Who handles dental implants at Carlmont Dental Care?
Single tooth implants and full-arch implant cases (All-on-4, All-on-6) at Carlmont Dental Care are placed by implant specialist Dr. Shun Chien. Periodontist Dr. Trung Nguyen handles gum and bone preparation — bone grafts, sinus lifts, and gum grafts — and coordinates with Dr. Chien for combined cases.
How long does a dental implant take from start to finish?
A single dental implant typically takes 3–6 months from placement to final crown: the implant is placed, given time to osseointegrate with bone (usually 3–4 months), then restored with an abutment and crown. Cases requiring bone graft or sinus lift may add 3–6 months for healing before implant placement.
Do I need a bone graft before getting a dental implant?
Many patients need some amount of bone graft, especially when teeth have been missing for a long time or when extractions are recent. We confirm bone volume with 3D cone-beam imaging at the consultation; the type of graft (socket preservation, ridge augmentation, sinus lift) depends on which tooth site and how much bone has been lost.
What is the difference between LANAP, gum graft, and deep cleaning?
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) treats early gum disease with non-surgical instruments. LANAP uses a laser to remove infected gum tissue without scalpels or sutures — used for moderate to severe periodontitis. Gum graft surgery rebuilds receded gum tissue, typically with donor or palatal tissue. Dr. Trung Nguyen handles all three at Carlmont Dental Care.
Does dental insurance cover implants, bone graft, or gum graft?
PPO plans (Delta Dental, Aetna, MetLife, Cigna, Guardian) typically cover periodontal procedures (deep cleaning, gum graft, periodontal maintenance) and often portions of implant treatment. Bone graft coverage varies by plan. Carlmont Dental Care verifies benefits and provides a written estimate before treatment begins.