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Dental ImplantsIn Carmel Valley
Missing a tooth shouldn't hold you back from living your best life. Dental implants not only restore your confidence but improve your overall oral health. With an implant, you'll enjoy full functionality again—eating, laughing, and speaking without a second thought.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
If you're missing a tooth or have one that can't be saved, dental implants are one of the best solutions available. They’re safe, long-lasting, and designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that acts like the root of a tooth. It's topped with a custom-made crown that blends in with your other teeth. Implants can improve your bite, restore your smile, and help you chew comfortably again.
Replacing a missing tooth is important—not just for looks, but also for your oral health. Gaps can cause surrounding teeth to shift and can lead to bone loss in your jaw over time. That can even affect the shape of your face.
Before placing an implant, Dr. Hunt performs a detailed evaluation to make sure it’s the right choice for you. This includes:
- A CT scan to check bone levels and identify important structures like nerves and sinuses.
- An intraoral scan to get a 3D view of your teeth, bite, and jaw.
- A review of your medical history and a thorough oral exam to assess the health of your gums and bone.
- He also considers the location of the missing tooth and whether the area is well-suited for successful healing and integration.
Most importantly, Dr. Hunt takes the time to talk with you, answer your questions, and make sure you fully understand your options. Together, you’ll decide if a dental implant is the right solution for your smile and health.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Natural Feel and Function
Dental implants closely mimic your natural teeth, allowing you to brush, floss, and eat just like you always have.
Long-Lasting Solution
With proper care, dental implants can last for decades, making them one of the most durable tooth replacement options. This long-term stability saves patients from repeated replacements and ongoing adjustments.
Preserves Oral Health
Made from biocompatible titanium, implants actually integrate with your jawbone, stimulating it just like natural tooth roots. This helps prevent bone loss and maintains your facial structure.
Our Difference
Guided Surgery with 3D Printing
Elevate your dental implant experience with our advanced 3D-printed surgical guides. These crafted guides ensure unparalleled precision, streamlining your procedure for enhanced comfort and optimal results.
Bone Grafting
When it comes to ensuring the longevity and functionality of your dental implants, proper preparation is key. Dr. Hunt brings extensive expertise in bone grafting, a vital procedure for enhancing bone density and supporting implant stability.
No Guess-Work, More Comfort
With cone-beam computed tomography, or CBCT technology, we give our patients peace of mind. This reliable technology ensures precise placement for increased patient comfort and better overall outcomes.
Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology
Dr. Hunt is a proud Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. This prestigious title is only awarded to the best of the best after rigorous training and credentialing. You can rest easy knowing your smile is in expert hands.
The Implant Treatment Process
Placement
Once we've confirmed your treatment plan, we'll schedule your procedure and walk you through exactly what to expect. During the surgery, we make a precise incision in your gum and carefully place the dental implant into your jawbone. We then clean the area and apply sutures to promote healing. This sets the foundation for your new tooth.
Healing & Osseointegration
Healing begins right after implant placement. The incision typically heals within 1-2 weeks, but full integration of the implant with your jawbone (called osseointegration) takes about 3-6 months. We'll schedule check-ups during this time to ensure everything is healing properly.
Measuring Stability
The final step is adding your custom crown, which will be performed by your general dentist or specialist. Before that can happen, however, you'll return to our office, where Dr. Hunt will perform an Osstell Reading, which tells us the Implant Stability Quotient, indicating how well the implant has integrated with the surrounding bone. This helps Dr. Hunt decide if the implant can be loaded with the restoration.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
A single tooth implant is a modern solution for replacing a missing tooth. It consists of a titanium post surgically placed into your jawbone and a custom-made crown attached to it. Unlike removable options like partial dentures, implants are permanently fixed, offering stability and comfort that feels just like your natural teeth.
Single tooth implants provide the most natural tooth replacement option available, preserving your jawbone and surrounding teeth.
Dental implants represent a fusion of precision engineering and individualized treatment. The implant post utilizes medical-grade titanium in standardized dimensions, manufactured to exacting specifications for optimal biocompatibility and osseointegration.
Following implant placement and the integration period, stability is assessed using the Ostell Reading to determine the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ). This measurement confirms successful osseointegration and readiness for restoration.Once adequate stability is confirmed, Dr. Hunt refers the patient back to their restorative dentist for custom abutment and crown fabrication. The crown is typically constructed from porcelain to ensure optimal aesthetics and durability, completing the implant restoration process.
With proper placement and care, dental implants can last for decades. The crown attached to the implant may need replacement over time due to normal wear, but the implant itself often lasts a lifetime.
Factors affecting implant longevity include:
- Good oral hygiene and care
- Regular dental check-ups and cleanings
- Quality of initial placement and healing
- Overall health and lifestyle factors
Regular check-ups help monitor everything and address any issues early.
Yes, dental implants prevent jawbone deterioration. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area starts to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. A dental implant acts like an artificial tooth root, transmitting chewing forces to the jawbone.
How implants preserve bone:
- Stimulate jawbone through chewing
- Maintain bone density and strength
- Prevent facial collapse from bone loss
- Function like natural tooth roots
This bone stimulation maintains your facial structure and prevents the sunken appearance seen with traditional dentures.
In some cases, yes. You can receive a dental implant and temporary restoration in a single day, depending on your specific situation and the type of implant best suited for you.
Same-day dental implant process:
- Implant placement during initial visit
- Temporary restoration allows normal function
- Implant heals while you use the temporary crown
- Follow-up appointments monitor healing progress
- Permanent crown placement once healing is complete
A consultation with Dr. Hunt will help determine if same-day dental implants are the best approach for your needs.
While your dental implants heal, several temporary solutions are available:
- Transitional partial: Most common for single front teeth, removable, easy to clean, and aesthetically pleasing
- Temporary bridges: Custom-made for multiple missing teeth
- Modified existing appliances: Adjusted partials or dentures that accommodate healing implants
Dr. Hunt will recommend the best temporary solution for your case.
Dental implant care is similar to natural tooth care:
- Daily oral hygiene: Brush and floss around implant crowns properly
- Specialized cleaning tools: Water flossers or interdental brushes as recommended
- Regular dental visits: Professional cleanings every 3 months
- Long-term maintenance: Periodic adjustments for optimal function
Proper implant care ensures decades of reliable function.
