Dental Implants

Missing teeth affect more than your appearance. They can also threaten your oral health and function. At his office in Ione, California, Thomas Eaton, DDS, can restore your smile with dental implants. Dr. Eaton has provided the community with durable, reliable solutions like dental implants for over 35 years. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to find out if dental implants are right for you.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants replace the root portion of missing teeth. These durable titanium devices surgically implant into your jawbone, connecting to crowns, bridges, or dentures to provide a stable and secure foundation for replacement teeth. 

By integrating with the jawbone, dental implants ensure that your replacement teeth feel and function just like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

How are dental implants unique?

Dental implants offer many advantages compared to traditional teeth replacement options, which sit on top of your gums. Benefits include:

Permanent solution

Dental implants osseointegrate — bond during the healing process — with your jawbone. Once your mouth heals, they provide a stable foundation for your replacement teeth.

Improved oral health

Unlike traditional bridges, dental implants don’t require altering adjacent teeth for support. This preserves the integrity of neighboring teeth and promotes better oral health.

Natural appearance

Since dental implants integrate with your jawbone, they eliminate the discomfort and inconvenience of removable dentures.

Enhanced comfort

Implants are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, resulting in a seamless smile that blends seamlessly with your remaining teeth.

Better speech and chewing

Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can affect speech clarity and make chewing difficult. Dental implants restore proper tooth function, allowing for clearer speech, improved communication, and easier chewing.

Jawbone preservation

Without teeth, your jawbone has no stimulation, which can cause its structure to deteriorate. Dental implants stimulate bone growth and help preserve jawbone density, maintaining your facial structure and preventing further bone loss.

What can I expect from dental implants?

The dental implant planning process can take several weeks. It typically involves thorough examinations, including onsite X-rays and scans, to assess your bone density and oral health.

Implants require a healthy jawbone. If you don’t have enough tooth-supporting bone, Dr. Eaton may recommend a bone graft before surgery. Healing from this step can take up to three months.

When you arrive for dental implant surgery, Dr. Eaton administers anesthesia. Next, he removes any severely damaged or decayed teeth. He surgically places the implant into your jawbone and stitches the incisions. You can expect about 6-12 weeks of recovery time before returning to the office.

At your final visit, Dr. Eaton connects your replacement teeth to your implants, restoring your smile’s appearance and function.

Call Thomas Eaton, DDS, today or use the online booking tool to schedule a dental implant consultation.