Dental Implants for Fairfield families
Many Fairfield families choose Regency Dental Group because the drive up I-80 is short and our Monday-through-Thursday hours fit around work at the county offices, Jelly Belly, and the medical campus on Waterman Boulevard. Patients from Cordelia, Green Valley and the Paradise Valley area are regulars here.
A dental implant is the closest thing modern dentistry has to growing a new tooth. A small titanium post is placed in the jawbone where the root used to be; over a few months the bone fuses to it; and a custom crown is attached on top. The result looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. Implants do not decay, do not require reshaping the neighboring teeth the way a bridge does, and preserve the jawbone that otherwise shrinks after a tooth is lost. For many patients missing a single tooth, an implant is the best long-term investment available.
Implants also solve larger problems. Two or more implants can anchor a bridge that replaces several teeth, and a small number of implants can secure a full denture so that it no longer slips, rubs or needs adhesive. For long-time denture wearers, implant retention is frequently described as life-changing.
Implant treatment is a team effort, and we are clear about who does what. Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist who plans your case, evaluates your bite and the space available, and designs, fits and maintains the final restoration. The surgical placement of the implant post is performed by a local oral surgeon or periodontist with whom we coordinate closely. You will know the plan, the sequence and the costs from both offices before anything begins.
The full process typically spans three to six months, most of that healing time. If a tooth must first be removed, or if bone grafting is needed to build enough support, that adds to the timeline. Once the implant has integrated, the restorative steps in our office are straightforward: a scan, a custom abutment and crown from the laboratory, and a delivery visit. From then on, an implant is cared for like a natural tooth, with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings and exams.
Why Fairfield patients choose this treatment here
- Looks, feels and chews like a natural tooth
- Does not require grinding down the neighboring teeth
- Preserves jawbone and facial structure
- Can anchor bridges or stabilize a loose denture
- Restoration designed and maintained by the dentist who knows your mouth
What happens at your visit
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Consultation, X-rays and a discussion of implant versus bridge or partial
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Coordinated referral for surgical placement, including any extraction or grafting
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Healing and integration, typically three to six months
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Digital scan in our office and laboratory fabrication of the abutment and crown
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Delivery, bite adjustment and home-care instruction
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Ongoing maintenance at regular hygiene visits
Why make the drive from Fairfield
The restorative phase is where an implant succeeds or disappoints, and it is the phase we control. Dr. Carter plans the case backward from the final tooth, so the surgeon places the implant where the crown needs it to be, not the other way around. We use digital scanning, work with an experienced dental laboratory, and adjust the bite meticulously so the implant is not overloaded. Because we see you for regular hygiene visits, we monitor the implant for years afterward and catch any gum inflammation early. We are transparent about the two-office arrangement and about costs from both offices, and we offer CareCredit to spread out the investment.
Questions from Fairfield patients
How far is dental implants treatment from Fairfield?
Fairfield is about 12 miles southwest of our office, a straightforward drive up Interstate 80 to the Nut Tree Parkway exit. Plan on about 15 to 20 minutes.
Do you place dental implants in your office?
Dr. Carter is a general dentist who plans the case and provides the crown, bridge or denture that attaches to the implant. The implant post itself is placed by a local oral surgeon or periodontist we coordinate with.
How long does the implant process take?
Typically three to six months from placement to final crown, longer if an extraction or bone graft is needed first.
How long do implants last?
The implant post can last decades with good care. The crown on top may need replacement after many years of wear, like any restoration.
Read the complete Dental Implants guide including aftercare, cost and insurance details.
Dr. Lance Carter is a general dentist licensed by the Dental Board of California. Services on this page that are associated with a recognized dental specialty are provided by a general dentist who is not a licensed specialist in that field. When a case is better served by a specialist, we say so and coordinate the referral.
General education only, not a diagnosis. Outcomes vary by patient. Please schedule an exam to discuss your situation.