Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants with Bakersfield's Dr. Richard Casteen
Randy Alvarez, host of The Wellness Hour, interviews Bakersfield's Dr. Richard "Chip" Casteen about the latest in securing loose dentures with dental implants.
Implants are a good method to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, anchor dentures or can also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances. Dental implants are usually titanium screws that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or implantologist. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they have screws or attachments that will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.
Reasons to Consider Dental Implants:
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Improve your ability to chew by increasing the your bite force.
- Maintain bone volume in the area of missing teeth, thus preventing a cascade of negative processes.
- Because 60% of digestion happens in the mouth, implants can improve your digestive health.
- Implants can bring you more confidence by improving function and comfort to a patient who has dentures.
What Does Dental Implant Therapy Involve?
The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months. Sometimes care can be shorter predicated on bone density.A CT-Scan is taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone volume and density prior to placing an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to uncover the implant to place an abutment and allow healing of soft tissue in the area. After several weeks of healing an impression is taken and the artificial teeth are manufactured to be placed on the implant. The artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant by either a special screw or cement providing stability and comfort to the patient.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Single Tooth ImplantsDental implants start at about $1,800 for a single-tooth implant with a crown. Pricing varies and depends on the materials being used.Look for a dentist that has a lot of experience with dental implants. When they recommend options for replacing missing teeth with dental implants, make sure you ask them how many times they have performed the procedures on others, how often they do it and if they teach the subject. Ask them how many continuing education hours they have dedicated to taking dental implant training courses and when was the last time they attended one.Full Set of Dental ImplantsTo replace a full set of upper or lower teeth, the cost can start from $15,000 to $35,000 per arch of teeth. Financing is available for these procedures. The goal is to get it done right the first time. Choose a dentist with a great bedside manner and a lot of experience with dental implants. This is an expensive procedure, but worth every penny, according to patients. You use your mouth all day, every day. It’s much more important than any new car or truck.
About Dr. Richard "Chip" Casteen
Dr. Richard Casteen uses 25 years of surgical and prosthetic experience to rebuild mouths. He and his staff strive to create a happy environment so that you always have a dental home to come to.Dr. Casteen works with an anesthesiologist and in-house dental technicians to create your final restorations. Whether it is to replace a single tooth, develop a new smile or remove all your remaining teeth and start over, all patients are filtered through his library of experiences. Typical patients suffer from trauma, bone deficiencies, failed root canals, bulimia, xerostomia, drug addiction and occlusal disease. No matter what the story is patients can be reassured that all treatment options will be discussed prior to initiating care, as well as discussion of risks and benefits.For the past 28 years, Dr. Casteen has worked principally out of Bakersfield and lives locally and in Santa Ynez Valley. He is a pilot and especially enjoys flying planes during his weekly commute with his co-pilot Cheech (his Chihuahua mix that he rescued from the street) and his companion in life Tera is the artist of the paintings in the practice. After a motivational discussion with his art teacher when studying to become a potter, Dr. Casteen chose to become a dentist. He has had a diverse life, studied acting for two years in New York City and developed a theater company in Los Angeles (Tom Cats) which produced original plays along with the classics. Dr Casteen can be found after work driving about feeding stray cats or studying the weather. He is an active member in Bakersfield West Rotary.