Restorative Dentistry

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the tooth replacement option of choice. Millions of Americans have chosen implants, like those available at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA.

Once the decision is made, patients usually want to know what’s involved every step of the way.

Before the Procedure

It begins with a consultation and preliminary exam. We’ll take X-rays of your teeth and jaw to make sure you have enough healthy bone structure. If you don’t, we may recommend bone grafting.

We’ll also inspect your gums for any signs of gum disease. Healthy gums are essential for a successful implant.

During Implant Surgery

After administering anesthesia, a guide hole is drilled into your jaw and a titanium post – which is the actual implant – is screwed in. The process takes about an hour.

Aftercare

Some patients experience minor pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to control it. An icepack can help, too. Most people can resume their usual activities the same day.

At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA we have placed dental implants in people from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee, who also come to us for our complete restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

Dental implants, like those available from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, are one of the true marvels of modern dentistry: artificial teeth that look and feel like the real thing.

A dental implant is actually a titanium post that is placed in the jaw. It provides the support for the artificial tooth. A single, implant-supported artificial tooth consists of three components:

• The implant, also called a post or artificial tooth root
• The abutment, a connector piece
• The prosthesis – a dental crown, bridge, or denture/partial denture

In this post, we describe the abutment: the connector piece between the actual implant and the artifical tooth.

A temporary abutment may be used just after the implant is placed. That’s because it takes several months for the implant to fuse with the bone. Once it does, it is a solid foundation, ready for the final abutment.

When healing is complete, most patients report anywhere from eighty to nearly one hundred percent of normal chewing power.

At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA we have placed dental implants in patients throughout San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee, who also come to our practice for complete general dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

Bone loss is an unfortunate consequence of the loss of a tooth, whether from extraction or some other reason. Dental implants, like those available from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa, can slow and even stop it.

Bone loss, or recession, occurs because the bone’s density is no longer preserved by the action of chewing. The pressure and stimulation it causes to the bone is what keeps it healthy. When the tooth root is gone, and the stimulation along with it, the bone is actually re-absorbed into the body.

As much as twenty-five percent of the bone around the area of the lost tooth recedes within a year of the loss. Without something being done, the bone continues to recede.

Full or partial dentures will not stop the bone from receding. That’s because they can’t provide the stimulation the bone needs. This ongoing bone loss can lead to another consequence: a sagging or collapsed appearance to the lower part of the face.

How Implants Stop Recession

Dental implants are physically attached to the body. They are titanium posts inserted into the jaw. Within a few months they fuse with the bone, becoming one with it.

One implant can support an artificial tooth. Several implants can support a bridge, or a full dental arch. The implant acts as a replacement tooth root, giving the bone the stimulation it needs to stop the recession.

With dental implants from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa you maintain bone mass, along with the ability to bite and chew normally. They also restore your smile! Find out why patients from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee come to our practice. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

For anyone who has lost all of their teeth, implant-supported dentures from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa may sound like a dream come true: dentures that are attached to the jaw, and surpass traditional dentures in appearance and functionality.

You know what they say: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But set aside any skepticism. Implant-supported dentures are already worn successfully by hundreds of thousands of people.

As you may know, a dental implant is a titanium post that is placed in the jaw, where it fuses with the bone. A single post can support a single artificial tooth. Multiple posts, strategically placed, can support a set of dentures.

Implant-supported dentures have a number of advantages over traditional dentures:

• More stable. Because they are attached to titanium posts that have fused with the jaw, people have much greater biting and chewing power.
• Natural in appearance. They look more like natural teeth, and are easier to care for.
• Built to last. Because they are physically attached to the jaw, implants are long-lasting.
• Prevent bone recession. With traditional dentures, the bone around missing tooth roots begin to deteriorate. The titanium posts replace some of the tooth roots, so the bone is preserved.

Implant-supported dentures can transform your life, and they are available at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa. People from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee also come to us for complete general dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

 

Dental implants from Espire Dental | Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa support teeth so lifelike, patients have been known to forget some of their teeth aren’t real. That’s now natural their look and function is.

Those simple facts are enough to make most people choose dental implants if they need to replace one or more of their teeth. Then they learn that in addition to those benefits, implants can actually preserve and promote healthy bone mass in their jaws.

Dental Implants and Bone Loss

An unfortunate consequence of losing teeth is that the bone surrounding the lost tooth begins to atrophy. This begins almost immediately, and is usually noticeable within a year or so. The person’s face takes on a shrunken or sagging appearance. The more teeth that are missing, the more pronounced it is.

This happens because of the missing tooth root. But because dental implants are physically attached to the jaw, they mimic the root. The natural biting and chewing motions stimulate the bone and encourage new tissue to grow around the implant.

One dental implant can support one artificial tooth, and several can support a bridge, and even a full dental arch. At Espire Dental | Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa we have placed them in patients from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee. They also come to us for complete general dentistry. Please give our office a call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Espire Dental | Jeff Gray DDS:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

Dental implants from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa are state-of-the-art, with a success rate in the area of ninety-eight percent. That number is a testament to implant technology. But like any medical or dental procedure, there are risks. In this post, we will consider possible complications of a dental implant.

• Infection. Any surgical procedure poses an infection risk. That’s why we often prescribe an antibiotic beforehand. Beginning the second day post-surgery, the implant site should also be rinsed with a salt water solution.
• Slow healing. A patient is more likely to experience slow healing if they have another medical condition. Possible conditions include gum disease, diabetes, cancer, alcoholism, or poor circulation due to smoking. We take preexisting conditions into account.
• Sinus problems. Upper implants are placed very close to the floor of the sinus. Because of this proximity, an implant can perforate the floor of the sinus cavity. This is rare.
• Implant failure. If an implant fails to integrate with the surrounding bone, it is usually due to insufficient blood supply. Teeth grinding, smoking, and the medical conditions discussed previously can impair blood circulation.
• Nerve damage. Nerve damage occurs in a very small percentage of implant procedures. Patients may have pain, tingling or numbness at the implant site.

An informed patient makes the best decisions, and at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa we make sure every dental implant patient knows exactly what is involved. Patients from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee trust us with implants and other restorative dentistry procedures. Call us for an appointment today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

Patients who are thinking about a dental implant from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa often ask how long they last. An implant is a significant investment, after all. Do they really last a lifetime, like people say? The answer is yes, but an explanation is in order.

A dental implant is not a replacement tooth, but the titanium post that is inserted into the jaw. Titanium is well-suited for implants, and cases of rejection by the body are rare. A big factor in how long the implant lasts comes down to how well you take care of it.

With regular dental checkups (twice a year, just like with natural teeth) and proper hygiene, a dental implant really can last a lifetime. Proper hygiene means adequate brushing and flossing. When you get your implant we will have specific, detailed instructions. For most patients, we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.

Dental implants like those from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa are the tooth replacement option of choice. People from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee also come to our office for Invisalign clear braces, and much more. Please schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942