Dental trauma or tooth decay can result in missing teeth, which impacts the function and beautiful aesthetics of your smile. At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, our focus is on restoring both the beauty and functionality of your teeth. We provide custom dental implants to replace missing teeth, giving you a natural, healthy smile. Your needs are our priority, and we ensure that the procedure meets your oral health, time frame, and budget expectations.
Schedule a ConsultationA healthy jaw requires regular stimulation, which is normally provided by the roots of your teeth. Prolonged periods of missing teeth causes the jaw bone to deteriorate — in a process called resorption — and leads to a thinning of the jawline common among long-time denture wearers.
This condition also contributes to additional loss of teeth and can be avoided by replacing the missing tooth root(s) with dental implants.
The structural weakening of the jawline can impair your ability and comfort when it comes to chewing and swallowing. Dental implants act like natural teeth, and the majority of people find that they don’t have to alter their diets or eating habits because of their implants.
After receiving dental implants, patients can enjoy restored function and resume eating their favorite foods.
Unlike other cosmetic corrections for missing teeth, dental implants provide a long-lasting smile correction. The implant crowns are crafted from highly durable products that aren’t prone to chipping or discoloration.
Unlike bridges and traditional dentures, dental implants behave like natural teeth, and with proper care, can be a permanent solution to tooth loss.
To get the most out of your dental implant procedure, it’s important that your dental provider is qualified, experienced, and attentive. You can count on Dr. Kohani to listen carefully to your concerns and explain your options thoroughly to create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs and goals.
A big part of the consultation is to determine if dental implants are the best course of treatment for you. At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, our office is equipped with advanced 3D imaging technology, which allows Dr. Kohani to clearly assess your candidacy for implant placement and plan the most effective technique if you are eligible.
The implant consists of a titanium screw that is inserted into the jaw bone through a small incision, and a temporary covering is put in place. Local anesthesia is used to ensure your comfort during the procedure. You will have to wait anywhere from two to four months before the permanent crown can be attached. This time allows the implant site to heal and the implant itself to fuse with the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration.
Osseointegration is a healing process in which your bone grows around the titanium implant, fusing them together for a secure hold. This process begins after the implants are placed and can be prolonged by several factors: smoking, prior medical conditions, or unhealthy oral hygiene.
Your custom-made crown(s) are placed on the implant(s) once the area has fully healed. The crowns we create are made of a durable ceramic capable of sustaining high pressure; additionally, the crowns are of similar shape and color to your surrounding teeth to preserve the natural aesthetic of your smile. The crown is secured to the connecting piece and cemented into place.
After having your custom crown(s) attached to the implants, the result is an artificial tooth or teeth that function(s) exactly as a natural tooth would; the ceramic crown can even be stained to match your enamel’s natural coloring. You can speak, chew and eat just as you would with natural teeth and practice regular oral hygiene without having to remove any dental hardware.
If your gums or jawbone has been compromised due to periodontitis or resorption, you will need supportive services to strengthen them enough to receive the implants. This enhancement is most often done with guided tissue regeneration or a soft tissue graft, both of which help regenerate bone and tissue.
Another way dental implants can improve the function and beauty of your smile is with implant-supported dentures. If you are missing most or all of your teeth, implant-supported dentures can replace them and restore your bite. This multi-tooth replacement option is superior to traditional dentures as implant-supported dentures provide reliable stability with no need for adhesives and can be cared for much like your natural teeth were.
The precise cost of dental implants varies according to individual needs and the extent of correction required. The price can also be affected if other dental work is needed or multiple teeth need to be replaced. Some insurance companies may cover a portion of the expense. Dr. Kohani will be happy to provide you with a detailed price quote during your consultation.
Following the placement of your dental implants, you will be on a soft food or liquid diet for several days. While the full osseointegration process usually takes from two to four months, this time can be significantly extended if you smoke or have unhealthy oral hygiene habits. When your dental crowns are attached to the implants, you should be able to return to work and other normal activities immediately after your appointment.
An anesthetic is used during the procedure to minimize surgical pain. Afterward, you may experience some discomfort, such as bruising of the gums, pain at the implant site, and minor bleeding. This pain can be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.
Maintaining your smile after receiving dental implants depends on the quality of your dental hygiene habits. Maintaining a consistent, healthy oral hygiene regimen can help to improve the health of your original and replacement teeth. While dental implants are highly durable, you can care for your results and oral health by doing the following:
Definitely the Best San Diego dentist I have ever had! A friend referred me to Dr. Kohani. In the past I have not had good experiences with other dentists. As soon as I met Dr. Kohani, I felt very comfortable. He is a very knowledgeable and caring doctor and his staff is amazing. I am currently doing Invisalign with Dr. Kohani. Every time I go to his office it is a very pleasant experience. Dr. Kohani and his staff are always so warm and welcoming. If you are looking for a good, caring, and honest dentist I recommend Dr. Kohani! A. Rodriquez
I have gone to Dr. Kohani a few times now and have had nothing but great experiences. I was impressed with the friendly staff that is welcoming and organized. We all know these visits aren’t necessarily ones we look forward to, but Dr. Kohani makes this experience quite pleasant. He’s a very nice man and phenomenal dentist. I will definitely be returning! O. LaJeunesse
He is an extremely dedicated dentist who is committed to his patients. Dr. Kohani is warm, caring and understanding. I have referred my family and friends to him, who also think he is an amazing dentist and passionate about his practice. You can feel confident with Dr. Kohani and know he will give you the best results possible. Jodi B.
Dental implants are considered to be permanent, and unless any complications arise, they may not need to be replaced.
Dental implants can be a solution for any patient that is suffering from the loss of adult teeth. You can get dental implants at virtually any age with the recommendation of your dentist.
Dental implants require a multi-step process.From the beginning of the process to the final stage, dental implants can sometimes take up to nine months, depending on the condition of your gums and jawbone, as well as any treatment required before the implants are placed. Healing time may also vary based on your health and any habits that impact your oral health and the expediency of your appointments.
Yes. After completing the healing process, most patients are not only able to eat normally but can do so with much more ease than before. If pressure is put on the implants before the healing process has finished, there may be some soreness, and it may prolong the healing time. You can prevent this by following Dr. Kohani’s instructions.
The titanium that dental implants is made with are very biocompatible, so they should not cause issues unless you have a titanium allergy.
In many cases, Dr. Kohani can implement a pre-treatment tissue and bone grafting procedure to return your jaw to a healthy enough state to receive dental implants.
Yes, Dr. Kohani will color-match your implant crown to your existing healthy teeth. If you want a brighter smile, you can have your natural teeth whitened prior to choosing the new crown’s color, as restorations cannot be whitened later.
Fixed bridges and dentures only replace the visible portion of the tooth (crowns), while dental implants replace both the crown and root. Because tooth roots maintain the density of the jaw through chewing, replacing the root is essential to prevent resorption. This condition leads to the loss of your natural jaw contour and a prematurely aged appearance.
After the placement of the implant, a temporary tooth may be worn over the implant until the final crown is attached. However, you will be instructed not to chew heavily with the temporary crown as this may prolong your healing time.
Depending on the number of missing teeth, you can choose from implant-supported dentures to replace complete arches of teeth or individual dental implants to replace each tooth. Individual implants are used to replace up to twelve teeth each in the upper and lower jaw and provide you with a completely new set of teeth that are as stable as your previously healthy teeth were. This whole process takes about 16 weeks, and it is recommended that you replace both the upper and lower jaw at the same time to reduce the cost and number of appointments. Replacement with implant-supported dentures takes less time, and while it doesn’t offer the same natural feel as individual implants would, they are a far better option than adhesive-based dentures. Either way, your mouth will heal, and function will be restored, resulting in the smile of your dreams.
