Dental Implants San Diego
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, providing a permanent solution that looks and functions like natural teeth. A titanium implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone to create a stable foundation. Once healed, a custom crown is attached to complete the restoration. Implants can replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or even support full dentures for a secure, comfortable fit.
Implant Questions
Dental Implant Questions We Hear Every Week
The questions below come up in nearly every implant consultation. If yours isn't here, the full dental FAQ covers 45 more.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
More than you would expect. The jawbone that used to hold the root has nothing to do, so it begins to shrink — roughly 25% of its width in the first year alone. The teeth on either side of the gap start to drift and tip into the space, and the tooth above or below it can drift down out of position. That changes how your bite meets, which can put uneven pressure on other teeth and on the jaw joint. Replacing the tooth sooner keeps the bone and the surrounding teeth where they are, and it usually means a simpler, less expensive procedure than waiting does.
Can I get a dental implant if I smoke?
Yes, but you should know the odds going in. Smoking restricts blood flow to the gums and bone, which is exactly what implant healing depends on, and it measurably raises the risk of the implant failing to fuse. That does not make you ineligible — plenty of smokers have successful implants. It does mean we will talk honestly about the risk, and we will ask you to stop for about a week before surgery and for at least two months afterward while the bone is fusing. Patients who manage that window have outcomes close to non-smokers.
Will my implant look different from my natural teeth?
It shouldn't. The crown on top of an implant is shade-matched to the teeth on either side of it, and porcelain picks up and reflects light much the way enamel does. The part that separates a good result from an obvious one is usually the gumline, not the tooth — the crown has to emerge from the gum at the right contour so there's no dark triangle or visible metal edge. That is a placement and design question, which is why implant position is planned on a 3D scan before anything is placed rather than judged by eye during surgery.
How do I clean and care for a dental implant?
Brush and floss it like a natural tooth, twice a day. The implant itself cannot decay, but the gum and bone around it absolutely can become inflamed — a condition called peri-implantitis, and it is the single most common reason implants fail years after placement. Plaque at the gumline is what drives it. Most patients do well with a soft brush, floss or a water flosser around the implant, and their normal cleaning schedule. We check the tissue around every implant at your regular visits, because inflammation there is far easier to reverse early than late.
Can a dental implant fail, and what happens if it does?
Implants succeed well over 95% of the time, but nothing in dentistry is 100%. Early failure means the post never fully fused with the bone, and it usually shows up within the first few months — the implant feels loose or uncomfortable. Late failure is almost always gum and bone inflammation from plaque, or extreme bite forces from grinding. If an implant does fail, it is removed, the site is allowed to heal and often grafted to rebuild bone, and a replacement can usually be placed after a few months. It is a setback rather than a dead end.
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Precision Technology
Digital dentistry and advanced equipment for microscopic accuracy and superior results.
Master Craftsmen
Artisan dentists who combine technical precision with aesthetic excellence.
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Meticulously crafted treatment plans designed with your unique anatomy and goals in mind.
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Sophisticated, calming environment where precision meets comfort.
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