Dental Implants Encinitas

Complex Case? We’re Here for You!

With extensive experience gained in hospitals, the military, and specialized training, even for complex cases, Dr. Christopher Henninger has the tools and training to help you restore your smile. So even if other dentists have turned you down, chances are we can help you! We’re committed to getting to know you, your situation, and your challenges so that we can help you become healthier, happier, and have the confidence to go out and enjoy life again.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a permanent replacement option for lost, extracted, or broken teeth. They are custom-fit to blend with the rest of your natural teeth, restoring functionality and esthetics to your smile. The process begins with placing the dental implant into the jawbone. From there, your body will naturally form a secure bond with the implant through a process called osseointegration. After a brief healing period, your smile will be restored and ready to show off to the world.

The Cost of Dental Implants

No two dental implant treatments are exactly alike, so the number of appointments, procedures, and costs of dental implants will vary from patient to patient. With that said, the cost of dental implants is favorable when compared to other tooth replacement options. This is because implants can last significantly longer — even a lifetime — with proper care.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

At Encinitas Dental Art, we understand that the foundation of a beautiful smile and optimal oral health lies within the strength and stability of the jawbone. That’s why we offer bone grafting for dental implants and more. This pivotal procedure is aimed at restoring your bone density following tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma, and maintaining bone structure after tooth extraction.

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Bone Grafting & Dental Implants

Bone grafting, or site preservation, is more than just a procedure; it’s a commitment to ensuring the longevity and functionality of your dental health. Following tooth loss or extraction, the jawbone can begin to atrophy or shrink, not only affecting your oral health but also altering your facial structure and appearance. This can lead to a prematurely aged look, with the skin and muscles of the face lacking the necessary support from the underlying bone.

For those considering dental implants, bone grafting offers the dual benefit of preserving the bone density indefinitely, ensuring that your replacement teeth not only function like natural teeth but also appear as natural as possible. Even if you opt for alternative dental prosthetics, such as bridges, bone grafting helps maintain more of your natural bone structure over time.

The Bone Grafting Process

Our approach to bone grafting at Encinitas Dental Art is rooted in precision, care, and the use of state-of-the-art materials. The process typically begins with the removal of any damaged teeth, followed by the preparation of the bone grafting site. We utilize demineralized, sterile human bone granules, resembling coarse sand, which are carefully packed into the tooth socket. This material acts as a framework into which your cells can migrate, begin the rebuilding process, and eventually, transform the graft material into your own functioning bone.

To protect the graft and encourage healing, a protective collagen membrane is placed over the granules, and the site is closed with stitches. This procedure is designed to be minimally invasive, often not extending the recovery time beyond that of a standard tooth extraction.

Healing and Results

The healing process is a critical phase where your body’s natural healing mechanisms work to integrate the graft material into the surrounding bone structure. Over several weeks to months, the graft material will be remodeled into functional bone, preserving the bone height and providing a stable foundation for future restorative procedures.

Dental Implant Post-Op Care

The easiest way to avoid infection and dental implant failure is to keep your mouth clean. This means cleaning your smile thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after your procedure. At Encinitas Dental Art, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains non-abrasive ingredients to ensure that you don’t damage the implant or irritate the structures that support it.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

While the lifespan of a dental implant is greater than that of any other tooth-replacement option, its longevity mostly depends on how you care for it. Dental implants are immune to disease and infection, but that doesn’t apply to the rest of your smile. If you don’t properly care for your teeth, you may develop gum disease or other conditions that can cause the implant to fail. However, if you practice strong oral hygiene habits, your dental implant could last for more than 25 years.