People lose teeth for several reasons, the most common being due to severe gum disease or a large cavity. Some people never grow certain adult teeth! If you are missing one tooth or several, dental implants offer the most natural and permanent solution to restore you smile. Dental implants can be used as a solution for replacing single or multiple missing teeth and for stabilizing dentures. As a board-certified periodontist in San Diego and having placed hundreds of implants, Dr. Tina Beck of Southern California Periodontics and Implantology, is very skilled and experienced in this procedure.
A dental implant is a small post that can be placed in the upper or lower jaw to serve as a replacement for the root portion of a missing tooth. Because of the biocompatible properties of the titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone to become a solid anchor for the replacement tooth that goes on top of it (called a dental implant restoration or abutment and crown). Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. They can even help secure a denture by providing unparalleled retention and stability, allowing you to talk and chew with confidence.
Dr. Beck recommends dental implants to patients who have loose, missing, or diseased teeth for one main reason—they are the best tooth-replacement option on the market. This advanced solution offers men and women a truly improved life through many benefits, including:
Because dental implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone, they are a permanent tooth-replacement option.
Patients regain their ability to eat and speak as they did when they had all-natural teeth.
Dental implants are the most natural-looking tooth-replacement system available, and they allow patients to smile with confidence once again.
Jawbone stimulation is vital to a healthy mouth. By providing stimulation, patients will be able to maintain their jawbone shape, which keeps their face shape intact as well.
Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth, meaning you will only need to brush and floss twice daily, rinse with antibacterial mouthwash once a day, and visit your general dentist for regular check-ups.
patients can eat anything they want when they choose dental implants. Unlike other tooth-replacement systems, which limit biting and chewing ability, dental implants allow you to eat like you did when you had natural teeth.
Periodontists have received extensive training placing dental implants for patients who suffer from missing teeth. Board-certified periodontists complete 3 rigorous years of full-time education after 4 years of dental school! Dr. Beck also has a master’s degree in biomedical science, and is highly trained in how to critically evaluate medical research, so she can provide the best possible care for her patients. Periodontists are knowledgeable in treating infections of the gum and bone that support the teeth, and are highly trained in how to best eliminate the infection before implants can be placed. Periodontists prepare sites for implant placement to ensure long-term success. In addition, periodontists like Dr. Beck are also trained to monitor implant sites after surgery and identify any conditions that may develop which may compromise the overall success of the dental implant.
As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Beck is also highly-trained in the placement of dental implants. She believes in providing the best care possible, and achieves excellent results for her patients by utilizing effective minimally invasive surgical methods. Additionally, her high standards of surgical safety and cleanliness minimize the risk of infection or disease contraction, keeping you healthy and safe while enhancing your smile at the same time.
Because of her knowledge and impressive reputation, Dr. Beck is highly sought after by patients from all over the country, not just San Diego! It’s not uncommon for patients to travel to San Diego from out-of-state just to be treated by Dr. Beck. Dentists from all over southern California regularly refer their patients to her for the placement of dental implants because she strives to provide consistently beautiful, life-changing results thanks to the high-quality products she uses in the dental implant surgical process. If you have loose, missing, or diseased teeth and are in need of tooth replacement, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Beck.
Consultation and Initial Evaluation
An in-depth examination will determine candidacy and the type of restoration needed.
Extractions and Bone Grafting
In some cases, damaged teeth will be removed to make space for the implant in the jaw, and a bone graft will be placed to make the jaw bone strong enough to support the implant.
Implant Placement
The gum tissue is gently lifted away from the implant location and the dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone.
Osseointegration
Over a period of three months, the surgical site is allowed to heal, and the implant can fuse with surrounding jaw bone tissue.
Abutment and Crown Placement
Once the implant is osseointegrated, the abutment and crown can be attached to the implant and is ready for function.
Candidates for dental implants come in many different forms, as people of all ages experience loose or missing teeth, for a myriad of reasons. Whether you are choosing dental implants to improve your smile, or you need to have a tooth or teeth replaced to restore your chewing function, you can rest assured that Dr. Beck’s experience in dental implant placement will leave you feeling whole again.
While the only way to truly know if you are a good candidate for dental implants is to visit Dr. Beck for an exam and consultation, there are some things you can consider that will help you know how likely you are to qualify for this tooth-replacement option.
After dental implant surgery, the recovery process is fairly simple, as Dr. Beck uses only the latest, most minimally invasive technology available to encourage a speedy recovery. But because general anesthesia will be used during your procedure, you will be released to the care of a trusted friend or family member who can ensure you get safely home. Additionally, Dr. Beck will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions, which will aid in your recovery. Some of the post-operative instructions will include:
If you experience excessive bleeding, swelling, or discomfort at any time, be sure to call Dr. Beck to discuss further steps.
Video: Watch Dr. Beck explain the dental implant healing process.
There are a few things that you need to know when you’re considering the cost of dental implant treatment. First, there’s usually a few different steps, each with its own cost. The dental implant itself is the root replacement. Then there’s the abutment piece which is usually made together with the crown once the implant is healed and ready for the final tooth. Those parts usually have different fees as well, so it’s important to ask about each one of those when you’re considering the total cost of your treatment.
There might also be additional procedures like bone grafting or sinus grafting that are needed to help support your dental implant, which comes at an additional cost. A three dimensional CT scan is necessary to fully evaluate the bone in the area to find out if there are any additional steps that might be required for your particular situation. The surgical cost for the replacement of the dental implant is usually around $2000 to $2500. The abutment and the crown is usually around $2000. So all in all, you are probably starting with around $4500 without any additional procedures. It can go up from there depending on how complex your particular situation is. So it’s important to ask if you need any additional procedures with your dental implant when you’re considering the total cost of your treatment.
While the idea of dental surgery can be scary, have no fear. Most San Diego patients experience very minimal discomfort afterwards and are often surprised by how easily they heal. Many patients choose to have the procedure performed with just numbing the area, although we do offer options for sedation to help make your procedure worry-free. Your comfort is our number one priority and we will do whatever we can to make your experience as painless and easy as possible.
Do you need dental implants in San Diego? Then look no further. Dr. Tina Beck specializes in dental implant surgery. With the help of modern technology, including the use of three-dimensional radiographic imaging on our in-house digital conebeam CT, we are able to minimize potential complications. With this information we are able to select the appropriate size implant for you and discuss any additional procedures which may be required to ensure a successful and safe treatment outcome. We also work closely with your dentist to ensure a beautiful, natural feeling, long lasting tooth replacement solution.
In some cases, a minor bone graft may be required to improve the strength of your jaw and ensure the longevity of your implant.
Ready to schedule your consultation with Dr. Beck? Have additional questions? Call our office in San Diego at (858) 635-6700! We’d more than happy to assist you with whatever you need.
As a highly-trained and skilled periodontist, Dr. Beck is highly sought after by patients who are suffering from their oral health. Whether you have been told you have periodontal disease, or you have loose or missing teeth that need to be replaced with dental implants, you can trust Dr. Beck and the Southern California Periodontics and Implantology team to support you every step of the way, and make sure you get the high-quality care you deserve. Call her office today to schedule your first appointment!
Dr. Tina Beck is a board-certified periodontist who provides high-quality oral health care and compassion to patients in the San Diego area, including Poway and Rancho Santa Fe. Her exceptional skill and experience have made her a leader in the field of periodontics. She specializes in dental implant placement, treatment of periodontal disease, and she has been internationally recognized for her extensive research on bone grafting.
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