Dental Implants – San Juan Capistrano, CA

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

For the first stage, you will meet with Dr. Omrani to discuss your candidacy and if you require preliminary treatment before receiving your dental implants. Some patients might have existing or growing oral health issues that will need to be addressed first, such as decay, cavities, or periodontal infection. If necessary, we can perform gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or even tooth extraction to prepare your mouth. Once you’re back to oral health, we can discuss your treatment plan for placing your dental implants.

Dental Implant Surgery

To begin your procedure, you’ll receive local anesthesia so that you can undergo the treatment while your mouth is completely numb. We can even offer you sedation dentistry to increase your comfort and relaxation. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re pain-free, we will make one or more small incisions in your gums so that we can reach your jawbone. We’ll carefully place each dental implant before closing the gum tissue. Dr. Omrani will put a protective dental cap atop your implant(s) to help them stay safe while you recover.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Over the next 3-6 months, osseointegration will occur which causes the bone and implants to fuse. This is the essential process for creating the natural foundation for your future restoration(s). Once healed, you’ll return to our office to receive your metal abutments, which are small connector pieces that will link your restoration(s) to your dental implants. You’ll then be sent home to allow your gums to heal.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

The final step is to receive your customized restoration. After your gums are properly recovered, you’ll come back to us for your brand-new teeth. Crowns, bridges, and dentures are all possible options depending on how many teeth you are missing. Once we’ve fitted your restoration(s) in place, we’ll verify that your bite is correct and that you like your results before sending you on your way to enjoy your fully rebuilt smile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Enjoy your favorite foods – Dental implants in San Juan Capistrano make it easy to eat your favorite foods without worrying about your prosthetics slipping or falling out.
• Achieve a better quality of life – Instead of focusing on what others might think about your smile, you can feel more confident in your ability to speak, eat, and smile.
• Easily maintain your new smile – Cleaning dental implants doesn’t require additional products such as denture cleaner or tiny brushes. Instead, you can use the same oral hygiene instruments you have at home. The only alteration that is recommended is that you use a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging your new teeth.

Health Benefits

• Preservation of remaining teeth – Traditional fixed bridges must connect to healthy abutment teeth in order to remain in place. However, with dental implants, the posts are situated within vacated sockets, preventing any altering or adjustments to your natural, healthy teeth.
• Stimulate the jawbone – Tooth loss is known to cause jawbone deterioration over time. However, with permanent prosthetics, the bone remains dense, keeping your face from sagging, and your teeth firmly in place instead of becoming loose.
• Stabilize adjacent teeth – Anytime a tooth falls out or is extracted, timely replacement is essential. Otherwise, nearby teeth will begin to drift out of alignment. As a result, this causes the potential for orthodontic treatment in the future.

Long-Term Benefits

• High-success rate – When initially placed by a skilled implant dentist in San Juan Capistrano, dental implants have a success rate of 95% or higher. After 10 years, these prosthetics can maintain a success rate between 90-95%, making them one of the most reliable tooth replacements on the market.
• Last for several decades – When properly cared for and maintained, dental implants can last 30+ years or longer, which is vastly different from the 10-15 years for dentures and dental bridges.
• Cost-effective solution – Although they are more expensive initially, dental implants are more cost-effective in the long run. This is true simply because they do not require additional products for maintenance (i.e., denture cleanser or denture adhesives), they do not require frequent replacements or adjustments, and they serve to improve both your oral and overall health.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Our team is happy to help you rebuild your grin, but not at the expense of your general well-being. During your consultation, we’ll gather information about your medical history and list your medications so that we don’t offer any treatments or drugs that might interfere with any preexisting conditions.

Some traits that make for a good dental implant candidate include:

• Good overall health. These restorations are surgically placed into your jawbone so your body must be strong enough to undergo the procedure.
• Strong teeth and gums. Tooth decay and gum disease can interfere with your results or lead to implant failure, so they will need to be remedied before proceeding.
• Sufficient jawbone density. Your jaw begins to erode after losing teeth because there are fewer roots to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down or chew. If it’s too thin, a bone graft may bulk it up enough for dental implants.

Missing One Tooth

Dental implants are ideal for replacing a single missing tooth in qualified patients. First, a titanium rod will be placed into your jawbone. Once your bone tissue fuses with the metal, it’s capped with a dental crown that’s customized to match the size, shape, and shade of your natural teeth for seamless results. Unlike dental bridges or dentures, your restoration is a sturdy standalone structure that doesn’t require that any enamel or remaining teeth be removed.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you have multiple gaps in your grin and are worried you can’t address them all with dental implants, you’re in luck! These prosthetics can be adapted to replace numerous missing teeth throughout your mouth one by one if needed. However, if several went missing in a row, we might suggest an implant bridge. Instead of anchoring to abutment teeth on either side of the space in your smile, we’ll attach it to two strategically placed titanium rods for support.  

Missing All Teeth

For those who are missing all their teeth but are concerned that dentures aren’t sturdy enough, you might do better with an implant denture. This involves surgically placing 4 to 6 implants as needed to support a full set of dentures that completely refurbishes your grin all at one time. Unlike traditional dentures, these are not removable. They’ll be ‘permanently’ attached to your implants and can only be taken out by Dr. Omrani or another qualified professional.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants right away. If you need a preliminary treatment like gum disease therapy or a bone graft, the cost of these services will naturally add to the final price of your dental implants. Additionally, the cost of the dental implant surgery itself will incur a cost of its own, which will depend on factors like where in the mouth your implants are being placed and what type of sedation dentistry you choose. Fortunately, since we provide start-to-finish dental implant treatment, you won’t need to worry about calculating costs for an unfamiliar outside specialist.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

During your consultation, these are the main factors we’ll consider about your dental implants when creating your estimate:

• Number of dental implants: Naturally, the more implants you need, the higher the cost will be. If you’re missing multiple teeth, investing in a dental bridge or denture will likely be more cost-effective than replacing each tooth individually.
• Type of restoration: Dental implants can support crowns, bridges, and dentures, all of which are custom-made and come at their own price points.
• Size or material: Depending on your unique situation, dental implants can come in various sizes (like mini dental implants) or materials (like zirconia). These factors will influence the cost of your dental implant treatment.
• Brand of dental implant: Just like cars or cell phones, there are numerous companies that manufacture dental implants, some of which are catered specifically towards patients looking for specific features in their new smile. We only partner with trusted, well-known brands for optimal results. To learn more about where your dental implant is coming from, don’t hesitate to ask us during your appointment!

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Initially, dental implants cost more than traditional forms of tooth replacement, like dentures and dental bridges. Over time however, studies show that dental implants are by far the more cost-effective option! Dentures and dental bridges need to be replaced every several years, and they don’t do very much to prevent future tooth loss or oral health issues. On the other hand, dental implants do and have the potential to last a lifetime, which can easily save you thousands of dollars in just a few years.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Currently, most dental insurance companies do not cover dental implants. While this is gradually changing, it’s best to check the details of your plan to see what your coverage includes. Many policies will offer some coverage for parts of the dental implant treatment, such as preliminary procedures or the restoration. One of our knowledgeable front desk staff will be more than happy to ensure your benefits are being maximized.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Dental insurance isn’t the only way to help make your new smile affordable thanks to options like:

• Flexible Financing Through CareCredit or Lending Club: These payment plans allow patients to break up the cost of their dental implants into smaller installments that fit into their monthly budgets.
• Our In-House Membership Plan: For our uninsured patients, you can enroll in our own in-house membership plan for a low monthly fee (or a one-time lifetime activation fee) that will save you money on the treatments you receive at our practice.
• Limited Time Special Offers: We provide seasonal special offers for our patients, including FREE second opinions and single dental implants as low as $199/month!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implants cannot get cavities themselves, but you should still practice excellent oral hygiene despite that. In addition to keeping your surrounding teeth in good shape, sticking to a great oral hygiene routine can prevent other dental problems, like gum disease, that can cause your implants to fail. Remember to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day.

Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the many benefits of getting dental implants is the fact that you won’t have any eating restrictions. You can easily enjoy nutritious meals without struggling to chew. Just remember that enjoying too many foods that are hard, sticky, or sugary can be problematic for your oral health, so it still pays to be wary.

Break Bad Habits

Refrain from smoking or using tobacco products immediately after your dental implant placement procedure. This can slow down healing and increase your risk of developing an infection. Don’t use your teeth as tools either. You could end up accidentally damaging your dental implants or surrounding teeth. Instead, try to find some scissors, pliers, a bottle opener, or another tool to help you safely complete your task.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Your dental implants may be strong, but they aren’t indestructible. You should always wear a mouthguard to protect your dental implants and natural teeth when participating in sports. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a nightguard to protect your implants from additional wear and tear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

You should always attend regular cleanings and checkups twice a year. This way, we can monitor your dental implants and spot any issues as early as possible. By catching potential problems now, you can prevent them from becoming more serious and leading to greater consequences, like a dental implant failure.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

The main priority during the healing process is to leave the blood clot at the surgical site untouched. This way, the healing can occur smoothly. Here are a few rules that you will need to follow after your procedure:

• Don’t spit. Instead, use a tissue or swallow your saliva.
• Don’t use a straw when drinking liquids.
• Don’t smoke right away after your procedure.
• Keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgical site.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

You will likely experience some mild side effects for the first few days after your procedure. Here are the most common ones:

• Bleeding: Minor bleeding is normal for a few days after your surgery. This will subside with gauze and light pressure.
• Swelling: For the first 72 hours after your procedure, inflammation is likely. Use a cold compress to reduce this.
• Discomfort: Soreness is normal after the procedure. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and prescribed medicines.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

For the first few days following your procedure, it’s a good idea to stick to softer foods so you don’t aggravate the surgical site. Here are some suggestions to enjoy during this initial recovery period:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Soup
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

You can brush your teeth as normal the day after your surgery. However, you should be especially careful to avoid the surgical sites. To keep this area clean, gently rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times a day. When you use mouthwash, choose one that doesn’t have high levels of alcohol. This can aggravate the area around your implant.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Now that your replacement teeth have been attached, the challenging part is done! Once your new crown, bridge, or denture has been attached to your implant(s), you might experience some minor sensitivity, but this should be easy to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. There shouldn’t be any swelling, bleeding, or extensive recovery. You will be ready to show off your complete smile!

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

On average, dental implants can last well over three decades. However, the exact lifespan can vary significantly based on a patient’s health and lifestyle. If you want your newly rebuilt smile to last as long as possible, you must take proper care of it. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash are a few excellent ways to ensure the long-term success of your implants. Don’t forget to attend routine checkups and avoid chewing hard, sticky foods. It’s worth noting that implants are designed to last much longer than traditional bridges or dentures.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Before the procedure begins, Dr. Omrani will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re completely comfortable. You’ll also most likely be sedated, which will lower your body’s ability to register pain. Although the surgery itself shouldn’t hurt, your mouth will feel sore and sensitive for the next few days. The good news is you can easily manage your discomfort by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication, using cold compresses, and diligently following your aftercare instructions. If your symptoms worsen instead of improving, give our office a call for assistance.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Even though it’s uncommon, dental implant failure usually occurs for one of two reasons:

• Peri-Implantitis – A form of gum disease that develops from poor oral hygiene, damaging the bone and gums supporting the implant.
• Failed Osseointegration – This happens when the implant fails to successfully integrate with the jawbone. It’s more common in patients who had low jawbone density to begin with.

A few other causes of dental implant failure include chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications. During your consultation, Dr. Omrani will explain how you can minimize your risk of implant failure.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

It’s certainly possible for smokers to get dental implants, but they have a higher rate of implant failure. Smoking and chewing tobacco cause dry mouth, which delays healing and interferes with the implants’ ability to fuse with the jawbone. For that reason, it’s strongly recommended that smokers quit at least two weeks before the procedure and wait to resume the habit for at least two to three months afterward. Of course, this is the perfect opportunity to kick the habit to the curb for good.