Dental implants represent a significant advancement in dental restoration for individuals missing one or more teeth. As an alternative to dentures or bridges, implants offer a solution with numerous advantages, including superior durability, comfort, and a natural appearance. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration caused by missing tooth roots. Dental implants are a permanent solution that functions and feels like your natural teeth.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium or ceramic posts surgically placed in the jawbone to replace missing roots. Over time, these posts, which resemble screws, fuse with the surrounding bone, a process referred to as osseointegration, providing a stable foundation for dental restorations such as crowns or dental prostheses. These prostheses replace the visible portion of the missing teeth. They are attached to the implants using abutments. Once the prostheses or crowns are attached, the implants and restorations can last 20 years or more. For many patients, they last a lifetime.

The Surgical Procedure at SFSA

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Hoghooghi, Dr. Massoomi, Dr. Sodeifi, or Dr. Stephens will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums, acting as anchors for the artificial teeth. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. During this time, most patients continue with their normal routine.

Types of Dental Implants

There are four types of dental implants places at San Francisco Surgical Arts, including:

• Dental Implant Crown: When crowns are used to restore missing teeth, each crown is attached to an individual dental implant. We place these implants when only one tooth is missing, and the missing teeth are not next to each other.
• Dental Implant Partial Prosthesis: When a partial prosthesis is needed to replace missing teeth, we may place two or three implants to support a fixed bridge that spans multiple adjacent teeth.
• Dental Implant Dentures: To replace an entire arch of upper or lower teeth, our surgeons may place several implants in the jawbone to support a full arch of replacement teeth resembling a denture but lighter and thinner. Depending on the amount of jawbone available, we may place four, six, or more implants.
• Removable Overdenture: In some cases, patients may prefer a removable denture attached to dental implants for enhanced stability. These overdentures snap onto a bar or a ball-and-socket attachment, which is secured to the implants via abutments.

Why Choose San Francisco Surgical Arts?

With over 20 years of experience in oral surgery and dental implant placement, our surgeons have successfully placed hundreds of dental implants. They are attentive to each patient’s needs and confer closely with the restorative dentists to ensure a smooth transition from the implant placement to the final restoration. We utilize the latest guided surgical technology to provide the precise placement of each implant with minimal trauma to surrounding tissues.

Common Dental Implant FAQs

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types of Restorations?

With dental implants, you do not have to sacrifice the integrity of adjacent, healthy teeth. In addition, removing a denture or partial denture at night can be inconvenient, and dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing.

Am I a Candidate For Implants?

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, we can perform bone grafts or a sinus lift to create a better foundation for dental implants in your jawbone.

What Type of Anesthesia is Used?

Most dental implants and bone grafting procedures can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without the use of general anesthesia. We will review your options at your consultation.

Do Implants Need Special Care?

Once the dental implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take proper care of them and maintain good oral health. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.

Are Dental Implants Usually Successful?

Yes! The success rate for dental implants is between 95% and 98% for individuals who follow their post-operative instructions and keep their follow-up appointments.

Will I need to take time off work for implant surgery?

Most patients take 3-4 days off following implant placement to recover at home. You will experience some discomfort and swelling during this time, which typically peaks on day three and then rapidly subsides. Pain-relieving medication and ice packs can keep this under control. By the end of the week, you should feel like your normal self.

If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, please get in touch with us at San Francisco Office Phone Number 415-813-6400.