Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in Fontana

What Dental Implants Are and How They Work

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that are surgically placed into your jawbone. Once the implant fuses with the bone—a process called osseointegration that typically takes three to six months—a dentist attaches a crown, bridge, or denture on top. This replacement tooth looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.

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The implant itself is a small screw, usually about the size of a natural tooth root. Your jawbone gradually grows around it, creating a strong foundation. This is different from other tooth replacement options like bridges or dentures, which sit on top of your gums or remaining teeth without anchoring into the bone.

There are three main parts to a dental implant system. The implant body is the titanium screw placed in the jawbone. The abutment is a connector piece that sits on top of the implant. The crown is the visible replacement tooth that's attached to the abutment. Some systems combine the abutment and crown into one piece.

Dental implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth. Single implants work well when you're missing one tooth and have healthy teeth on either side. Multiple implants can support a bridge that replaces several teeth in a row. When someone has lost all or most teeth, implants can anchor a full denture, making it more stable and comfortable than traditional dentures that rely only on suction to stay in place.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, implants have a success rate of about 95 percent. Success means the implant remains stable and functional after five years. This high success rate makes implants a popular choice for tooth replacement.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding the basic structure of implants—root, connector, and crown—helps you understand why the process takes several months and involves multiple appointments with your dentist or oral surgeon.

Types of Dental Implant Options Available in Fontana

Fontana has several dental practices offering different implant solutions. The most common types include endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants, and zygomatic implants, though most Fontana dentists focus primarily on endosteal options since they have the highest success rates and work for the majority of patients.

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Endosteal implants are the standard choice used by most Fontana dental offices. These are placed directly into the jawbone and come in different shapes, most commonly screw-shaped. Within this category, there are variations based on surface texture and threading patterns. Some implants have a rough surface that promotes faster bone integration, while others have different thread designs meant to distribute force more evenly across the jaw.

Subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. These were more common decades ago but are now used mainly when someone doesn't have enough jawbone height or width for standard implants and doesn't want or isn't a candidate for bone grafting. A few Fontana practices may offer these, but they're less frequently recommended today.

Mini implants, sometimes called narrow-body implants, are smaller in diameter than standard implants. They may cost less and require shorter healing time. However, they're generally recommended only for specific situations, such as replacing smaller teeth or supporting lower dentures. Several Fontana dental offices mention mini implants as an option, particularly for patients with limited bone structure or budget concerns.

Immediate load implants are placed and loaded with a temporary crown on the same day or within a few days, rather than waiting several months for osseointegration. This option may reduce the total treatment time from many months to a few weeks. Not all patients are candidates for immediate load implants—your jawbone must be dense enough to support the implant right away. Some Fontana practices offer this option for qualified patients.

All-on-4 and All-on-6 implants are specialized systems where four or six implants support a full arch of replacement teeth. These options are designed to restore a complete set of upper or lower teeth and may require less bone grafting than placing individual implants for each tooth. Several Fontana dental centers advertise these solutions for patients missing all or most teeth.

Practical Takeaway: The type of implant recommended depends on your bone structure, the number of teeth you're replacing, and your timeline. Schedule consultations with a few Fontana dental offices to learn which types they recommend for your specific situation.

Cost Factors and What to Expect to Pay

Dental implants in Fontana typically cost between $1,500 and $6,000 per tooth, though prices vary based on the complexity of your case and the specific dentist or oral surgeon. A single tooth implant with crown usually falls in the $3,000 to $4,500 range. This price generally includes the implant, abutment, and crown.

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Several factors affect the total cost. The number of implants needed is the most obvious—replacing one tooth costs less than replacing four. The location of the missing tooth matters too; front teeth often require more cosmetic precision and may cost more than back teeth. Whether you need bone grafting significantly increases costs, as bone grafting procedures can add $500 to $2,000 per site depending on the complexity and material used.

The type of implant system used affects pricing. Some brand-name implant systems cost more than others. However, research shows that implant success rates are fairly similar across major manufacturers, so a more expensive system doesn't necessarily mean better results. The dentist's experience and location within Fontana can also influence costs—practices in certain areas may charge differently based on overhead and local market rates.

Additional procedures that may add to your costs include tooth extractions if you still have damaged teeth, which can run $75 to $300 per tooth. A CT scan or 3D imaging, usually needed to plan implant placement, typically costs $150 to $400. Sinus lifts, performed when implants go in the upper jaw and there isn't enough bone height, can add $1,500 to $3,000. Ridge augmentation to rebuild bone width costs $500 to $2,500.

Most Fontana dental offices do not include the cost of extractions or bone grafting in their standard implant quote, so always ask for an itemized estimate. Some practices offer payment plans, allowing you to pay monthly rather than in full upfront. Others accept dental insurance, though insurance coverage for implants varies widely. Some plans cover 50 percent of implant costs, others cover only a portion of the crown, and many cover nothing.

Comparing pricing between Fontana dental practices is important but should not be your only factor. A lower-cost implant from an inexperienced practitioner may fail, requiring costly replacement. Conversely, the highest-priced option isn't automatically the best. Most experienced Fontana implant dentists fall within the typical range, so gather several quotes and consider the dentist's credentials and experience along with the price.

Practical Takeaway: Request a complete, itemized cost estimate from each dentist that breaks down the implant, crown, and any additional procedures like bone grafting or extractions. Ask about payment plans and insurance coverage before deciding.

Requirements and Considerations for Implant Candidacy

Not everyone is an immediate candidate for dental implants, but many people who aren't can become candidates with preparation. Understanding these requirements helps you decide whether implants make sense for your situation or whether alternative options might work better.

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Jawbone health is the primary consideration. Implants need sufficient bone to anchor into. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone gradually resorbs—breaks down and shrinks. If you've been missing a tooth for years, there may not be enough bone left to support an implant without bone grafting first. A Fontana dentist can evaluate your bone using X-rays or CT scans and let you know what you're working with.

Your overall health matters significantly. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes make it harder for bone to heal around an implant. Autoimmune disorders, active chemotherapy, or recent radiation therapy to the head or neck may delay or prevent implant placement. However, many people with chronic conditions can still get implants once their condition is managed. Smokers have lower implant success rates because smoking reduces blood flow and impairs healing, but smoking alone doesn't disqualify you.

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