For patients in San Diego, dental implants have become the gold standard due to their consistency and stability.
They don't just sit on top of your gums, they actually become part of your jaw. At San Diego Dental Center, Dr. Adams and our team use these permanent teeth to help you eat what you want and speak clearly again. More importantly, they help preserve facial structure so you don't deal with that "sunken" look that often comes with missing teeth.
A dental implant is essentially a tiny, medical-grade titanium post that acts as a new tooth root.
This post is placed into the jawbone by a restorative dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, where your bone actually grows around it. Over a few months, this bone growth locks the post in place, making it just as sturdy as natural teeth. Once it's solid, we top it with an abutment and a custom crown, giving you a new tooth that looks and feels exactly like the ones you were born with.
Leaving a gap in your smile does more than just change how you look; it actually starts a "domino effect" under your gum tissue. When a root is gone, your upper jaw or lower jaw stops getting the exercise it needs to stay strong.
Dental implants offer a huge upgrade over older methods because they fix the actual problem—the missing tooth root. These benefits are all about keeping your bone structure healthy and your smile feeling natural.
Implants are a permanent way to restore your smile. Because the titanium post acts like a real root, it keeps your bone structure strong and prevents that aged look that comes with missing teeth. While the initial consultation and surgical procedure take a bit more time upfront, you end up with a replacement tooth that stays in your mouth. You don't have to worry about messy glue or removing them at night.
Traditional dentures and other tooth replacement options like bridges can be done quickly, but they often come with drawbacks. Since they sit on top of your gum tissue rather than anchoring into the bone, they can't prevent bone resorption. Over time, traditional dentures often need adjustment or replacement because your facial structure continues to change as bone loss progresses.
There are several ways we can use implant dentistry to get your smile back to its best. Depending on your bone structure and medical history, we’ll choose the specific style that fits your anatomy.
This is the most common type of dental implant used today. These implants are shaped like small screws or cylinders and are placed directly into your jawbone. They act as a sturdy foundation for artificial teeth and are usually the first choice for patients with healthy natural bone.
For patients who have a "shallow" upper jaw or lower jaw, a subperiosteal implant might be a better fit. Instead of being tucked into the bone, these are placed under the gum tissue but sit right on top of the jawbone. This is a great alternative if you want to avoid bone grafting but don't quite have the bone density for a standard screw-in post.
If you are missing several teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge can fill that space without needing a separate titanium post for every single tooth. Unlike a traditional bridge that "hangs" on your healthy remaining teeth, this version anchors only to implants. This protects your natural teeth from extra wear and helps preserve facial structure by keeping the jawbone active.
As the name suggests, these are much smaller than traditional implants—usually about half the width. We often use them to provide extra stability for lower jaw dentures. They are generally less expensive, and because the surgical procedure is less involved, we can often place them in just one visit.
If you're missing a whole row of teeth, we recommend implant-supported dentures. This is a much more stable version of the old "floating" dentures. This process, sometimes called a full mouth dental implants procedure, usually uses four to six implants to "snap" your teeth into place. It gives you the full look of a denture with the solid feel of an implant, so you never have to worry about your teeth moving during a meal. In some cases, implant-supported bridges can replace several teeth in a row without needing an individual implant for every single new tooth.
Most people are great candidates for dental implants, but it all comes down to your bone and your overall health.
You need enough bone structure to hold the titanium post, but if your bone is a little thin, we can often use bone grafting to fix it. This might involve a natural bone graft, a synthetic bone graft, or a bone substitute to help your body form new bone before implant surgery. It’s also important that your mouth is free of gum disease, as healthy gum tissue is needed to support the surgical site's healing. We’ll review your medical history and goals during an initial consultation to develop a treatment plan tailored to you.
Not sure why type of implant is right for you? Dr. Feinberg is a La Mesa dental implant specialists who will help determine what is best for you and your specific needs. Learning about your options will help you decide what is best for your unique situation.
The entire process happens in stages to give your body time to heal.
Before treatment begins, we use advanced technology to determine exactly where everything needs to go and to check whether you need a tooth extraction first. During the dental implant surgery, the post is tucked into the jawbone while you’re under local anesthesia. We also offer sedation options, like nitrous oxide, so you can feel completely relaxed.
After the implant placement, you’ll wait a few months for the bone to fuse with the titanium. During this time, you can usually wear a temporary denture or bridge so you aren't without teeth. Once everything is solid, Dr. Adams will attach your custom crown. This careful timing ensures your prosthetic tooth is strong enough to handle everything you eat.
“I went to Dr. Feinberg for dental implants because I was embarrassed about my two missing teeth. I was always trying to hold back laughter and refrain from smiling. I now have the best dental implants and I can laugh and smile again. You can’t even tell I have them!”
Most people find that recovery is much easier than they expected. You’ll be ready to return to your normal routine in just 24 to 48 hours. While you might have some minor bleeding or swelling at the surgical site, it’s usually easy to manage with basic over-the-counter medicine. We’ll give you simple instructions to help the healing process go smoothly, like sticking to soft foods for a few days. It’s just important to be gentle while that new bone growth is happening.
The goal is to do this once and have it last. With the right care, the titanium post is meant to stay with you for the rest of your life. It might need a refresh after 10 or 15 years—just like a normal crown would—but the foundation stays put. Keeping up with professional cleanings and brushing at home is the best way to prevent implant failure and keep your gum tissue healthy.
Every mouth is different, so the costs of dental implants depend on what you specifically need. The price changes based on how many implants you need, the type of final restoration we use, and if you need a bone graft first. While they cost more upfront than dentures, they are often cheaper in the long run because you aren't constantly paying for replacements. We work with many insurance providers and can help you figure out your dental insurance or set up easy monthly payments through CareCredit or Cherry.
Choosing an implant dentist in San Diego is a big decision. Our practice uses 3D imaging to plan your surgical procedure with perfect accuracy, making sure the implant placement is exactly where it needs to be for long-term success. Dr. Adams and our team follow the safety rules of the American Dental Association, so you know you’re in good hands. We’re here to make the entire process simple, clear, and comfortable from start to finish.
No. Unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent part of your smile and stay in your mouth 24/7.
Most patients tell us it’s much easier than they thought. Thanks to local anesthesia and sedation options, you shouldn't feel pain during the implant surgery. Any soreness afterward is usually gone in a few days.
You can if you want to! While local anesthesia works great, we also offer nitrous oxide or IV sedation if you’d rather be "out" or just very relaxed during the surgical procedure.
Stick to soft foods for the first week. Protein shakes, yogurt, and mashed potatoes are perfect. Just avoid anything crunchy or spicy that might bother the surgical site while it's healing.
It depends on your goals. We might use one implant for a single tooth, or four to six implants for a full arch restoration. We’ll give you a clear answer during your initial consultation.
The first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment.
Please contact our office by phone or complete the appointment request form. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you to confirm your appointment.
Call us Today (619) 462-8550
San Diego Dental Center proudly serves patients from La Mesa, La Jolla, El Cajon & the entire San Diego, CA area.
Office Hours
Monday: 9am - 4pm
Tuesday: 8am - 4pm
Wednesday: 8am - 4pm
Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
