Dental Implants in Mission Viejo

Dental implants are often the top choice for tooth replacement among our patients. Their long-term durability and function make them ideal for rebuilding a smile for years to come. Still, we closely work with patients to ensure they are suitable candidates. Even if dental implants are not your ideal solution, we provide several other tooth replacement options.

Good candidates will typically:

• Be missing a single tooth or only a couple of teeth
• Have good overall oral health
• Have sufficient bone density to support the implant
• Be ready for a more gradual process
• Want a long-term investment in their smile

We use local anesthetic for both the in-office parts of getting dental implants. So while you are here, you should have a pain-free experience. After each step, you may have some mild soreness or discomfort. However, this typically stays mild enough to manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your gums heal very quickly, and any discomfort should resolve in a few days.

Getting dental implants does take several months. While this may seem like a lot, we remind patients that the longevity of results makes it a worthy investment of time. Patients can expect about 3 to 4 visits spread over 6 to 9 months. Factors that can affect this timeline include any preparatory treatments. Usually, this can involve tooth extraction or bone grafting. We give each patient an individualized estimate based on their oral health and desired goals.

Many patients find that their dental implants last 25 years to a lifetime. We exclusively use high-grade titanium posts for every implant, ensuring incredible durability. The crown (tooth part) can also last for years. Depending on the material chosen, patients can expect upwards of 15 years before needing to replace the crown. Furthermore, replacing the crown is often a quick process that simply involves removing the old one and affixing the new one. Healthy oral habits and at-home hygiene can help both the implant and crown provide maximum-length benefits.

Dental implants come with the fewest dietary restrictions of any tooth replacement option. Generally, you can eat any food you want. We still recommend avoiding biting down too strongly on hard foods, but that applies to your natural teeth in general, too. A well-made and properly placed dental implant can handle most foods without issue.

The initial period after getting an implant may feel a little strange, especially if you have had a gap for a long time. However, you should quickly adjust to having the new tooth. Eventually, they should feel like a normal part of your smile.

Dental implants tend to cost between $3,000 and $5,000 per tooth in Mission Viejo. This cost will vary between patients, depending on a range of treatment factors. We provide each patient with a personalized quote that takes into account the complexity of their individual procedure.

Some dental insurances cover implants, but it is not typically a standard benefit. Often, coverage factors in if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. We gladly work with patients to understand the specifics of their dental plan coverage and how they can approach payment for dental implants. We also offer membership and financing options to access flexible payment options.

Tooth loss is the main condition. But if you have a tooth beyond repair, extracting it and replacing it may be the best solution for your oral health.

• Tooth removal (if it cannot be repaired)
• Jaw bone preparation (e.g., bone grafting)
• Implant placement
• Healing and implant fusing to the jawbone
• Abutment placement
• Tooth (crown) placement

Older patients or patients with longer periods without a tooth may experience bone deterioration. We check this during your consultation and provide appropriate recommendations.

You can choose from materials such as porcelain and ceramic. We also color-match the tooth so it blends with your natural tooth color.

You can expect some soreness and pain after both procedures, but this should not last longer than a few days each time. A typical experience is about 4 to 5 days of mild discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter medication. Let your dentist know if the pain continues for more than 1 week or feels particularly severe. Unless they’ve had general anesthesia, most patients can return to their daily activities right away. However, we recommend you avoid hot liquids and hard foods for at least 24 hours. Complete healing after implant placement takes about 3 to 6 months, which includes osseointegration.

Dental implants may wear down over time, but they cannot get cavities. Still, good oral hygiene is essential to keep them in good shape.

Dental implants are often a lifelong investment, but some patients may worry about the initial costs. We work with Cherry Financing to help patients get care when they need it via flexible payment plans.

• Dental Implants Crowns: Replace one tooth at a time with a crown (artificial tooth) on each implant post.
• Dental Implants Bridges: Replaces multiple teeth by attaching a bridge to the implant post.
• Dental Implants Dentures: Replace entire sections of teeth with dentures made to affix to implant posts.