Dental Implants in Daly City, San Francisco & Bay Area

The Benefits of Dental Implants | Surgical Advances | Dental Implant FAQ

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Educated at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Dela Rosa is one of the top implant dentists in the Bay Area with a staff that offers the highest level of care and attention to individual needs.

What Are Dental Implants?

A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.

Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

Surgical Advances

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Dela Rosa can place single-stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth extraction – further minimizing your number of surgical procedures.

Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist.  Dr. Dela Rosa performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary.  The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

Dental Implants for Health

In addition to the aesthetic and lifestyle benefits that dental implants offer, they also provide multiple health benefits. Dental implants give patients the ability to eat a wide, varied, fibrous diet, which is great for overall health. Dental implants also provide regular stimulation of the jawbone, which is necessary to avoid bone resorption and its associated negative effects.

Dental Implants Cost

Dental implants may seem more expensive than dentures and bridges, but when you take into consideration their longevity, which outlasts dentures and bridges by decades, the gap in cost closes considerably, making dental implants very affordable for most people. Call Archstone Oral and Facial Surgery today to find out more about paying for dental implants.

The Dental Implants Process

First, we will see you for a consultation in our office and gather the necessary health information and imaging to determine the specifics of your case. Dental implant surgery itself takes between 1 and 4 hours, during which time you will be comfortable and asleep (if you wish). Following implant surgery, the site is left alone to heal for several months while osseointegration does its magic. Then, an abutment is attached to the implant, and finally, you will return to your general dentist for a crown restoration.

Dental Implants FAQ:

Dental implants are the only permanent option for replacing one or more missing teeth. They are an alternative to partial plates, bridges, and dentures and offer several advantages. If you have questions or concerns about dental implants, you can find most of the answers you’re looking for here.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. The implants are titanium posts placed in the jawbone where the missing teeth’s roots used to be. Once the implants are in place and have healed (usually 3-6 months), they have permanently fused to the jawbone, providing a permanent base for new, replacement teeth that look and function just like natural teeth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

There are pros and cons to getting any oral surgery or replacement teeth, but the pros of implants outweigh the cons. More people choose dental implants every year for several reasons. If you’re considering dental implants, consider these facts:

• Implants are permanent, so you’ll never have to repeat the surgery
• If a crown wears out, it is easy to replace on the implant
• Implants look and feel like natural teeth
• A single tooth implant can be done without damaging the adjoining, healthy teeth
• Regular brushing and flossing are the only care needed to keep your implants healthy
• No need to worry about dentures or plates that slip, click, or affect your speech
• Dental implants prevent deterioration of the jawbone, which happens when there are empty sockets where the roots of your teeth used to be.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

If you are in good health and have sufficient jawbone to support the implants, you are a candidate for dental implants. For most people, they are a welcome alternative to missing teeth and superior to other options such as dentures or dental bridges. While age has no bearing on whether you can get implants, the longer your natural teeth have been missing, the more complex the implant procedure is likely to be due to gradual bone loss. Fortunately, Dr. Dela Rosa is experienced in performing bone grafts to build up the jawline and ridge so it can accommodate implants.

Some people aren’t good candidates for dental implants due to underlying health issues that can affect healing. These include anyone with uncontrolled diabetes, specific heart problems, and immune disorders such as Lupus. Smoking also impacts the healing process by depriving healthy bones and tissue of oxygen. The dental implant failure rate is higher for patients who smoke.

Will I have to wait until the jawbone heals to get my crowns?

Many people worry that they will have to wait for months to restore their appearance if they have dental implants. While healing time is required before permanent crowns (the porcelain replacement teeth) are attached to your implants, we don’t send you out into the world with gaps in your teeth. We put temporary crowns to preserve your smile and protect the area during the healing process. Once the site heals, your permanent, custom-crafted crowns are attached.

Is dental implant surgery painful?

No, the surgery is done under either a local anesthetic or IV anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the complexities of your procedure. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you will feel mild pressure. Dr. Dela Rosa will discuss your options and advise you on which type of sedation or anesthesia is most appropriate.

After implant surgery, you’ll have some discomfort and swelling for a few days. These can be controlled with mild pain relievers and ice packs. Most patients are surprised by how minimal the pain is and how quickly it goes away.

Can my regular dentist perform my dental implant surgery?

In most cases, no. A dentist can design and craft permanent crowns, but most dentists are not oral surgeons and are not qualified to do this complex procedure. Oral surgeons specialize in oral surgery, including implants. They have additional schooling and training in surgical techniques and working with the jawbone.

Who performs dental implant surgery at Archstone Oral Surgery?

Dr. Dela Rosa is a Harvard-educated oral surgeon who has performed the implant procedure hundreds of times with exceptional results. He will work closely with your dentist to ensure your treatment is as seamless as possible. Dr. Dela Rosa is a licensed dentist and medical doctor and prioritizes continuing education to improve his skills and offer every patient exceptional care using advanced techniques. He strives to ensure your comfort and minimize any anxiety you may have before and after dental implant surgery.

Are implants hard to care for?

With permanent crowns in place, your new teeth can be cared for as easily as you care for your natural teeth. Simply brush with a soft-bristle brush and floss daily. We also advise a twice-yearly dental checkup and professional cleaning. While your gums are healing, you will need to be a bit gentler with the temporary crowns, but these generally handle light brushing and rinses with warm saltwater quite well.

Are dental implants expensive?

The cost of dental implants varies depending on how many implants are needed, the condition of your jawbone, whether bone grafts are required, how many teeth are replaced, and the location of the missing teeth. You can learn more about the cost of dental implants and how we can help by scheduling an appointment for an initial consultation. Please call our office at Archstone Oral and Facial Surgery Office Phone Number (415) 963-4121 to schedule your consultation today.

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