Dental Implants in Santa Rosa

Our doctors have extensive experience placing and restoring dental implants. Dr. Anderson is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. Dr. Erlach is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantology, the highest level of achievement in that organization.  He has earned a Surgical Mastership and Prosthetic Fellowship with the Misch International Implant Institute, where doctors go through rigorous training and testing on planning and placement of dental implants. Additionally, many of our team members have been through the Institute’s team training so that they can give you the finest treatment available and answer any questions you might have.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life.

If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by Dr. Erlach, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Temnitzer and Dr. Bozanich. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

Procedure

Dental implants are man-made roots that are used to support new teeth. They are carefully placed into the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrudes through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves one or two surgical procedures. If necessary, the site of the missing tooth may be augmented by a bone graft or a hopeless tooth removed and allowed to heal for four to six months. For many patients, this is an important first phase to ensure that there is an ideal area for implant placement. Second, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are left to heal undisturbed so they can bond to the bone. Most of our patients are surprised by how comfortable they are during and after surgery. Depending on your situation, you should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a softer diet during this time. Once the site has healed and the implant has been integrated, your dentist takes impressions and designs the final crown, bridgework, or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.

At Fountaingrove Dentistry, more complex restorations are designed first using a low radiation CT scan and 3D computer software. Your doctor can see what the end result will be before they start. Also, surgeries are simpler and more predictable, since the 3D software allows visualization of the entire jaw to include nerves, bone, and desired tooth position. Our 3D Computer software (Simplant) and low radiation CT Scanner (Prexion) are valuable tools to insure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.

Most cases take from 4 to 10 months to complete. However, in some cases, new teeth can be placed on the same day. Our doctors can evaluate you to see if you may be a candidate for “teeth in a day.” Most of our patients experience no disruption in their daily life.

“Our patient presented with a congenitally missing front tooth. After an implant was placed, Dr. Anderson placed a porcelain implant crown and veneer to enhance her smile.”

“All of Shirley’s upper teeth needed to be removed. She wanted natural-feeling teeth and nothing removable. Dr. Erlach was able to replace her teeth with a bridge supported by six implants in the upper arch to give an outstanding cosmetic and functional result.”

“Sonia broke her front tooth below the gum line and it needed to be removed. After extraction and a bone graft, Dr. Erlach placed an implant supported porcelain crown to restore her smile.”

“Maria had been missing her molars for many years and wanted to improve the look of her mouth as well as be able to chew anything again. Dr. Erlach performed sinus bone graft surgery and placed five implants to give her strong, natural-looking teeth again.”

“Bruce had been missing many back teeth and they were replaced by a removable partial denture. He did not like it and wanted more natural fixed teeth that he could chew anything with. Dr. Erlach did sinus bone graft surgery and placed six implants to support his new teeth. Now he can eat anything without his teeth coming loose.”

“Hopeless molars can be removed and replaced by dental implants. In this case, the tooth in front was crowned as well.”

“Sara’s front tooth was replaced with a dental implant. This photo shows the impression of coping that is placed prior to fabricating a natural-looking porcelain crown.”

“Chris broke his front tooth off. Dr. Erlach restored his smile with an implant and porcelain dental crown.”

“Robert is a successful real estate agent, but his six front teeth were severely affected by gum disease. Dr. Erlach and Dr. Jarvis placed four implants supporting custom bridges. Robert has the confidence to eat anything and smile at his clients.”

“The upper left front tooth in Loris’s smile would not hold a crown anymore. Dr. Erlach placed an implant and did some cosmetic treatment on the other teeth to restore and improve her smile.”

“Heather had two lower teeth that never developed. Two failing baby teeth were removed and replaced with dental implant supported crowns.”

“Teeth missing from birth can be replaced by implant supported crowns.”

“Sometimes bone and/or gum grafting are necessary to give an ideal foundation for an implant supported crown.”

“Grace had no permanent eye teeth. Dr. Erlach placed two implants with porcelain crowns to improve her smile for a lifetime.”

“Sometimes the natural teeth have so many problems that they are not worth saving. 3D imaging and planing software can help us with difficult cases to make life-changing improvements in how a person looks and feels.”