Cupertino Dental Implants doctors

Dalvir Pannu, DDS Dalvir Pannu, DDS
San Jose Cosmetic Dentist
2664 Berryessa Road Suite 204, San Jose
3 answers
Randall LaFrom, DDS Randall LaFrom, DDS
San Jose Cosmetic Dentist
20445 Pacifica Drive Suite B, Cupertino
2 answers
Khalil Sage, DDS Khalil Sage, DDS
Cupertino Cosmetic Dentist
10413 Torre Avenue Suit 600, Cupertino

Recent Answers

A: Pick your choice for replacing missing tooth

If for some reason you have lost the lower second molar, replacing it can be a tricky question. One thing I would like to recommend is that you need to replace any missing tooth to prevent the movement of the adjacent and opposing teeth into the empty space. As a law of nature when you loose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will try to fill in the space. The first option to replace the tooth is by an implant as it does not involve grinding down other teeth for support and it is permanent. The second option is a bridge if you have a strong and good third molar for support. The third option is a removable partial denture. The last but not the least is to put a cantilever bridge  but only after very careful evalution of the adjacent teeth and gums.Hope this helps answer your question.

Dalvir Pannu, DDS
San Jose Cosmetic Dentist
Is It Normal for Bone Graft to Be Added 4 Months After Dental Implants Have Already Been Placed?

I have had two dental implants put in about 4 months ago after missing my two bicuspids for several years. Gums have shrunk severely, however on the day of the procedure the periodontist decided bone graft is not needed. It has now been almost 4 months since the surgery and he is suggesting bone graft. Is it okay to have bone graft added after implants have already been placed? Is it going to be an issue to open the gums back again and would it take an additional 6 mo. for healing to take place?

A: Bone graft after 4 months is ok.

When a tissue is traumatized, the body responds. When bone graft material is placed on the day of an extraction, the cells that go in to respond to the trauma will help create new bone. Four months after a procedure is done, the bone doesn't have the same stimulus to create new bone. There are newer procedures coming out that increase the probablity that bone will grow, which include adding platelets from the person to the bone mix. The reason you would want to grow more bone is for additional strength to support the implant.

Randall LaFrom, DDS
San Jose Cosmetic Dentist
Exorbitant Cost of Dental Implant?

$3500 est. for front tooth extraction+implant. The dentist booked 45 minutes to do this work! The crown will cost an extra $1200. How is this justified? Even allowing for the cost of overhead and material it seems like people and insurance companies are being gouged.

A: Implants are still a bargain...

If you were to have a bridge in that area, you'd probably pay close to that fee, however, you'd most likely need to replace the bridge in 12-20 years. With the implant, you haven't damaged the adjacent tooth AND most importantly, it will probably last you a lifetime...if you take care of it.

The price you are quoting is within reason. The prices can vary so much, it's almost difficult for us to quote a fee. If you need an extraction, if you need bone augmentation, if you need a 3D-CAT scan to see the best location for the implant, if you need a surgical splint, if you need tissue grafting or even a second bone graft to make sure the esthetics is there, these all add to the cost. In addition, the lab bills for implant crowns are nearly three times as much as for traditional crowns and the lab components that go into the bone are relatively expensive.

[This doesn't include the fact that malpractice insurance for implant placing dentists is at least double than traditional malpractice insurance.]

Randall LaFrom, DDS
San Jose Cosmetic Dentist
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.