Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in Lake Arrowhead

What Dental Implants Are and How They Work

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that looks and feels like a natural tooth. The implant has three main parts: the post (which goes into your jawbone), the abutment (which connects the post to the crown), and the crown (which is the visible part that looks like a tooth). Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are anchored directly into your bone, which makes them very stable.

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The post is usually made of titanium, a strong metal that your body accepts well. When the post is placed in your jawbone, your bone grows around it over several months. This process is called osseointegration. Once your bone has grown around the post, it becomes very secure. Then your dentist attaches the abutment and crown on top.

Dental implants can replace one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth. For a single tooth, you get one post and one crown. For multiple missing teeth, you might have several posts with individual crowns, or you might have a bridge that connects multiple crowns to fewer posts. For a full mouth, some people have many posts holding bridges, while others have fewer posts holding removable dentures that snap in place.

The main reasons people choose implants are that they function like real teeth, they can last many years, and they don't require the dentist to file down neighboring healthy teeth like a traditional bridge does. Implants also help preserve your jawbone. When you lose a tooth and don't replace it, your jawbone slowly shrinks because it no longer has a root to stimulate it. An implant post provides that stimulation, which helps keep your bone structure intact.

Practical takeaway: Understanding how implants work helps you have better conversations with your dentist about whether they might be right for you. Ask your dentist to explain the three parts and how they're connected in your specific situation.

Types of Dental Implants Available in Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead dentists offer several types of implants that vary in design, material, and how they're placed. The most common type is the endosteal implant, which goes directly into the jawbone. This is what most people think of when they hear "dental implant." Endosteal implants come in different shapes—some are cylindrical (shaped like a screw) and others are blade-shaped. Your dentist will recommend the type that fits your bone structure and specific needs.

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Another type is the subperiosteal implant, which sits on top of the jawbone rather than inside it. This option is used when a patient doesn't have enough bone height or bone density for an endosteal implant. Instead of being anchored into the bone, the post sits under the gum but above the bone. Subperiosteal implants are less common than they used to be because bone grafting techniques have improved, but some Lake Arrowhead dentists still offer them when appropriate.

Zygomatic implants are a specialized option that anchors into the cheekbone instead of the jaw. This is used in rare cases where someone has very little jawbone remaining and doesn't want to have a bone graft. This is an advanced procedure that only some specialists in the area perform.

You'll also hear about different materials. Titanium is the standard because it's proven to work well with bone. Some newer implants use zirconia, which is white instead of gray. Some people prefer zirconia because it can show through thin gums less than titanium, but titanium has a longer track record. Most Lake Arrowhead dentists primarily use titanium implants.

Implants also differ in their surface finish. Some surfaces are rougher, which helps bone grow to the implant faster. Smoother surfaces can work too. Your dentist might explain that different brands have different surface treatments, but the overall outcomes are usually similar.

Practical takeaway: When you visit a Lake Arrowhead dentist, ask them which types of implants they have experience with and why they would recommend a particular type for your situation. Different patients need different solutions based on their bone structure and medical history.

Steps in the Dental Implant Process

The dental implant process takes several months from start to finish. First, you'll have a consultation where your dentist examines your mouth, takes X-rays, and talks with you about what you want. They'll check how much bone you have and whether you have any conditions that might affect healing, like diabetes or gum disease. If you smoke or take certain medications, your dentist needs to know because these can affect how well the implant integrates with your bone.

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If you don't have enough bone, your dentist might recommend a bone graft. This means adding bone material to build up your jaw where the implant will go. The bone material might come from your own body, from a donor, or from synthetic material. A bone graft can add several months to your timeline, so it's important to understand this upfront.

Once your dentist confirms you have enough bone, they'll place the implant post. This is a surgical procedure done under local anesthesia (numbing medication), though some patients choose sedation to be more comfortable. The dentist makes an opening in your gum, then carefully places the post into your jawbone. The gum is then closed with stitches. This whole appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

After the post is placed, you enter the osseointegration phase. This is when your bone grows around the post. This typically takes 3 to 6 months, though it can be longer in the lower jaw. During this time, the post is covered by gum tissue, so there's nothing visible. You need to avoid putting pressure on the area and follow your dentist's instructions about eating soft foods and keeping the area clean.

Once osseointegration is complete, your dentist will reopen the gum and place the abutment on top of the post. Then they'll take impressions for your crown. The crown is custom-made to match your other teeth in color, shape, and size. Sometimes the crown can be placed the same day as the abutment, but usually you wait a week or two for it to be made. Once it's ready, your dentist cements or screws it on top of the abutment, and you're done.

Practical takeaway: Block out your calendar for at least 4 to 8 months when considering implants. Ask your Lake Arrowhead dentist for a specific timeline based on your situation, since individual healing rates vary.

What Dental Implants Cost and Payment Options

Dental implant costs in Lake Arrowhead typically range from $3,000 to $6,500 per tooth, though this can vary based on several factors. The post itself usually costs between $1,500 and $3,000. The abutment and crown add another $1,500 to $3,500. If you need a bone graft first, that can add $500 to $3,000 more depending on how much bone needs to be added.

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Several things affect your total cost. The location matters—implants in the back of your mouth might cost more than in the front because they need to be stronger. The brand of the implant post can affect price. Your dentist's experience level also plays a role. Some specialists who do many implants might have different pricing than a general dentist. Whether you need bone grafting, sinus lifts (a procedure to add bone near your sinuses), or other preparatory work will increase the cost.

Most dental insurance plans cover only 10 to 50 percent of implant costs, if they cover them at all. Many insurance plans treat implants as cosmetic and don't cover them. Check your specific insurance policy or call your insurance company to understand your coverage. Some insurance companies cover the post but not the crown, or vice versa. It's worth asking your dentist's office to help you understand what your insurance might pay.

Many Lake Arrowhead dental offices offer payment plans. Some use in-house financing where you make monthly payments directly to the office. Others partner with healthcare financing companies that offer payment plans with or without interest. These plans typically allow you to spread payments over 12 to 60 months. Some offices offer discounts if you pay in full upfront.

Some people use dental discount plans or membership programs instead of insurance. These aren't insurance but rather membership programs that give you