible and eating soft food for a few days. Medication will be prescribed to you, and you should always follow the doctor's instructions post-surgery.

If you have any questions, please contact The Dental Spa at Propes at (209) 722-6203. We look forward to meeting you and offering you the service and dental treatment you deserve!