Dental Implants in Sunnyvale, CA

No matter the age, there are factors we consider prior to a dental implant surgery. The overall health and the state of dental gum are what matters the most. It is also important that you are at an age when your jawbone has fully developed and reached skeletal maturity.

You may not be a good candidate if you have a gum disease, are a smoker, have diabetes, orif you are on some medication. Make your first appointment and a periodontist will discuss your situation and determine your eligibility.

Complications might occur if the healing phase post-treatment wasn’t taken seriously. A patient should be aware that a tooth implant requires a long time to completely heal, we always advise you to follow your periodontist’s instructions. Moreover, proper oral hygiene has to be followed or else implants may wear out eventually.

Pain and swelling are other complications that are sometimes noticed. However, at Trident, our specialists will always assist you with the necessary antibiotics to prevent infections.

With proper oral hygiene, implants can last for a lifetime. The crown may last for at least 10 years before it may need replacement.

Good news! Dental implants don't get cavities, and that’s because implant crowns are artificial.

Dental implants are very easy to maintain. All it takes is a great oral care routine and scheduling check-ups at the dentist’s twice a year.

It doesn’t matter when you’ve had your tooth extracted, you can still get your dental implant surgery at any time.

Implants are attached to the bone which makes them strong enough for a firm bite. They are often considered stronger than natural teeth which are attached to the tooth root instead.

YES. Dental implants are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. No one would be able to tell the difference except for you and your dentist, of course.

While the process may seem long and pricey to some, it’s totally worth the investment as dental implants are a lifetime investment. They are probably the best option for missing teeth and for getting your confident smile back.

Dental implants could cost you as low as $3,000. However, there are many factors that could affect the treatment’s budget such as: location of the teeth, oral surgeries required during the treatment, level of anesthesia used, and others.

Dental insurance may help pay for your treatment, and our dedicated team will assist you in finding a suitable plan, so you don’t have to worry about that part.

• Dental implants and spaceships have something in common. They’re both made from titanium. That’s right, the implant in your mouth will be as strong as the rockets that head to Mars and beyond.
• In 2000 BCE ancient China, missing teeth were replaced with bamboo. The Mayans, in 600 AD, used a hammer and seashells as rudimentary dental implants.
• During the early days of dental implants, between 1500 to 1800, a patient who wanted to replace a missing tooth bought loose teeth from the poor or took them from cadavers.
• While experiments with dental implants were going on in the 1930s and 1950s, real progress didn’t happen until about 1965. That’s when titanium was first used.
• Unlike dentures that must be replaced every decade or so, dental implants can potentially last the rest of your life.

It is CRITICAL to follow all the instructions to prepare for surgery. Your procedure WILL NOT be carried out, if these precautions are not followed. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone surgery if any of the instructions are not followed. If you have any questions, please call or text (408) 505-1777. Notify our practice of any changes to your health before your procedure.

Activity

• Get full night’s sleep before and after the treatment. The human body recovers the most when at rest. Most of the "repairs" are done while a person is asleep, so make sure you get a lot of sleep to make the recovery from the procedure as smooth as possible.

Diet

• Avoid anything to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your appointment.
• Consumption of alcohol must be avoided, 24 hours prior to the surgery.
• If you use tobacco or marijuana products, please refrain from using it at the day of the procedure and be prepared to stop for a period afterwards. It is advisable to use anti-smoking aids (Ex. Lozenge, Patch, Anti-smoking pills)

Medication

• If you are taking any medication, please inform your dentist immediately. If you take prescription medication, take them at your normal times unless otherwise directed by your physician or dentist. DO NOT stop taking any prescription medication unless directed by your physician and dentist.

Oral hygiene

• Please brush your teeth and rinse thoroughly before surgery.

Driver/Caretaker

• Your driver/caretaker MUST be present at the time of sedation and must be able to stay with you during the procedure, take you back home and stay with you. We will discuss the post-operative instructions with you and your driver/caretaker prior to sedation process.

Clothing

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing for the procedure. Your clothes may stain during the procedure so dress accordingly. Wear Flat-soled shoes that support your ankle.
• Do not wear cosmetics around the mouth, as they may be inadvertently transferred in the surgical area during the procedure. Prior to surgery, your nose, cheeks, lips, and chin will be disinfected.

Time

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
• Time is set aside specifically to place your procedure. We have reserved enough time to ensure that the operation proceeds smoothly so that the outcome will be successful. If you feel you will have any problem keeping your appointment, please give us as much notice as possible so that we might utilize your time for another patient.

Alcohol

• Consumption of alcohol must be avoided, 24 hours prior to the surgery.

These instructions are intended to minimize DISCOMFORT and promote HEALING. If you experience any unusual problems or have any questions, please call or text (669) 260-5834.

For the remainder of the day

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed or swallow your saliva.
• Do not drink through a straw. Drink straight from the cup.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.
• Keep 600 mg of Ibuprofen accessible and consume them as the pain medication wears off.
• Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and poking the surgical area can dislodge the blood clot that is forming and will cause bleeding from the area. Also, smoking can increase the chances of an infection.
• If your surgeon placed bone graft material at the time the dental implant was placed, you might notice some gritty material in your mouth. This is nothing to worry about and should subside within a day or two.
• No driving for 24 hours after surgery and while taking sedative medication.

Diet

• Adequate food and fluid intake is very important for recovery BUT avoid hard, crispy, or granular foods for 2 weeks so healing is established.
• Avoid carbonated, caffeinated or alcohol beverages until healing has been established (5-7 days)
• A liquid diet for the first two days after surgery is recommended. These may include nutritional drinks, smoothies, ice cream, soups, broths and juices. Do not use a straw.
• Diabetics must maintain their regular diet and medication.
• After eating, it is important to keep the surgical site clean from food debris. Read oral hygiene instructions below.
• Do not smoke for 7 days or until healing is established after surgery.

Pain

• Take 600 mg of ibuprofen every six/eight hours to control the expected post operative pain unless otherwise directed by physician or dentist. NOTE: If you are taking other pain medications, please ask your doctor if you can substitute it with 500 mg of Tylenol.
• Take the prescribed medications (Antibiotics) as directed on the prescription bottle. If medication makes you have nausea, please contact our office.

Oral hygiene

• The best way to care prevent infection and ensure healing is to keep your mouth clean.
• After 24 hours you may RINSE gently with warm salt water (approx. 1 tsp. per 8 oz. glass of warm water) to help clean and maintain surgical site. DO NOT spit out the water but let it spill out slowly.
• Do not brush the area near surgical site for 1 week. After 1 week, use the Ultra soft bristle toothbrush provided during your appointment to keep the surgical site clean.

Swelling

• Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and healing. The swelling will not become apparent until 24 hours after surgery and will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After this time, the swelling should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days.
• To minimize swelling, gently apply Ice packs to area for periods of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours. If the swelling or stiffness persist for over 10 days, please contact our office.

Bleeding

• Slight bleeding, oozing or reddened saliva is normal during the first 24 hours. Pink or blood-tinged saliva may be seen for 2-3 days following the surgery and does not indicate a problem.
• If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. Do not rinse for the first 48 hrs after surgery.

• You develop an allergic reaction
• You develop a fever
• You develop a swelling
• You notice a pimple forming on your gums
• You have difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Pain increases over time and or becomes severe
• You have any concerns or questions

Peri-implantitis

This is an infection in the tissue that surrounds a dental implant. As the infection worsens, it can destroy both the gums and the bone that support the implant. Eventually, there will not be enough tissue left to continue to support your new tooth. Early signs of such an infection include swelling and redness in the gums, pus, a bad taste, and swollen lymph nodes.

Trauma

A hard impact to one of your dental implants may damage the restoration on top of it. Trauma may also cause significant harm to the tissue surrounding an implant. Common causes of such trauma include trips and falls, sports injuries, and biting down on an extremely hard object.

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Email: care@tridentsmilesdental.com

Phone: (408) 505-1777

If you are unable to contact your dentist and are in pain or have other concerns, go to your nearest emergency room.

If you experience any life-threatening problems, call 911 immediately for assistance.