Expert Dental Implants in San Marcos and Vista
With offices in San Marcos and Vista, Offshore Oral & Facial Surgery provides implant care focused on precision, comfort, and clear planning from the start.
Schedule a dental implant consultation today to learn if you are a candidate.
Personalized Care From Start to Finish
Clear Communication From Start to Finish
Treatment Planned For Long-Term Success
Care Tailored to Your Comfort
Consistent, Surgeon-Led Care
“The goal is to focus on excellent outcomes while making the process as comfortable and minimally invasive as possible.” Dr. Exstrom
Surgical Experience That Guides Every Case
Dr. Drake Exstrom provides oral and maxillofacial surgery with a focus on precise planning, patient comfort, and long-term results. His approach centers on doing what is necessary to achieve a strong outcome while avoiding unnecessary procedures whenever possible.
Each case is evaluated individually, with careful attention to bone quality, anatomy, and overall treatment goals. From consultation through recovery, care is delivered with clear communication and a steady, thoughtful approach designed to support predictable healing.
Learn More About Dr. ExstromWhat Are Dental Implants And How Do They Work?
Dental implants are small titanium posts placed into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Over time, the bone bonds with the implant, creating a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Unlike removable options, implants help maintain jawbone strength and reduce the bone loss that can occur after tooth loss.
How Missing Teeth Affect Oral Health
When a tooth is lost, the changes extend beyond the visible gap. Chewing efficiency may decrease, speech can be affected, and the jaw bone in the area of the missing tooth can begin to weaken over time. As bone loss progresses, it may also contribute to changes in facial shape and overall oral stability.
Implants are designed to address these concerns at the source by replacing the tooth root within the jawbone. By restoring function at the bone level, implants help support long-term oral health while also improving comfort, appearance, and everyday function.
Dental Implant Placement Process
Dental implant treatment is typically completed in stages to allow proper healing and bone integration.
- Implant placement: The dental implant is surgically placed into the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth. In cases where additional support is needed, a bone graft may be recommended to help rebuild or strengthen the jawbone or “foundation” before or during implant placement.
- Healing and osseointegration: Over the following months, the jawbone gradually bonds to the implant through a process called osseointegration. This creates a stable foundation for the final restoration.
- Final restoration: Once healing is complete, the implant is prepared for the placement of a custom crown. Most patients are able to continue normal daily activities throughout each stage of treatment.
Recovery and Healing
Recovery after dental implant surgery varies depending on the number of implants placed and whether additional procedures are involved. Most patients experience mild swelling and soreness that improves over several days.
In appropriate cases, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may be used to support healing. PRF is created from the patient’s own blood and placed at the surgical site to promote natural tissue repair.
Healing time before the final tooth is placed typically ranges from three to six months, allowing the implant to fully integrate with the bone. Clear aftercare instructions and ongoing support are provided throughout the healing process.
Did You Know?
Many patients expect dental implant surgery to be painful or require extended downtime. In reality, the procedure is often quicker and more comfortable than anticipated. Sedation options are available, and most patients are able to return to normal daily activities shortly after surgery while the implant continues to heal beneath the surface.
Advanced Implant Technology and Techniques
Treatment planning and precision play an important role in implant success. Our practice offers advanced options that allow care to be tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
X-Guide Guided Implant Placement
X-Guide technology uses real-time 3D navigation to guide implant placement with a high level of accuracy. This approach supports precise positioning while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissue.
Immediate Implant Placement
In some cases, an implant can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction. Immediate dental implant placement can reduce the number of procedures needed and help preserve bone and gum tissue when appropriate. It can also get you closer to having a final tooth restoration quicker than anticipated while not compromising success.
Zygomatic Implants For Severe Upper Jaw Bone Loss
For patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw, zygomatic implants may be an option. These implants anchor into the cheekbone rather than the upper jaw and are used in select cases when traditional implants are not feasible.
Why Choose an Oral Surgeon for Dental Implants?
Dental implant surgery involves more than placing a post in the jaw. It requires careful evaluation of bone structure, surrounding anatomy, and how the implant will function over time.
An oral surgeon is trained to manage these factors, including bone quality, nerve location, sinus position, and overall bite function. This allows for more accurate placement and better control of surgical variables that can affect healing and long-term stability.
Oral surgeons are also equipped to perform related procedures, such as bone grafting or sinus augmentation, when additional support is needed. This makes it possible to address more complex cases and create a stable foundation for implant success.
Dental Insurance and Payment Options
Insurance coverage varies by plan and by patient. We are in-network with the majority of insurance providers to help estimate available benefits, but coverage verification does not guarantee payment. Treatment fees are reviewed during your consultation so you have a clear understanding of expected costs.
FAQs
How long do dental implants last?
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Most patients report that implant surgery is more comfortable than expected and less downtime than a tooth extraction. Sedation options are available, and post-operative discomfort is typically manageable with over the counter pain medications.
How long is the recovery period after dental implant surgery?
Initial healing usually occurs within the first few days to weeks, with mild swelling or soreness that improves gradually. Full healing, including integration of the implant with the bone, generally takes several months before the final restoration is placed.
Can you replace more than one tooth with dental implants?
Dental implants can replace multiple missing teeth, including full arches, using options such as implant-retained dentures, full-arch dental implants, and implant-retained dental bridges.
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Gum disease must be treated and well controlled before dental implants can be placed. During your consultation, your oral health will be evaluated to determine whether additional treatment is needed prior to implant placement.
How common is implant failure?
Implant failure can occur when an implant does not properly integrate with the jawbone. This is why bone health, healing response, and overall oral health are evaluated before treatment to support long-term implant stability.
Where can I get dental implants in North County San Diego?
If you are looking for a dental implant specialist in North County San Diego, Offshore Oral & Facial Surgery provides care at our offices in San Marcos and Vista.