Dental Implants in Santa Cruz

For anyone missing one or more teeth, dental implants are a long-lasting, comfortable, and nearly indistinguishable replacement option. In today’s appearance-focused world, dental implants are the ideal solution for a healthy, functional smile that can look beautiful for a lifetime.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent implants placed in the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth. Once placed in the jawbone, these implants fuse with the surrounding bone and create a stable foundation to support restorations such as dental crowns or fixed restorations that resemble dentures. While most people think of “dental implants” as the entire restoration, there are three sections:

• The Implant: The implant is a metal screw placed in the jaw during implant surgery. It’s usually made of titanium or zirconia. Once it is in place, it fuses with the jawbone through osteointegration.
• The Abutment: The abutment is a slender pin that fits in the center of the implant and the bottom of the restoration, permanently fastening the two together.
• The Restoration: A single dental implant can support a crown, while two or more implants may support a fixed bridge or a full arch of replacement teeth.

 

Types of Dental Implants We Offer

• All-on-4 Implants – For full mouth or full arch restoration
• Full Mouth Permanent or Removeable Implants – Permanent screw-retained & snap-on denture implants
• Single Tooth Implants – Placement and crown restoration for one or a few missing teeth

Benefits of Dental Implants

There are undeniable benefits to getting dental implants rather than other forms of dental restorations, including:

• Dental implants can last for decades, and often last a lifetime with good oral hygiene.
• Implants prevent restorations from shifting or slipping, preventing potential embarrassment.
• Implants prevent deterioration of the jawbone, protecting facial contours.
• You care for dental implants like your natural teeth by brushing and flossing.
• You can eat even crunchy, hard, and sticky foods with implant restorations.
• Implants and their restorations do not get cavities.
• Dental implants prevent any remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment.
• Dental implants look and function like your natural teeth.
• The natural appearance and lifelike quality of dental implants mean that only your dentist will know they are not your actual teeth.
• You do not have to remove your implants at night or for maintenance, making them convenient.

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Implants Procedure

Evaluation & Treatment Planning

Dr. Gomez will assess the patient’s smile goals, bite, and overall dental health. She creates a restorative plan for how the final crown, bridge, or denture should look and function.

Depending on the complexity of the procedure and how many implants are needed, Dr. Gomez or an oral surgeon working in collaboration with her will review the patient’s medical history, bone quality, and anatomy using X-rays or CBCT scans to prepare for surgery.

Implant Surgery

Under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation), Dr. Gomez or an oral surgeon opens the gum tissue and places the implant screw into the bone, closing the gum or placing a temporary cap. Over the next several months, the implant will fuse with the surrounding jawbone (osseointegration).

Healing & Monitoring

We monitor healing and check for signs of infection or implant failure. Dr. Gomez tracks the recovery timeline so that she can begin restorative work once implant integration is finished.

Final Restoration

Once the area is healed, the abutment is attached to the implant, where it will protrude through the gumline to hold and support the final restoration. We place and adjust the crown, bridge, or denture for a comfortable bite and natural look.

Dental Implant Healing Timeline

Implant surgery requires a lengthy commitment of time. Still, our patients overwhelmingly feel it is worth it to have a fully functional, attractive smile (often after years of coping with diseases or missing teeth). Understanding the timeline following the work performed by your implant dentist will help you avoid surprises and recover confidently.

Days 1–3: Initial Recovery

The surgical site will be swollen and tender. Some bleeding and discomfort are normal, but ice packs and pain relievers will help. You will be on a soft diet and take antibiotics to prevent infection.

Weeks 1–2: Soft Tissue Healing

The gums continue to heal, and swelling will fade. Eating will get easier, and you can begin adding firmer foods. If there are stitches, Dr. Gomez or your oral surgeon will remove them. Pain is gone, and you can start to brush around the site, although you will still need to be gentle.

Weeks 3–6: Early Bone Integration

During these weeks, bone cells begin bonding to the surface of the dental implant. It is best to continue avoiding extremely hard or sticky foods. Focus on gentle oral hygiene to prevent infection.

Months 2–4: Mid-Stage Integration

Osseointegration continues, and the implant or implants are stable in the jawbone. Dr. Gomez may want to confirm bone growth through X-rays or digital imaging.

Months 4–9: Final Integration

Complete fusion of the implant with the surrounding bone. The timeline for this varies depending on the patient’s overall health, whether they are smokers, and other factors. Once integration is complete, the restoration can be placed.

Final Restoration

Dr. Gomez will attach the final restoration (a crown, bridge, or full arch of replacement teeth resembling a lightweight denture) to the implant or implants. When you leave our office, you will have a strong, beautiful set of teeth to enjoy.

For more information or to set up a consultation with Dr. Gomez to discuss dental implant surgery, please get in touch with our office at Dr. Denisse Gomez, DMD Phone Number (831) 462-5600.