Dental Implants in Sunnyvale, CA

Replace missing teeth with dental implants

Dental implants are one of the best ways to improve your overall oral health and have you smiling with confidence. Missing teeth can limit the foods you are able to eat and have a long-term impact on your oral health, not to mention your emotional well-being. Dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

With dental implants from Dr. Melko, you will be able to eat virtually anything. In fact, implants also preserve and restore your facial contouring, keeping you looking even more youthful! Rather than temporary or non-permanent fixes like dentures, implants are a simple way to permanently replace lost teeth.

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What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jawbone, mimicking the root of a natural tooth. An artificial tooth, or crown, is then attached to this post, seamlessly blending in with your surrounding natural teeth. At Melko Dental in Sunnyvale, our implants are custom-made to match your teeth’s color and size, ensuring a natural-looking smile.

Are Dental Implants Right For Me?

Patients who need dental implants will quickly learn they are more than just an aesthetic solution. By replacing the entire tooth structure including the root, this helps maintain your jawbone’s integrity, preventing further bone loss. They also provide the functionality of real teeth, improving speech, eating, and overall oral health. Dental implants have a high success rate, and with proper care, can last a lifetime.

Advanced Implant Training and Experience

Dr. Melko is highly experienced in placing and restoring dental implants. She uses the latest dental technology to ensure accurate placement and long-lasting results including stem cell therapy, using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to regenerate bone around dental implants and facial skin. Dr. Melko is compassionate and provides a personalized approach that makes the implant process comfortable and stress-free. Her dedication to perfection ensures that your new teeth look, feel, and function just like your natural ones.

Understanding Dental Implants – Step-By-Step

Initial Consultation

First, you’ll meet with Dr. Shamiram Melko for a comprehensive consultation at our office. Dr. Melko will review your dental records, health history, and take X-rays and other digital images of your teeth and jaws to determine if you’re a good candidate for a dental implant. Most patients with a healthy mouth and strong jawbone qualify. If your jawbone is not dense enough for an implant, you may still be able to get an implant with bone grafting, but this will add some more time to the process. Dr. Melko will discuss all of your options with you during your visit.

Implant Placement Surgery

Once you’re approved for an implant, you’ll come back for your implant placement surgery. Dr. Melko will clean and numb your mouth, then create a small opening in your gums and jawbone. We also offer sedation options to keep you feeling more comfortable. Using your X-rays as a guide, she will place a tiny titanium implant into this area, securing it tightly in place. Then, you’ll be sent home to heal and recover.

Recovery & Follow-Ups

It takes about 2-3 weeks to fully heal from implant placement, but most patients are able to get back to their normal routines within a day or two after their surgery. After this initial phase, the implant must bond with the jawbone for a period of 3-6 months. This process, called “osseointegration,” locks the implant in place to keep it completely stable. You’ll come in for several visits during this time to track your progress and so that Dr. Melko can start designing your permanent crown.

Final Crown Placement

Once your implant is fully healed, you’ll come back for a quick visit to get an abutment. This is a small metal connector piece that attaches your crown to your implant. Once the abutment is in place, you’ll come back one last time for your final crown placement. Dr. Melko will attach a custom-made crown to your implant, locking it in place permanently to restore your tooth, smile, and self-confidence.

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What should I know about mini implants?

Dental Implants

Some patients aren’t good candidates for traditional implants, often due to bone density issues in the jaw. In that case, mini implants might become a viable alternative. These smaller implants can still do the job of securing a solid replacement tooth or even dentures, so they are a great choice when a full-size implant is not possible.

All-On-4 Implant-Supported Dentures

All-on-4 implants

Traditional dentures have worked well for many dental patients over the years, but they come with drawbacks, like slipping and instability. All-on-4 implant-supported dentures are a perfect solution to restore your confidence. Unlike traditional dentures that must be removed each night, this option uses four carefully placed implants to keep your dentures permanently secured in your mouth. When crafted with the artistry that Dr. Melko delivers, they will look and act indistinguishably from natural teeth!

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a procedure often required for dental implant patients who lack sufficient jawbone volume to support an implant. Factors such as prolonged tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma may cause this deficiency. Bone grafting aids by stimulating new bone growth in the area, creating a stronger foundation for the implant. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and success of dental implants, thus making it an important step towards a restored smile.

Sinus Lifts

In some cases, the sinus cavity can be so low that it gets in the way of the upper jawbone, and as a result, dental implants might not be practical. In this case, a bone graft can be used alone with a lifting of the sinus membrane, which will ultimately provide the space that is required for implants to be placed successfully.

PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)

Platelet-Rich Fibrin

At Melko Dental, we use Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) to support faster, more predictable healing for our implant patients. PRF is a natural, regenerative therapy derived from a small sample of your own blood. Using a specialized centrifuge, we separate and concentrate platelets, growth factors, and white blood cells into a fibrin matrix that’s rich in the building blocks your body needs to heal.
Once prepared, PRF is placed directly at the implant or extraction site, where it releases growth factors gradually over several days. This helps stimulate faster soft tissue healing, supports bone regeneration, and reduces swelling and discomfort after surgery — all without synthetic additives or donor tissue.
Because PRF comes entirely from your own blood, it’s a safe, biocompatible option with virtually no risk of rejection or allergic reaction. Patients who receive PRF during implant placement often experience a smoother recovery, reduced risk of infection, and improved integration between the implant and surrounding bone.
For patients considering dental implants, PRF represents an added layer of support — helping your body do what it does best, only faster and more efficiently. Ask our team at Melko Dental if PRF therapy is right for your implant treatment plan.

Dental Implant FAQs

What Can I Expect When Getting a Dental Implant?

The dental implant process involves several stages, including the initial consultation, surgical implant placement, a healing period, and crown attachment. The entire process, from start to finish, typically takes several months, but the temporary crown in that space ensures your smile is never left looking unfinished. Patients who proceed with dental implants from Melko Dental know that this investment of time yields a permanent solution that closely replicates your natural teeth in form and function.

How much do dental implants cost in Sunnyvale?

The cost of dental implants in Sunnyvale can vary depending on your individual needs. A single-tooth implant typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000 or more per tooth, especially if additional procedures like bone grafting are required. For more extensive cases, such as All-on-4 dental implants designed to replace an entire arch, the cost will be significantly higher.

While most dental insurance plans don’t fully cover implants, Melko Dental offers patient-friendly financing options, including the Holistic Smile Plan and Cherry financing, to help make treatment more affordable. If you’re wondering about costs for your unique situation, give us a call at (408) 720-1123 to schedule a personalized consultation.

How long does the entire dental implant process take?

The timeline for getting dental implants depends on your unique needs but typically spans 3 to 9 months. The process begins with a consultation and thorough examination, followed by the surgical placement of the implant post.

Afterward, a healing period of 3 to 6 months is needed for the implant to integrate with your jawbone. Once your implant has fully healed and bonded (osseointegrated) with your jawbone, a custom crown, bridge, or denture is attached for a fully restored smile.

Additional treatments like tooth extractions and bone grafts can add more time to the process, too. Interested in a clearer idea of your treatment timeline? Dr. Melko can walk you through each step during your consultation in Sunnyvale.

Does dental insurance cover implants?

The answer is usually “no.” Unfortunately, most dental insurance policies only cover the cost of other tooth replacement options like partial dentures or dental bridges, and exclude dental implants from coverage. However, your plan may cover part of the cost of preparatory treatments like tooth extractions.

For more information, we recommend contacting your insurer directly, or asking our team for guidance. And if you’re concerned about treatment costs at our office, our team can help you explore financing options such as Cherry. This lets you split your treatment costs into affordable, reasonable monthly payments.

Is the Cost of Dental Implants Worth It?

It’s a common question that we hear from patients. What do implants cost, and are they worth it? Our implant patients have universally told us, “Yes! It was the best investment in my health I’ve ever made!” Unlike other tooth replacement options, our dental implant patients find they do not require replacement or adjustment over time, making them highly cost-effective in the long run. Most importantly, the confidence, comfort, and functionality that comes with a complete smile are priceless.

How long does the entire dental implant process take?

Am I a candidate for dental implants if I’ve had bone loss?

Yes! Even if you’ve experienced bone loss, dental implants may still be an option. In many cases, patients can benefit from additional procedures like bone grafting to strengthen the jawbone before implant placement.

Dr. Shamiram Melko has extensive experience helping patients who face complex dental challenges, offering tailored solutions like mini dental implants or implant-supported dentures. Schedule a consultation at our Sunnyvale office to explore the possibilities for your smile and long-term oral health.

How long do dental implants last?

The dental implant itself (the piece of titanium metal) can easily last 30+ years or even the rest of your life with proper care. This includes brushing and flossing, maintaining a “tooth-healthy” diet and lifestyle, and coming to Melko Dental every six months for checkups and maintenance. If you take good care of your implant, you can keep it forever.

However, your implant restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) will wear down over time and need to be replaced eventually, similarly to a natural tooth. Depending on the type of restoration, you may need to replace it every 10-20 years. However, just like with the implant itself, proper maintenance of your restoration will maximize its lifespan.

Complete Your Smile, Change Your Life

If you’ve been considering dental implants, you already know they are an optimal choice for those seeking to replace missing teeth and restore oral health. From the natural appearance to the full functionality and long-lasting results, dental implants have proven to be a sound investment in your health.

Whether you’re considering mini implants, All-on-4 implant-supported dentures, or need bone grafting or a sinus lift, Dr. Melko’s extensive experience and patient-centric approach to dental implants ensure that you receive the best care and outcome possible. We understand that this can be a life-changing decision, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. We invite patients from Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and anywhere in the greater San Jose area to start their journey towards a complete, confident smile today.

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