Answers to the questions we hear most often from new and returning patients at our San Francisco and Redwood City offices.
We have two locations in the Bay Area:
You can request an appointment online through our Appointment Request page, or call the office most convenient for you.
To make your first visit smooth, please download and complete the new patient forms in advance from our Patient Forms page.
You can pay online through our Online Payments page, or in person at either office. We also offer financing options — ask the front desk for details.
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
There are a number of reasons to consider a dental implant:
With more than three decades of clinical experience and over a million patients treated, statistics confirm a success rate of nearly 95 percent for individual Nobel Biocare dental implants*, and even higher for the bridges they support.
* Results based on dental implants and dental bridges remaining and in function over a five-year period.
At Allegro Dental, our doctors are experienced in implant placement and restoration. Please contact us to schedule a consultation.
The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to placement to ensure long-term health. To obtain a specific fee estimate, a doctor will need to examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, your dentist will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Your dentist is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate dental implant treatment. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This means you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
When dental implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort, and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Yes. Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth.
Today, state-of-the-art guided surgical techniques allow your dental implant to be placed in a single session using keyhole surgery. This method has significantly simplified the procedure for both patients and dentists. The major advantage is minimal manipulation of the soft tissue, which significantly reduces healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional surgical techniques.
The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, you are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved, and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort than placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Your doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller. You should expect to be able to work the next day.
Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. See your dentist every six months, or more frequently if so advised.
Call 415-584-8500 (San Francisco) or use our Contact page to get in touch.