El Cajon & Poway Dental Implant Centers
About Our Dental Implant Services
A Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, Dr. Messerkhani is an expert in dental implant placement.
Our Implant Doctors
State-of-the-Art Technology
Candidates for Dental Implants
Complimentary Implant Consultation
Treatment Options
Expert, state-of-the-art Dental Implant treatment
The modern method for replacing teeth is with the use of dental implants. Implants have been proven to have high longevity; many say they will last a lifetime with proper hygiene. They act, feel and look like natural teeth.
A dental implant is placed in the jawbone and is a stable support for a new tooth (crown).
The dentists at Rancho San Diego Dental are experts in all procedures and technology concerning dental implants, and as a team will provide you with long-lasting, aesthetic and natural-looking implants that are done right and in the most minimally invasive way possible. They are passionate about helping people look and feel their best and do what they can to help them get the treatment they need, including affordable payment plans.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a replacement tooth, it has a root—a titanium post—and a crown, in this case a man-made porcelain one. The implant is placed first and the crown is placed when the implant has integrated into the jawbone. In some cases, a crown can be placed at the same time as the implant.
Our Implant Doctors—Top-level training and experience
Two of the most expert dentists in dental implants, dental restoration and laser dentistry have partnered in Rancho San Diego Dental to provide high-quality and minimally invasive dental implant treatment.
They will make sure your treatment is the right one for your particular circumstances. And, as Dr. Meserkhani states: “Complex treatment is part of everyday life for us.”
Dr. Vahik Meserkhani, Prosthodontist, Diplomate American Board of Oral Implantology Dr. Meserkhani holds one of the most important certifications of oral implantology, one that less than 500 dentists since 1969 have achieved. In addition, he is a prosthodontist, a specialist in the replacement of missing teeth and the restoration of natural teeth. If you need extensive teeth replacement, or full-mouth reconstruction, Dr. Meserkhani will take care of you.
Dr. Joel Henriod, Board Certified PeriodontistA periodontist is a dental specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and in the placement of dental implants. He has placed thousands of implants and is an innovator in minimally invasive gum grafting techniques. When a patient is suffering from considerable gum disease, Dr. Henriod will take care of his or her dental implant placement.
Our state-of-the-art technology
We use a variety of the latest technology in our dental implant treatment.
3D X-Rays with our Cone Beam CT Scan Imaging SystemOur 3D X-Ray machine uses focused cone beams to scan your head and jaw area to get a full 3D 360º view. These images are used to plan the treatment very precisely, making for efficient and safe surgery.
Digital Imaging A combination of digital photography, intraoral photography and digital x-rays supplies us with more information to create the implant treatment plan.
Lasers Lasers are used in many instances in dental implant placement as a substitute for the scalpel, and in bone grafting, which is sometimes needed in order to successfully place implants. Lasers are painless and provide faster healing and much less post-operative discomfort.
Who are candidates for Dental Implants?
If you have missing teeth, either one, several or many, you could be a candidate for dental implants. With modern technology, many people who in the past were considered not to be candidates can now enjoy the benefits of dental implants. With our expertise, we can help the majority of people interested in dental implants.
In particular, if you are unhappy with your dentures or partial dentures, or you have let teeth go missing for a long period of time, you should seriously consider getting dental implants.
Dental implants not only provide a functional experience that is completely natural, they also, like natural teeth, prevent bone loss. Leaving teeth missing or wearing dentures causes bone to be absorbed back into the body due to the lack of stimulus provided by the chewing forces of natural teeth. Bone loss eventually leads to collapse of facial structure, as in a receding chin, wrinkles puckered around the mouth and a drooping mouth.
Are there any contraindications to getting implants?
In the past, people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure were considered too much of a risk to get dental implants. With precautions that we take, we can help most patients with chronic diseases.
Implants for smokers used to have a high failure rate, but with modern advanced the success rate has increased.
What is the minimum age to get Dental Implants?
The jawbone needs to be fully formed. This is generally around 17 for boys and 14-15 for girls. There may be some instances when a dental implant may be appropriate for a child.
Complimentary Implant Consultation
The first step if you think you might need dental implants is to take advantage of our Complimentary Implant Consultation. One of our doctors will review treatment options with dental implants and how they work and answer any questions you have.
Treatment Options with Dental Implants
While dental implants can be used to replace each individual missing tooth, they can also be used in conjunction with other restorations, such as dental bridges and crowns.
- Single-tooth replacement. An isolated tooth needs replacing.
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A three-tooth bridge supported by two implants
Multiple-teeth replacement. Each tooth is replaced with a single implant. Alternatively, teeth can be replaced with implant-supported fixed bridges. This is an especially good, and more economical, alternative for patients with several missing teeth in a row.
For example, two implants can support a three-tooth bridge or three implants can support a five-tooth bridge.
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An implant-supported denture
Replacing all your teeth. A full arch (upper and/or lower jaw of teeth) can be replaced with a series of implants supporting a bridge as above, or with an implant-supported denture.When someone needs to have all their teeth replaced, they need a full makeover, or full-mouth reconstruction. This is a more complex procedure as there can be many factors to take into consideration, including the person’s bite, the health of their gum and bone and the position of other structures, such as the sinuses and nerves.Our goal is to put the entire mouth into harmony, including the shape and color of the teeth, and the form and aesthetics of the smile, as well as the harmonic function so that the bite is correct and comfortable.