Encinitas, CA Dental Implants
Dental implants have played a large role in cosmetic dentistry, but did you know that they also support your dental health? Dental implants are the most revolutionary and realistic tooth replacement option for people with missing teeth. They also provide a useful fixed solution for dental partials, dentures, and bridges.
Single Dental Implant Restorations
When you lose a tooth, we understand the experience can be a traumatic one. At Dr. Kay's office, we provide a wide variety of solutions to replace your tooth and restore your smile. One of the most effective, convenient, and reliable options is a dental implant. Dental implants replace your missing tooth without affecting your adjacent teeth. They look natural, feel natural, and have a high success rate.
Dental implants mimic your natural teeth in that they are surgically placed directly into your bone where your tooth is missing. Then, we give your implant time to heal over the next four to six months so that it provides a stable foundation for your implant crown. Over this period of months, your implant and bone fuse together and create a relationship that helps to prevent bone loss due to your missing tooth.
Once your implant heals completely, we will create your implant crown – the visible part that looks like a tooth. Your implant crown will actually look like your other teeth. We take great care in choosing a shade and shape that matches your smile so it looks flawless. Once we place your permanent implant crown, you will care for it much like you care for your other teeth – by brushing, flossing, and with regular professional hygiene appointments.
Implant-Supported Bridges
If you have multiple missing teeth, you may benefit from an implant-supported bridge. This specialty bridge supports prosthetic teeth either between two implants or between an implant and your natural teeth to fill in larger gaps in your smile. With just a few strategically placed dental implants, we can supply the additional support necessary to keep your bridge stable. Just like single implants, having an implant-supported bridge can prevent bone loss.
Implant-Supported Dentures
For some people, having dentures that fit well may seem impossible. Over time, as your bone structure deteriorates, you may find it difficult to keep your dentures snugly in your mouth, and creating a new set that fits properly can pose some problems.
If you want security and comfort from your dentures, implant-supported dentures may work great for you. In fact, with just several strategically placed dental implants, we can secure your denture in place so you never have to worry about it falling out again.
Do You Want to Learn More About Dental Implants?
If you have more questions about dental implants or if you want to find out if dental implants are a good solution for your missing teeth, call our Encinitas dental office to set up a consultation with our knowledgeable and gentle dentist, Dr. Ryan Kay. We look forward to finding a solution that makes you feel great about your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because of advancements in dentistry as well as improved patient education and knowledge about oral health, we extract fewer teeth than ever before. Occasionally, something occurs that makes an extraction necessary, but we will only recommend it after we have done everything we can to save your tooth.
If you have missing teeth or a planned extraction, we offer a wide variety of options to replace your missing tooth. For single teeth, we may recommend a dental implant or a dental bridge, depending on your health, lifestyle, and personal preference.
A dental implant is one of the most practical and effective ways to replace a missing tooth because your dental implant, which we surgically implant into your bone, is closest to your natural teeth in both appearance and function. Dental implants also provide the added benefits of preserving your bone and they do not require us to involve your adjacent teeth, leaving them intact.
If you prefer a different alternative or if you are not a good candidate for dental implants, we also offer dental bridges. Dental bridges use your adjacent teeth to anchor a prosthetic tooth. It will hold the space from your missing tooth as well as complete your chewing surface and smile.
If you have multiple missing teeth, we offer partial removable dentures, implant supported bridges, and complete dentures.
Dental implants are one of the most innovative dental treatments because they actually integrate with your bone. This process, called osseointegration, provides exceptional stability and reliability for our patients with missing teeth.
When seeking dental implants in our Encinitas dental office, you can count on a few steps:
Oral evaluation – Dr. Kay will determine if you have enough healthy bone for a dental implant and where it should be located for the best results.
Surgery – Placing your dental implant in the ideal location will result in the best function and esthetics of your final dental implant crown. Dental implant surgery results in little discomfort and most patients recover quickly.
Healing time – Waiting for your implant and bone to fuse together is important before restoring your tooth. This will allow your dental implant to become stable enough to support the force caused by chewing.
Restoration – Placing a custom dental implant crown on your tooth will complete your smile. This is often the most exciting part of treatment for our patients. Your gap will disappear, and your crown will blend in. No one will know that you have a dental implant!
Caring for your implant – You should brush and floss regularly to keep your dental implant healthy.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Ryan Kay DMD, MS, FICOI
Dentist
Growing up around dentistry, I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a dentist. After graduating from the University of San Diego, I went on to study at Western University of Health Sciences where I earned both my Masters in Medical Science and Doctorate of Dental Medicine. I think you’ll find me not only to be a kind and compassionate person, you’ll always find me to have a friendly smile and gentle touch.
I was awarded a fellowship by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists due to numerous ...