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Dental Implants

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Dr. Jeff Gray – La Mesa

Eat, feel and live better with dental implants

Can you imagine if you were to lose any other part of your body, being able to replace it so comfortably and effectively that no one could discern the difference while you had full and confident use of the restored area?

Recent advancements in Dental Implant technology based on decades of use do just that and are truly a breakthrough for your comfort, your health and your smile. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can dramatically improve your health, self-esteem and quality
of life.

  • Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
  • Implant Dentistry FAQs

    • WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

    Dental implants provide a permanent solution for replacing a single tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth. They are among the most successful dental treatment options available and we offer them at our San Diego dentist office in La Mesa.

    Dental Implants are manufactured biocompatible root replacements for missing teeth. Decades of research and testing have gone into creating the types and sizes of dental implants Dr. Gray will help choose for you at his La Mesa dentist office. Tooth implants replace the natural tooth root, and can be used in either the upper or lower jaws.

    Dental implants are made of titanium or other materials that are well-suited for use in the body. The dental implant is attached to the jawbone and gum tissue to create a stable base for one or more custom artificial replacement teeth or dental crowns. The replacement tooth will look and feel natural. A full denture or fixed bridge can also be anchored for better stability and comfort.

    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IMPLANT DENTISTRY?

    Dental implants are part of an exciting tooth replacement option. You can enjoy many benefits when you decide to anchor your new teeth to these replacement tooth roots. Implant dentistry offers you a:

  • Strong, Durable and Natural in Appearance – Dental implants offer the same biting force as a natural tooth, because the implant is anchored in the bone. Smile, speak and eat with confidence with teeth that are natural in appearance and function.
  • High Success Rate – With decades of research, the overall success rate for dental implants is around 95%. Implants are often the best treatment options for replacing missing teeth.
  • Permanent Solution – Dentures and bridges may require replacement. With proper dental hygiene, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
  • Easily Maintained – Implants are cared for in the same manner as natural teeth, with brushing, flossing and routine dental exams. Implants that anchor dentures or bridges allow for removal and cleaning, and then easy replacement.
  • Preserves Healthy Teeth – Healthy adjacent teeth aren’t harmed or affected since neighboring teeth are not used for support (as they are for bridges).
  • Comfortable Way to Anchor Denture or Bridge – Implant dentistry can securely anchor a removable denture or bridge, increasing comfort and function.

    • WHY REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

    Missing teeth may affect the way the jaw closes, which can cause bite and jaw joint problems (like TMJ), causing pain and discomfort. Patients with missing teeth often complain of headaches, difficulty in eating, and embarrassment in social and professional settings.

    Missing teeth or loose dentures may keep you from enjoying the foods you love and from feeling comfortable dining with others. People who are able to eat and chew a normal range of foods have been shown to live an average of 10 years longer.

    The remaining teeth begin to tilt and drift into gaps created by missing teeth, endangering those teeth as bone support is lost or compromised. Food can become trapped in open spaces, increasing the risk of decay.
    Over time, the jawbone in the area of the missing teeth begins to recede. This can cause changes in the shape of your face and premature aging as your cheeks collapse into the missing spaces.

    Dental implants can actually stimulate bone growth and preserve your facial structure. The more bone you have, the stronger your dental implants and the rest of your teeth will be. Bone loss may limit the types of dental restoration that might be possible to restore your chewing ability, your comfort, and your smile. So it is best not to wait!

    HOW IS THE DENTAL IMPLANT PLACED?

    After meeting with Dr. Jeff Gray or Dr. Greg Hurtado in La Mesa to determine if you are a good candidate, the doctor will carefully position the implant in the jawbone, duplicating the stability and strength the natural tooth root would provide.

    Over a few months the implant will fuse with the jawbone. Then our on-site Master Ceramist, Mike Milner, will create the replacement tooth or crown. Your new tooth is then placed on top of the implant, replicating the beauty and functionality of your natural tooth.

     

    Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

    Dental teeth implants are usually an ideal option for our San Diego patients who are in good general oral health but have lost a tooth or teeth due to disease or injury. Teeth implants allow an entirely new set of options for restoring your health, your smile and your confidence.

    The cost for dental implants is now more affordable than ever, and Dr Gray can also help with payment plans and no interest financing to fit almost any budget for those needing tooth replacement.

    Here are some additional factors to evaluate if you are considering a tooth implant:

  • Age – Teeth implants are an excellent solution regardless of age – whether you are young, middle-aged, or a senior. We have placed teeth implants for our patients from the ages of 20 to 78. Dental implants are usually postponed in children until their jawbones are mature. However, there are some instances when a tooth implant may be appropriate, such as when it is part of a child’s orthodontic treatment.
  • Health – If your health allows for routine dental treatment, you can probably have a tooth implant placed, as long as there is adequate bone structure. New techniques are also available to add bone tissue to an area, allowing us to place teeth implants.
  • Periodontal (Gum) Disease – Almost all teeth implants placed in patients who have lost their teeth to periodontal disease or decay have been successful. This tends to be the most common reason people lose their teeth. Replacing teeth in this way is one of the best uses for a tooth implant as it will not decay. This procedure also means that many patients do not experience bone loss due to gum disease.
  • Dentures – If you have a removable denture but would like greater stability and better functionality, teeth implants can be used to secure and stabilize the denture, making it much more comfortable. If you have unsightly silver clasps showing, an implant-supported partial denture may even eliminate the need for the clasps, which can dramatically improve your smile and confidence.
  • Smoking – Although smoking lowers the success rate, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of getting a tooth implant.
  • Dental Hygiene – Teeth implants are highly successful and easy to maintain with normal daily dental care, including brushing and cleaning each tooth implant. It is also important to continue your routine dental cleanings, so Dr. Gray can monitor the health of not only your implants but the other teeth also.

    • Other Uses of Dental Implants

    If you currently have a fixed bridge or removable dentures, dental implants can also be very effective in anchoring these devices, making them secure and comfortable.

    If you would like to learn more about how dental implants can make your dentures incredibly secure, you can learn more on our Implant Supported Dentures page.

     

    IMPLANT DENTISTRY FAQS

    Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Tooth Implants?

    If you are missing teeth and are in good general health, you may be a candidate for dental tooth implants. Having healthy gums and adequate bone to support the tooth implants improves your success rate for dental implants surgery. It also helps if you are free of chronic disease or systemic problems and are a non-smoker.
    You should realize that regular home care (brushing and flossing) are still needed to care for your tooth implants, and you will want to maintain regular dental check-ups. Dr. Gray can help determine your eligibility for the implant dentistry procedure.

    What If I Choose Not to Replace My Lost Teeth?

    Missing teeth affect the way the jaw closes and may cause bite and jaw joint problems (like TMJ). The remaining teeth begin to tilt and drift into the gaps.
    It can become difficult to eat and chew food. Food can become trapped in the spaces, increasing the risk of decay. Over time, the jawbone will disintegrate, making dental restoration difficult or impossible. When teeth are missing, the shape of the face is altered.

    Missing teeth affect confidence and well-being, potentially interfering with social and professional opportunities.

    Are Tooth Implants Expensive?

    Dental tooth implants can involve a significant investment; however their fees are within the reach of most patients. Your cost will be determined by a number of factors involving your bone level and the type of restoration you choose to restore your mouth.
    Unlike most dental crowns, bridges, or fillings that would probably need to be replaced at least once, dental tooth implants can last a lifetime with proper dental hygiene and may actually result in a significant savings over a lifetime to our patients.

    Patients who have completed the process indicate that the improvement in their life and health was well worth the investment and that they would do it again. Dr. Gray’s San Diego dentist office in La Mesa can provide you with a variety of payment and financing options.

    Will My Insurance Cover Implant Dentistry?

    You will need to verify your individual insurance benefits because there is great variation in coverage between dental plans. Portions of the implant dentistry procedure may be covered, but it is likely that the tooth implant itself will not be a covered benefit.
    While you are at your complimentary implant dentistry consultation appointment at Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa, we can provide you with a variety of payment options to help you fit your new smile into your budget.

    Is the Implant Dentistry Procedure Painful?

    As with any surgical procedure, there can be some minor discomfort with implant dentistry. Local anesthesia and even sedation can be used during the procedure to keep you very comfortable.
    The vast majority of patients report that they have minimal discomfort the day after the tooth implants are placed and most are amazed that they feel so normal.

    Dr. Gray may prescribe pain medication for use following the implant dentistry procedure, and he encourages patients to stay in contact should they become uncomfortable afterwards.

    Will I Have to Miss Work to Get Dental Tooth Implants?

    Most people are able to comfortably return to work the day after receiving dental tooth implants, and many people return the same day. The new advanced implant dentistry techniques used by Dr Gray are often non-surgical, so many patients do not even require sutures.

    How Long Does the Implant Dentistry Treatment Take?

    For the placement of most tooth implants, the office appointment time is under 2 hours. Implants normally take just 6 weeks to integrate or “connect” to the bone, at which time we can restore your new teeth in another appointment.

    Will I Have to Go Without My Dentures or Teeth During the Process?

    In most cases, no, especially if it is a front tooth. You will leave being able to smile comfortably. Dr Gray will discuss this with you, and the entire process will be planned to have the least amount of interruption or inconvenience to your life.

    What Is the Implant Dentistry Success Rate?

    Dental tooth implants are among the most successful dental procedures performed. While there is no guarantee that an implant dentistry procedure will be successful, recent studies have shown the success rate near 95%.
    Tooth implants have been used for several decades. When properly cared for by the patient through brushing, flossing, and regular dental exams, they can last a lifetime.

    Damaged or Missing Teeth? Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation in La Mesa Today!

    If you are have lost confidence interacting with others or have difficulty biting or chewing due to damaged or missing teeth, fret no more. Our practice has helped hundreds of patients with tooth replacement using dental implant surgery.

    Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jeff Gray or Dr. Greg Hurtado at our San Diego Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry office by calling 619-821-0034.

    Our dentists will answer your questions, help determine your needs, and suggest the best solution for your oral health. Serving the San Diego, La Mesa, and El Cajon areas.

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    • New Patient Offers

    Free Sedation and Cozy Blanket

    ($390 value)

    Free 3D Scan and Consultation for Dental Implants

    ($425 value)