Dental Implants in Monterey Are the Best Way to Replace Teeth: Compare Your Options

Dental implants in Monterey are the best way to replace teeth that have been lost because they allow you to have a solution that looks, feels, and acts exactly the same as your natural teeth. There was a time, not so long ago, when people who lost their teeth had very limited options for replacing them. Most people would choose to replace the teeth with dentures. While dentures as a solution were very good for the time period, dental implants in Monterey have long since surpassed them by way of being more convenient and a better option for people to replace their lost teeth.

Comparing Solutions 

When you stop to examine dental implants in Monterey vs. dentures you will immediately realize the advantages that dental implants in Monterey provide you with. The first and most obvious advantage is that, unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent solution that cannot be removed and do not need to be removed in order to be cleaned.  Dentures have to be removed on a regular basis for cleaning which means that you are taking your teeth out of your mouth, cleaning them, putting them in a solution, and then replacing them hoping that the adhesive you use will hold them in place. You have none of these challenges with dental implants.

Understanding the Solution

There is a common misconception that the tooth you see is actually the dental implant. Dental implants in Monterey are actually the tiny post which is underneath the tooth that you see on top of the gum. The visible tooth is actually called a dental crown and is a perfect replica of the tooth we are replacing. Dental crowns can be placed even if you do not have a dental implant. The dental implant itself is a tiny titanium screw which is directly placed into the jaw bone. This tiny screw acts in lieu of your tooth root and provides the jaw bone with the stimulus necessary for growth and development. In addition, because the dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone it provides an extraordinarily safe and secure way for your dental crown to be attached. What this means in layman's terms is that when you get dental implants, you are getting a product that is an identical man-made replica of your naturally occurring teeth, complete with the root structure.
As we mentioned earlier, dental implants are a permanent solution. Once the tooth has been placed, it is not going to need to be taken out, replaced, or specially cleaned for the duration of its life cycle. From the perspective of oral hygiene, this also gives you a leg up over dentures. With dental implants, all you need to do is brush your teeth, and the dental implants will be clean just like your natural teeth will. So for people who want a convenient, secure, long-lasting solution to tooth loss, dental implants are definitely the way to go. If you have thought about getting dental implants, have questions about them, or want to find out if you will be a great candidate for dental implants in Monterey you should call us to schedule a consultation today.

Cosmetic Dentist  >  Implant Dentistry

High-Tech and Beauty Merge in Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered to be the most scientifically modern and essentially natural way of replacing teeth that have been lost. Many people of all ages suffer from tooth loss. In younger folks, this lost tooth typically happens because of an accident, during sports, or some other activity. For older folks, tooth loss is a more gradual process as age and often, disease take their toll on the mouth, eventually costing the person their teeth. The challenge is that nobody should have to live with lost teeth, and with dental implants, nobody will. Losing your teeth may sound more innocuous than it actually is. When you lose your teeth, the very first thing you lose with them is your sense of self. Lost teeth make people more self-conscious and unwilling to smile as much. Then you discover how hard it is to eat all but the softest of foods without teeth. Sooner or later, your gums will harden and you can gum all kinds of food, but it is not quite the same. Finally, language enunciation and pronunciation depends on teeth. These are drastically affected by tooth loss as well. Dental implants are the solution to this kind of tooth loss; here is more information about them.

When you get a dental implant placed, you are getting a two-part system. The first part is what you see on top of the tooth. This is also called a dental crown. Dental crowns are often placed without a dental implant to replace damaged or broken enamel on natural teeth. This is because dental crowns look and feel like a natural tooth, so they blend in with your other teeth. Made of porcelain, they are extremely long-lasting, so you do not have to keep getting replacements. The dental crown is placed on the dental implant and attached to it using an abutment. The dental implants themselves are tiny cone-shaped objects screwed directly into your jawbone for maximum stability. The flat surface is where the abutment is used to attach the dental crown. With dental implants, once they are placed, you no longer have to worry about them falling out, having to clean them some special way, or using attachment devices to replace them. Just like your natural teeth, they are there to stay.

The most important thing about dental implants, other than their permanence, is the fact that you do not have to worry about taking them out or other hassles associated with dentures and bridges. Cleaning them is a breeze, too. All you have to do is clean your teeth and mouth the same way you would clean your natural teeth. Brushing twice per day, rinsing after meals, using mouthwash, and flossing are all ways to make sure the dental crown on the top of your dental implants looks great and that the gums are also kept healthy. Remember, the porcelain crown and the titanium dental implants cannot sustain diseases or decay, but the mouth around them can.

Implant Dentist  >  Oral Surgery

We Specialize in Placing Dental Implants

As a dental implants specialist, we are extremely proud to be part of a technological advancement that is changing the conversation in regard to tooth loss.

With dental implants we can give you new teeth that:

#1 Look Natural

#2 Act Like Your Old Teeth

#3 Remain Securely in Place

For too long tooth loss led to wires, dental cement, and gooey adhesives, all of which were used to hold their new fake teeth in place. With the introduction of dental implants, we can give you the option to replace the lost tooth with one that looks, feels, and functions exactly like the original. Even more impressively, dental implants replace the lost root of the tooth in addition to the visible surface, known as the crown. For many people, this revolutionary new way of replacing teeth has led to questions. Our patients want to know how long dental implants typically last, the procedures involved in placing a dental implant, and whether or not they are eligible to take advantage of implants.

Schedule a Consultation

All of this and more are discussed during our initial consultations. For anyone considering dental implants, you should know that almost anyone can get them. There are a few restrictions that you should be aware of since dental implantation requires oral surgery and is performed by an oral surgeon or periodontist. In order to get dental implants, you will need to be healthy enough to get oral surgery. There are also a few conditions and habits that preclude you from getting dental implants, something you will discuss at length with your dental implant specialist. It is imperative that you tell your dentist all of your medical conditions, any medications you may be taking (including herbal or other non-traditional medication), and habits that you may have, like smoking or consuming alcohol.

Our Success Rates

Success for a dental implant specialist is measured in the number of decades you successfully use your dental implant, not years. Typically, dental implants have a very high success rate, with some national statistics placing the success rate around 98%. Even with more conservative estimates of 92% - 94%, you have a very good chance that the prosthetics placed by your dental implant specialist will last 20 or more years. Achieving this is not an accident -  we carefully prepare you for the process, taking every precaution to ensure that there are no hindrances that may cause the implant to fail. While this is often time-consuming, it is necessary for success. Your journey toward having implants will begin with an extremely comprehensive examination to determine the overall health of your mouth. We will use dental imaging like X-rays and CT scans to make sure that your jawbone has enough density to withstand and support the implant.

For some patients, we can proceed directly to the implant stage directly after the exam, which is known as an immediate implant placement. If we discover that your jawbone does not have the density it requires, we may need to perform an alveolar bone graft, which targets the upper portion of the jawbone where the teeth are usually found. This onlay bone graft can create a block of jawbone that is dense enough to successfully place the implant, and it only requires around six months of healing before we can proceed to the next stage.

How Dental Implants Can Change Your Life

If you have lost some of your teeth, you may not realize what a big difference dental implants can make. For many people, dental implants are life changing. This compilation of three ways dental implants can change your life is just the beginning of the many benefits they can provide.

Dental Implants Help You Stay Young Looking

Dental implants not only improve the necessary function of your teeth, but they can also drastically improve your appearance, making you look years younger. Implants make your smile fuller, filling in drooping areas of your cheeks, jawline, and lips. Once you receive dental implants, you will immediately notice that your facial skin is firmer, and your wrinkles are less noticeable. No matter what your age is, when you lose teeth it tends to make you look a decade older or more because you do not have a strong structure to keep your skin taut, and you develop a sunken appearance in your face. If you go without teeth too long, you may even lose bone structure since there are not teeth in place to keep your jawbone and other teeth from shifting.

Dental Implants Improve Your Chances of Succeeding in Your Career

Your smile is the first thing the majority of people will notice about you and one of the most vivid memories they will hold of your face. If you have less than impressive teeth, it may give off a false impression of your hygiene and happiness. Make a great first impression by receiving quality dental implants that look and feel real while also greatly improving your smile.

People who smile more often give off the impression of being more confident and content in life. When you are trying to succeed in life, it is important to look and feel confident so you can surpass your expectations and other's expectations of you. Allow us to give you more confidence and success by providing you with dental implants that perfectly fill in your already beautiful smile.

Dental Implants Make it Easier to Eat a Healthy Diet

When you are missing teeth, it is often easier to opt for foods that are not challenging to chew, but these foods also tend to have less nutritional value. Not getting proper nutrients can lead to the loss of more teeth, bone loss, weight loss, blood sugar problems, and long-term health risks. When you are ready to enjoy a proper meal again, complete with all the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, dental implants can provide you with this power. Dental implants can also help you eat foods that you miss that you may not have been able to eat in years. Eating the foods you love makes life more enjoyable and provides you with a long life.

The procedure to receive dental implants typically only takes two to three visits, and within a few months, you will have strong, working teeth again. The artificial tooth roots that hold your replacement teeth in place are made of a titanium metal that fuses with your jawbone to create the strongest possible substitute for missing teeth. Dental implants can act on their own as replacement teeth, or they can be used to support dentures or dental bridges as needed.  The options and benefits of dental implants are numerous and can change your life for the better in a few simple visits to our office.

Periodontist  >  Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Implants Have Revolutionized The Process of Replacing Teeth

Dental implants have done a great deal towards changing how people view tooth loss. For too many years losing a tooth meant that you would have to deal with wires, dental cement, and gooey adhesives to hold your false teeth in place. Today dental implants have created a system that not only gives you a new fake tooth, which is known in dentistry as the crown, but also replaces the root of the tooth that has been lost as well. This makes dental implants the most sophisticated, and the most stable, way to replace your teeth when they have been lost to diseases, age, or accident. Since this is a new technology for many people, there is often a number of questions that patients have regarding dental implants. Mostly this springs from wanting to understand how the technology works, what is the process for getting dental implants placed, and if you as a patient are eligible for receiving dental implants. For the last question, it is a little bit more involved than a simple yes or no answer. Simply put virtually anyone can get a dental implant if they are able to meet certain physical requirements.

It is important to remember that dental implants are placed by an oral surgeon or a periodontist because it is a surgical procedure to place the dental implant directly into the jawbone. In addition, there are a few conditions that may preclude you from getting dental implants. Some of these include people who have untreated periodontal diseases, patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and people who have a heavy addiction to cigarettes or alcohol.

From a success perspective, dental implants are among the most highly rated devices available for tooth loss. While conservative estimates place the success rate of dental implants between 92% and 94%, there are other studies that show a national trend of 98% success ratios. For us, we know that percentages are good but also like to look at success from the perspective of how many decades our patients are able to use their dental implants without any problems. To achieve these high set goals we are very diligent about the process and take a painstakingly careful approach to the preparation. As such your journey to get dental implant will begin with a two-step consultation.

First we will talk about dental implants, your goals, and what is involved, and then you will have an extremely comprehensive oral examination. The oral examination tells us how healthy your mouth is while dental imaging technology is used to determine the health and density of your jawbone. Using x-rays and a CT scan we can tell if your jawbone has the required density to support and provide stability to a dental implant. In many cases, patients have experienced a loss in jawbone mass due to resorption, which we can correct using an alveolar bone graft. Using an onlay bone graft, we can create a dense block of bone that can sustain a dental implant. Healing takes around 6 months, following which we will be able to place the implant successfully.

Oral Surgery  >  Cosmetic Dentist

The Science Behind the Type of Dental Implants We Provide

For thousands of years, the concept of dental implants followed, pretty much the same pattern. Then, with the advent of modern medicine, a scientific miracle took place and implants became some of the most viable means of replacing lost teeth. Today we focus on things like seamless integration, osseointegration, and bio-integration as ways to ensure that your body accepts the implant and treats it as part of itself. Titanium played a significant role in the advanced development of the dental implant. Being that Titanium is the only metal which has the ability to meld with human tissue, known as osseointegration, it has become the cornerstone upon which all implants are based. To help this process along and to ensure that the body heals quickly after an implant surgery, some implants are actually coated with hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite occurs naturally in the bones and tricks the body into believing that the implant is truly part of the bone for maximum stability and security.

For dental implants to be successful, integration is an essential component. It is one that we have paid a great deal of attention to and, over the years, have developed a number of ways to ensure that the body integrates the implant into itself. We use a variety of surfaces that help facilitate integration. Some of the surfaces that are available include grit-blasted implants, acid-etched implants, plasma-sprayed implants, and hydroxyapatite-coated implants. There are also a number of different styles of dental implants from which we can choose in order to best match your needs. However, the choice is a little misleading since your body will be making the choice for you. The type of implant that is used depends very heavily on the amount and strength of the bone mass you have under the teeth. Sometimes it becomes necessary to use a different type of dental implant in order to protect the bone, and also give the new teeth strength and stability.

We use dental implants known as Ramus Frame implants when a patient does not have enough bone mass, or the bone isn’t strong enough to withstand a traditional implant. The Ramus Frame implant is anchored a short distance away from the actual site of the tooth or teeth. It is installed in a place where the bone has enough density to withstand an implant, and then a thin metal bar is left visible for us to place the bridge or dentures. We traditionally will anchor the implant near the back corner of the mouth near the wisdom teeth or in the center of the chin.

The more traditional type of dental implant is known as a root-form implant or an endosseous implant. This implant is typically place directly under the site where the fake tooth is going to be placed and drilled into the bone itself. These implants are cone shaped, often in the form of a small titanium screw or nail so that they can be easily anchored. One the implant has been placed and has had a chance to heal, the bone will be responsible for the stability of the device.  During your consultation, we will let you know which solution we feel will work best for you.

Football Season is Here and More Athletes are Depending on Dental Implants

Sports season is in its full glory and dental implants are being used by athletes across the world to replace missing teeth.  As the kids head back to school and sports and football games dominate the television, it is important to remember that teeth can easily become the first victim in the game.  The American Dental Association reported that between 13 and 39 percent of tooth loss happens as the result of a sporting injury and that $500 million is spent per year on replacing those teeth. 

We are an expert in replacing missing teeth and do so in a way that appears completely natural.  We know how to position teeth just right and how to create new ones that blend in so well, you can’t tell which one is real and which one is not. This is good news for everyone that will lose a tooth while playing sports this Fall.

When a tooth falls out there are several options for replacing it.  Dentures have been a solution for hundreds of years but are not convenient for active people.  Athletes and adults with busy lives don’t want to worry about their teeth becoming loose or falling out and realistically they don’t have time to think about their teeth at all.  With dentures, that is never a possibility but it is with dental implants.

During the procedure, we implant a metal post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  Over the course of several months, the bone and metal will fuse together and create a new root system that is as secure as a natural one.  In fact, since metal cannot become infected, it may be more secure than natural roots.  Once this phase of the process is complete, we secure a new tooth to the metal post, and the results are amazing.  The new tooth will look like a natural one, and no one will be able to tell the difference.

One famous football player that used dental implants to replace missing teeth is “The Fridge.”  As a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, this 380 pound player started to feel pain in his teeth.  Overtime the problems became worse, and his four front teeth fell out.  This caused embarrassment in addition to the pain.  In order to address the issue, he had implants, and the missing teeth were restored. This transformed his smile and his appearance.  Whether you are an athlete or not, implants can do the same for you.

Warning to basketball players –

It is commonly thought that football is the most dangerous sports.  This is true in some categories, for example, brain injuries.  It is incorrect when it comes to dental injuries. The University of California reviewed the accident reports from their athletic department over the course of nine years and found that basketball players were the most likely to sustain a dental injury.  In fact, 11 out of every 100 players filed a report for a dental injury.  If your child is playing basketball – purchase a mouth guard.  If you happen to lose a tooth while playing, call us to discuss how implant dentistry can restore your tooth.

Protect Your Dental Implants by Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

If you have lost a tooth, dental implants are an ideal solution for replacing it.  Many patients will have implants installed as a permanent solution for missing teeth or to correct challenges with teeth that orthodontics have been unable to correct.  This is a natural looking and durable solution that allows patients to eat their favorite foods and maintain an active lifestyle.

An implant does not depend on the surrounding teeth to stay in place.  In this way, it is like a natural tooth with its own unique root system.  By implanting a metal post under the gums and securing it to the jawbone, each implant has its own synthetic root system which is just as strong. This is what allows people to enjoy staying active and eating foods that may be considered too hard or sticky for dentures.

Generally, dental implants will stay in excellent condition over time.  They are created out of ceramic which is stain resistant and won’t become infected.  Additionally, since the root system is now a metal post, there is no risk of infection to the roots.  This is a benefit that patients get with an implant over natural teeth.

It is important to note that teeth still need to be maintained in good health.  While the implant itself cannot become infected, the teeth around it can.  Bacteria can still become trapped in between the implant and the surrounding natural teeth.  Brushing teeth twice a day, and flossing daily are important for ensuring that every tooth remains healthy.  Gums can also become infected and keeping bacteria off of them is the best way to prevent this.

Unhealthy teeth and gums pose a risk to dental implants.  If a cavity or small infection is allowed to spread, it can grow into a dental abscess which can reach into the jawbone.  This is extremely painful and may even require surgery in order to stop the infection.  The problem is that if the jawbone becomes infected, the implant will be in jeopardy.  Implants depend on the strength of the jawbone for stability.  In the long-run, this is an excellent solution, but it does mean that a dental abscess could create problems with the implant.

Having teeth cleaned twice a year can help to prevent an infection from developing in the first place or spreading if it does.  The key is to have a cavity or gum disease treated right away.  In the early stages, they are not painful, and the infection can easily be removed.  This is the most convenient option.  Problems arise when the infection is left untreated for a prolonged period of time.  Even if you don’t want to visit the dentist twice a year, doing so can prevent a lot of pain and suffering down the road.  The health of your mouth and your dental implants will be improved by taking this simple preventative step. 

Go Ahead, You’ve Got Time: Implant Dentistry is Easier than You Think

We know you’ve been thinking about getting that implant dentistry to replace that tooth that never grew in. Or, maybe you have suffered from tooth decay, periodontal disease, a sports injury, or various other reasons. You’ve seen the commercials, heard from other patients with similar stories, but you’re still debating on whether to just go ahead and get it done.  Whatever the story behind thinking about implant dentistry, now is the time to finally do something about it. And the even better news, most of the procedures are faster than you think.

A dental implant procedure involves one of two different types of implants- endosteal and subperiosteal implants. Endosteal implants refer to implants that go into the jawbone, and are the most common type of implant. This type is often used as a substitution for patients with dentures or bridges. Subperiosteal implants are implants that are put on the jawbone, and have a metal framework that goes through the gum line to hold the implants in place. While not the most common, it may be the best option for patients with the usual, common dentures, or who have a small framed jaw.

Implant Dentistry is an option for those with generally good oral health, who need a single implant, or who may need implants throughout their entire mouth. Besides the common single tooth implant or replacing all of ones teeth, another procedure that may be needed is sinus augmentation, which helps corrects sinus issues by raising sinus floor and using the new jawbone to place the implants. Ridge modification is another factor for considering implant dentistry, this is used to correct deformities in the upper and lower jaw, and then place in fitted implants.

Whatever you’re thought process behind thinking it’s time to start looking into dental implants, now is the time to visit our cosmetic dentist. Whether it’s a single tooth, or your whole mouth, your search for a dental implant practitioner or periodontitis is over! Implant dentistry is offered right at the Perio & Implant Center of the Monterey Bay. Dr. Pechack and his staff offer a variety of Periodontics and Implant procedures. With its well-known reputation, the staff at Perio & Implant Center will make you feel right at home. They value their customers, and most importantly their comfort, time, and smile. The staff at Perio & Implant Center will make you feel at ease as soon as you walk through the door, and Dr. Pechack will take the time to explain implant dentistry and which option best fits you. And one of their greatest features, because they value your time, implant procedures can be scheduled to fit around your busy lifestyle. You can have the smile you have always wanted faster than you ever thought possible. That’s what Dr. Pechack and the Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay want, too- to give you the smile you have always dreamed of. Stop waiting and call us for a consult today!