Restore Your Smile
A dental implant is a tooth replacement option that can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is taken care of with regular brushing and flossing and can bring confidence back to your smile. If there is not enough bone to support a dental implant, a bone graft be placed to help new bone grow before the post is inserted. Visit our What Are Dental Implants page to learn more about the available tooth restoration options at The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego.
Types of Dental Implants
At The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego, Dr. Koshgerian and Dr. Shelton offer several implant treatment options depending on your restorative needs.
- Single Dental Implant. A single dental implant can be placed in any area of the mouth where a tooth is missing. Learn more about single tooth replacement.
- Implant-Supported Bridges. When several teeth are missing next to each other, dental implants can support a bridge to complete your smile. This prevents the need to grind down healthy teeth to attach a bridge.
- Immediate Implants. We can place a dental implant as soon as a tooth is extraction, reducing the number of appointments needed to restore the tooth. Learn more about same-day dental implants.
- Full-Arch Restoration. As few as four dental implant posts support a permanent denture in one or both dental arches. This completely restores your smile and is ideal for patients missing many or all of their teeth. Learn more about multiple teeth replacement.
The Biggest Benefits of Dental Implants
Improved Speaking and Eating.
Unlike ill-fitting dentures, dental implants stay in place and make it easier to speak and eat properly.
Improved Appearance and Self-Esteem.
With a complete smile, you can feel like you again and regain your confidence.
Convenient and Easy Care.
Keeping your dental implant clean and healthy is easy. Simply brush and floss your replacement tooth or teeth regularly.
Durability.
Its titanium post makes a dental implant very strong. They can even replace molars. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
What Factors Into the Cost of a Dental Implant?
For the most accurate estimate of the cost of your dental implant treatment, we recommend a consultation with one of our oral surgeons. Factors that go into dental implant treatment that can affect cost include the number of implants you will be receiving and if you will need a bone grafting procedure or an extraction to prepare for your implant placement.
The long-term value of dental implants is undeniable: replacement teeth that allow you to eat the foods you love, appear natural when you talk and smile, and maintain the health of your jaw bone are truly priceless. When you also consider the fact that implants can last decades with proper oral care, the difference is clear between implants and less expensive tooth restorations that must be replaced periodically.
Alternative tooth replacement options, such as dentures or bridges, only sit inside of the mouth and do not fuse to the jaw bone underneath. Because of this, they do not prevent the jaw bone from weakening over time. Dental implants are designed to replicate the appearance and health benefits of a natural tooth, including providing necessary stimulation to the jaw. Your implant is secured in this way and will not be removed during eating, brushing, or throughout the day like removable oral appliances.
Visit our page on How Much Do Dental Implants Cost to learn more or see your options for financing dental implants.
3D Impressions
At The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego we use 3D intraoral scanners to create digital impressions of your teeth. This eliminates the need for traditional molds and allows your surgeon to virtually create the entire treatment plan.
Dental Implant Surgery in San Diego, CA
During your consultation appointment, you will meet with either Dr. Koshgerian or Dr. Shelton, who are both board-certified oral surgeons. They will discuss your surgical goals and design a treatment plan to achieve them. If you’re concerned about pain or experience surgical anxiety, there are many anesthesia options to choose from. Oral surgeons are specially trained to safely administer all forms of anesthesia and sedation. EXPAREL® is also an option, which is a non-opioid alternative to post-surgical pain management.
Once the anesthesia has been administered, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue and place the implant post. Over time, the jaw bone will fuse with the post. When the post and bone have bonded, a connecting abutment is attached. Your restorative dentist will attach the custom-made crown to the abutment, and your dental implant is complete. Any questions you have during recovery can be answered in our post-operative instructions or by calling us at (619) 287-5000.
Learn more about dental implant dentistry in San Diego, CA.
Denture Replacement With Dental Implants
Dentures are typically a quick fix for missing teeth and are less expensive upfront than implants. However, dentures must be replaced every few years and professionally fitted, otherwise they can cause sores or slip in your mouth when speaking. Dentures do not prevent bone loss, and many patients who wear full or partial dentures find them inconvenient.
Dental implants are an investment in your smile and are an ideal replacement for dentures. If you wear full dentures, you may qualify for full-arch restoration, which uses implant posts to support a fixed denture. By replacing your dentures with dental implants, you enjoy a more secure and functional tooth replacement with all the health benefits of implants. Learn more about denture replacement in San Diego, CA, by contacting our office today.
Types of Anesthesia
The right anesthesia will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your level of anxiety.
Hear From Dental Implant Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing dental implant treatment at our office.
Reviews From Our Dental Implant Patients
Nancy
Dental Implant
Patient
"Hi, I'm Nancy, and I'm from San Diego. I came to the Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego to have an extraction and a dental implant. When I first walked into the practice, I was greeted by very friendly people. The staff here is great. Everybody was very helpful, answered all my questions. My doctor was really professional and knowledgeable. My procedure went really well. My recovery was very quick and easy, just as planned. The quality of my life has definitely improved. It feels great to have a beautiful and healthy smile again. I would highly recommend the Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego. They gave me my smile back."
Jimmy
Dental Implant
Patient
"Hi, my name is Jimmy, and I am from Orange County. I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego and got a dental implant. The atmosphere here, when I walked in the door, was very professional and very nice. The staff here was very kind to me, they immediately just sort of put me at ease. Dr. Shelton is very easygoing, he's very relaxed, so it just helped me settle in. I feel great after the procedure, everything went well and, overall, my experience here was great. Out of five stars, I would give The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego five and a half stars."
Norma
Dental Implant
Patient
"Hi, this is Norma and I’m from Chula Vista, California. I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego for a dental implant. When I first walked in here, the atmosphere here was very professional. The doctors and the staff explained everything clearly, so that made me feel at ease. The texts from the practice really prepared me to know what to expect when I came in. The procedure itself went well. I am beyond happy that I got the procedure done here with The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego. Out of five stars, I would give the doctors here five stars."
Greg
Dental Implant
Patient
"My name is Greg, I’m from Potrero, California, and I came to The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego for an extraction and a bone graft. I had a great experience here. When I come to this office, the atmosphere in here is perfect. The staff works seamlessly with the doctor. Everyone here just makes everything better. Once I got to talk with the doctor, I felt really comfortable and have felt that way ever since. The procedures I had were more than successful. I would recommend The Oral Surgery Specialists of San Diego without any hesitation whatsoever. They’re just great."
Hugh
Dental Implant
Patient
"My name is Hugh and I’m from San Diego. I came here to get a dental implant. This practice is very comfortable to be in. The doctors and staff are absolutely friendly. The doctors took great care of me. \[They] called me after the procedure at home to make sure everything was fine. Now that I’ve had the procedure done, I feel excellent. I’ve had a great experience here. I would absolutely recommend the doctors."
Dental Implant FAQs
Are dental implants painful?
Some amount of discomfort can be expected with any surgical procedure. However, many patients report little to no pain post-surgery. We are proud to offer EXPAREL®, a single-use non-opioid option for pain relief. We’re happy to discuss this option with you during your first visit.
Who places a dental implant?
Oral surgeons undergo 4 to 6 years of training beyond dental school. Oral surgeons are also specially trained to administer various forms of anesthesia safely and receive hands-on training in a hospital-based environment. Many general dentists refer patients to oral surgeons for more complex procedures, such as the placement of dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, or jaw surgery.
Can I replace any tooth with a dental implant?
Yes. A dental implant is so versatile that it can be used to replace any tooth. If there is not enough jaw bone to support the implant, a bone graft can be performed to promote the growth of new bone. If you are not a candidate for dental implants, there are other tooth replacement options to consider.
I’m missing several teeth. Should I get dental implants or dentures?
While dentures may cost less upfront, they can require costly upkeep, adjustments, and more dental appointments in the future. Many patients find dentures to be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and they must be cleaned with special rinses and removed during eating. A dental implant, on the other hand, has a high success rate and becomes a permanent part of your smile. Removable dentures need to be replaced as often as every 5 years, while a dental implant can last a lifetime. If you’re missing many teeth in one arch, you may be a candidate for a full-arch restoration. Learn more on our Dental Implants or Dentures? page.
Will I be asleep during the dental implant procedure?
Your choice of anesthesia will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your anxiety level. Some patients are fine with local anesthesia to numb the area and remain awake while the implant post is placed. Others prefer to be completely sedated and wake up when it is over. We offer several anesthesia options to suit your needs and ensure you feel comfortable.
My tooth is decayed or damaged. Can I replace it with an implant?
Yes. A badly damaged or decayed tooth can simply be extracted and replaced with a dental implant, sometimes in the same visit. If the jaw bone in the area of the tooth has deteriorated, a bone graft will be inserted into the socket, and the implant post will be inserted at a later date when there is enough bone to support it.
Find Us in San Diego, CA
We have an office in Coastal San Diego near Pacific Beach and another office in East San Diego near La Mesa, CA. Both of our offices proudly serve the San Diego community.
Coastal Office
East Office
How Can We Help?
If you have questions, would like to learn more about a procedure, or wish to schedule an appointment at The Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists of San Diego, give us a call.