Dental implants in San Francisco, CA

Dental implants are a realistic-looking, long-lasting tooth replacement option that can replace one or more missing or damaged teeth.

Dental implants can help

Dental implant surgery is a commonly sought after solution for one or more missing teeth because it improves dental health, promotes healthy gums and jaw bone, and has a high success rate. Implants are taken care of with regular brushing and flossing, and with proper care, they can last a lifetime.

This revolutionary replacement option doesn’t affect the contouring of your face, and you won’t have to worry about cumbersome removable dentures or dental appliances. All of our oral surgeons in San Francisco are board-certified or board eligible and have had years of experience restoring oral health. A dental implant is made up of three parts that work together:

A post, typically made of medical-grade titanium
A connecting abutment
A crown

During your procedure, your oral surgeon will place the post into the jaw bone through a small incision, where it will fuse with the bone as it heals. If there is not enough stable bone in your jaw, a bone graft may be needed to promote bone growth.

Once the implant has bonded with the jaw bone through a process called osseointegration, your oral surgeon will uncover the implant and attach a small abutment to it that protrudes through the gums. The abutment acts as an anchor for the artificial tooth and is not seen once your dentist places the crown. The entire process takes from 4 to 6 months, and your normal routine is typically not disrupted at all.

There are some instances where your surgeon can place the implant at the same time as a tooth extraction, which will lessen the number of surgical procedures needed. Your oral surgeon will discuss your treatment and options for completing your smile in-depth with you during your consultation.

Visit our Dental Implant FAQ or learn about what dental implants are.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants are such a remarkable tooth replacement option because they have all the benefits of natural teeth. They won’t slip and slide around in your mouth like dentures, and they don’t have to be removed during eating and brushing. In fact, placing a dental implant actually helps keep your jaw bone strong and healthy!

Dental implants offer many wonderful benefits because they:

Are realistic and indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Renew your self-confidence.
Help control bone loss and maintain your facial aesthetics when the implant post fuses with the jaw bone.
Can replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch of teeth.
Allow you to enjoy your favorite foods again.

During your consultation, your oral surgeon will work with you to determine if a dental implant is the right treatment for you and your condition.

The Dental Implant Process

Drs. Duncan, Scharf, Patwardhan, Tolstunov, Morrow, and Robert have received extensive training in placing dental implants. We perform this common and easy procedure in the safety and comfort of one of our San Francisco offices. We also offer multiple options for anesthesia, so you can remain comfortable and relaxed during your procedure.

Every patient is different, and your specific procedure will be adjusted to meet your needs. Generally, a single implant procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, but this varies if you need multiple teeth replacements. When you undergo a dental implant procedure at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists, you can expect your experience to go much like the following:

The consultation. This is typically the first time that you visit our office. One of our oral surgeons will evaluate your condition and create a treatment plan that suits your needs. If a dental implant is right for you, you will receive detailed pre- and post-operative instructions, which you will be expected to follow closely.
The day of surgery. When you are ready and settled, one of our oral surgeons will carefully administer the chosen anesthesia. Remember that oral surgeons undergo specialized training to administer intravenous (IV) sedation, so you can feel at ease knowing that you are in excellent hands. When the anesthesia has taken effect, your oral surgeon will make a small incision in your gum tissue, insert the implant post into your jaw bone, and stitch the surgical site closed.
Recovery. Your recovery begins as soon as your procedure ends and lasts until your implant post has successfully fused with your jaw bone. This normally takes about 6 weeks. It’s very important that you heal properly because this post will act as the new root for your artificial tooth, and you must take care of the surgical site as it heals. Patients generally resume their normal activities within 2 weeks post-surgery. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions, so make sure you follow them closely and carefully to ensure you have a smooth and speedy recovery.
The abutment placement. When the implant post has fused to your jaw bone, your oral surgeon will attach a small connector piece, called an abutment. When your crown is ready, it will be attached to this piece.
The crown placement. You may be given a temporary crown to wear while your implant post heals. When it is time, your oral surgeon or restorative dentist will place a permanent, custom crown on top of your abutment. This crown is specifically made to match the color, shape, and size of your teeth, making your implant indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Dental implants can be your solution to missing or failing teeth. Simply talk to our specialists at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists in San Francisco, CA, to learn more! Feel free to call our office and schedule a consultation.

Dental implant reviews, hear from patients like you

Hear what our patients in San Francisco are saying about their dental implants! We enjoy hearing feedback from our patients about how our services have improved their confidence and restored functionality to their smiles.

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Dental implant cost in San Francisco, CA

Patient conditions and needs vary; therefore, the cost of dental implants varies. Some patients may only need one dental implant placed without needing a bone graft, while others may need to replace an entire arch of teeth. No matter your needs, our staff works hard to make sure that our care is offered at competitive prices for the San Francisco, CA area.

There are several factors that will determine the cost of a dental implant:

The number of implants.
If bone or soft tissue grafting is needed.
If tooth extractions are needed prior to receiving an implant.
The details of your insurance.

We would be happy to talk you through the dental implant process and configure an accurate cost estimate that considers all of these factors with you. Please contact our office and request a consultation, where we will discuss your cost of dental implants. 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists also offers financing for dental implants to help make your care more affordable..

Immediate implants in San Francisco, CA

Immediate implants are a popular implant solution for patients looking to quickly replace a tooth and are most common with the front teeth. This type of implant is placed immediately after a tooth is extracted and allows the patient to leave the office with a tooth replacement already in place. Immediate implants heal much faster than traditional implants, meaning that they fuse with the bone at an accelerated rate.

Some immediate implants can be placed with the abutment and crown at the same time, so you don’t need to visit a restorative dentist at a later date to have your crown placed. Ask us about same-day dental implants during your consultation to see if you are a candidate.

Denture replacement with dental implants

If you wear dentures, our oral surgeons are excited to offer you a more comfortable and convenient solution with dental implants. Many patients turn to dentures in the beginning because they are cheaper upfront and do not require surgery. However, dentures must be replaced every few years, and patients often find them embarrassing or uncomfortable. Dental implants are an ideal alternative to traditional dentures and provide healthier, more convenient results.

Dental implants can secure a fixed denture, eliminating the need for removable dentures and restoring full functionality to your smile. This treatment is known as full-arch restoration, and is a long-term denture replacement that looks and feels natural. You can also replace partial dentures with an implant-supported bridge or multiple implants. Our surgeons will tailor your treatment plan to fit your exact restorative needs. Learn more about denture replacement in San Francisco, CA, today by contacting our office for a consultation.

Dental implant FAQ

WHY CHOOSE AN ORAL SURGEON?

Dental implants are sophisticated dental devices that must be treated with great care. Oral surgeons undergo many years of training outside of dental school and practice hands-on surgical procedures, such as placing dental implants. That’s why it’s important to receive proper dental implants from experts like us here at 7x7 Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists in San Francisco, who have had the required training and education.

WHAT TYPES OF DENTAL IMPLANT PROSTHESES ARE AVAILABLE?

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace a single missing tooth. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) is used to replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. If you need to replace an entire row of teeth, a complete dental prosthesis is used. The number of implants you need will determine whether you receive a fixed or removable prosthesis. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball and socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and can only be removed by a dentist.

WHAT IF I’M MISSING ALL OF MY UPPER TEETH?

We are fully equipped and capable of offering full-arch restoration to patients who are in need of a whole row of teeth. We refer to this treatment as Teeth-in-an-Hour™ because you can walk into our San Francisco office missing an entire arch of teeth and walk out with a new row of teeth! This replacement is supported on as few as four dental implant posts and has the power to restore confidence in your smile again.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY AFTER A DENTAL IMPLANT?

It takes between 3 and 6 months for the crucial part of healing to occur, which is the fusion of the implant post to your jaw bone. Your age, jaw bone condition, your body’s healing abilities affect the length of this process.

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE DENTAL IMPLANTS OVER OTHER TRADITIONAL TYPES OF RESTORATIONS?

Dental implants are permanent, so you don’t need to worry about removing them when you eat or brush your teeth. They are designed to match your other teeth and are so realistic that people can’t tell which tooth is an implant. Plus, they help to improve your jaw bone structure because the implant post helps provide stability. Read more about why you should choose dental implants or dentures for your tooth restoration.

WILL THE DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE HURT?

We work diligently to make sure all of our patients are comfortable while in our care. We offer multiple anesthesia options so that you can be at ease and relaxed during your procedure. If medical procedures or needles cause you to experience anxiety, general anesthesia is a good choice because, with this option, you sleep comfortably during your procedure and wake up when it’s all over!

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Once the implant is in its proper place, you simply care for it like your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. A dental implant can last you for many years to come with proper oral hygiene and care!

Find us in San Francisco, CA

We have three convenient practice locations to serve you in San Francisco, CA—choose from our West Portal office (on W. Portal Avenue), our Stonestown office (on Buckingham Way), or our Van Ness office (on Daniel Burnham Court).