Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the so-widgets-bundle domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121
IMPLANTS | Fresno Dentist | General Dentistry | Dr Guillermo Donan DDS

Implants

 

An implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in the jaw in order to replace a tooth or teeth, or sometimes, to stabilize a denture. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A tooth restoration, or crown, is then fixed to the post. The crown can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

If you are a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in your jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease, you may be a candidate for dental implants.

Why choose Dr. Donan for your dental implant procedure?

Dr. Donan graduated from the world-renowned Misch International Implant Institute in 2010 and completed a one-year residency program certification at Fellow International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). An eye for detail and exceptional results are what you can expect to receive at our Fresno, CA dental office.

Versatility of Implants

  • Single implant: If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick.
  • Multiple implants: If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth).
  • Implants and prosthetics: If you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.

Advantages of Implants over Dentures or Bridges

  • The instability of conventional bridges and dentures can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence.
  • Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force.
  • Implants don’t compromise the health of your natural teeth since they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support.
  • Implants will typically last a lifetime if they’re cared for properly, while bridges usually only last ten years.

Implant Services

The implant services provided at Guillermo & Silvia Donan, DDS include:

  • Sinus Lift Augmentation: Often the sinuses will enlarge in size following loss of the upper back teeth. This often will preclude placement of dental implants in the upper back areas of the mouth, since the sinus is an air-filled space and dental implants need to be surrounded by solid bone. A sinus lift augmentation/graft is a surgical procedure that returns the sinus cavity to its original position, and replaces the bone that has been lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes nine to 12 months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.
  • Autogenous Bone Grafting: Occasionally, the ideal areas for dental implants do not have sufficient bone quantity to support the implants. In these cases, it is often necessary to “borrow” bone from another area of your mouth and graft it into the deficient area. Often, the area of choice is from the chin or in the back of the jaw where your wisdom teeth used to be.
  • Implant Site Development: When a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the infected tooth. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.
  • Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning: We have special software on our computer that allows us to evaluate your dental CT scan in three dimensions for bone quality, bone quantity, and bone location, enabling the best possible placement of your dental implants. This also allows us to work closely and smoothly with your restorative dentist to ensure an ideal result where your dental implants are concerned.
  • Implant Maintenance: Once your dental implant restoration is completed, it is important to keep the area clean and infection-free. Dental implants can accumulate plaque and tartar just as teeth can. Whether you have just one tooth replaced by an implant or several, professional cleanings at our Fresno dental office will be necessary to keep your implants healthy. The time interval for these professional cleanings will be determined by Dr. Donan according to your individual needs.