Permanent tooth replacement for our Mission Hills neighbors, planned with 3D imaging and completed at our Hillcrest office just a short drive east of you.
Dental Implants in Mission Hills, San Diego
IV Sedation Available
Same-Day Consults
Missing teeth change small things first. You chew on one side, pass on the crusty bread at your favorite Goldfinch Street spot, or keep your lips closed in photos. Over time, the gap can also let neighboring teeth drift and the bone underneath shrink. Dental implants replace the root as well as the visible tooth, which is why they are often the longest-lasting way to fill that space.
At Sunrise Dental Arts, Dr. Andy Keith and our team provide dental implant treatment in San Diego for patients across Uptown, including many neighbors from Mission Hills. Every plan starts with three-dimensional imaging, so you know your options, your timeline, and your costs before treatment begins.
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How a Dental Implant Rebuilds a Missing Tooth
An implant has three parts. A small titanium post sits in the jawbone where the root used to be, an abutment connects that post at the gumline, and a custom dental crown, bridge, or denture attaches on top. Because the post bonds with the surrounding bone, the finished tooth does not shift, click, or need adhesive.
The American Dental Association explains that bone grows around the implant and holds it in place, a process called osseointegration. That bond matters beyond the new tooth. When a root is lost, the jaw in that spot gets less pressure from chewing and slowly thins, and an implant restores that pressure to help keep the jaw and nearby teeth supported.
Implant Options for Mission Hills Patients
What Implant Treatment Looks Like Step by Step
- Consultation and 3D Imaging
- Preparing Your Mouth
- Placing the Implant
- Healing and Integration
- Your Final Restoration
Consultation and 3D Imaging
Your first visit includes an exam and three-dimensional imaging of your jaw. Dr. Keith reviews the scans with you, explains which implant options fit your bone and your goals, and gives you a clear estimate before you decide anything. Same-day consultations are often available.
Preparing Your Mouth
Some patients need groundwork first, such as treating gum disease, removing a failing tooth, or adding bone where it has thinned. We recommend these steps only when your scans show they are needed for the implant to last.
Placing the Implant
Following the plan built from your scans, we place the implant post through a small, precise opening in the gum. Local anesthetic keeps the area numb, and sedation options, including IV sedation, are available if you would rather be more relaxed during the procedure.
Healing and Integration
Over the next few months, the bone grows around the post and locks it in place. Most patients return to their normal routine within a few days, and you may wear a temporary tooth or denture during this stage while short check-ins confirm healing is on track.
Your Final Restoration
Once the implant is stable, we attach the abutment and your custom crown, bridge, or denture. We check your bite carefully and fine-tune it so chewing feels even, then show you how to brush and floss around your new tooth at home.
Getting to Our Office From Mission Hills
Our office at 3645 Fourth Avenue sits in the middle of Hillcrest, so most Mission Hills patients reach us with a short drive east along Washington Street. Being this close makes the several visits of implant treatment easier to fit around work and family plans. For routine care and the rest of our services, see our Mission Hills dentist page.
We see patients Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., so you can often come in before the workday starts. If you choose IV sedation for your procedure, plan for someone to drive you home afterward.
Plan Your Dental Implants Near Mission Hills
Our team at Sunrise Dental Arts helps Mission Hills patients replace one tooth, several teeth, or a full arch with implants planned around their bone, budget, and schedule. Dr. Andy Keith will walk you through each option so you can choose with confidence.
Schedule your implant consultation online or call (619) 291-2980. We are in-network with Delta Dental, can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, and our team can check your benefits before your first visit.
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FAQs
How far is your office from Mission Hills?
Our office is at 3645 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest, the neighborhood just east of Mission Hills. For most Mission Hills patients it is a short drive along Washington Street, often 10 minutes or less depending on traffic.
How many visits does dental implant treatment take?
A typical single-tooth case includes a consultation, the implant placement, one or two healing checks, and a final visit for the crown. Because the bone needs time to bond with the post, often three to six months, the full process spans a few months, though each appointment is fairly short.
Can I be sedated during implant surgery?
Yes. Along with local anesthetic, we offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Dr. Keith will help you choose the level that fits your comfort and health history. If you choose IV sedation, you will need someone to drive you home.
Does dental insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage depends on your plan. Many PPO plans pay toward part of implant treatment, such as the crown or an extraction, even when they limit coverage for the implant itself. Our team can review your benefits before treatment, and Cherry and CareCredit financing can spread the remaining cost into monthly payments.
What if I was told I do not have enough bone for an implant?
Bone loss does not always rule out implants. Depending on what your 3D scan shows, a bone graft, a different implant position, or a full-arch approach like All-on-4 that uses angled implants may make treatment possible. We will explain what your scan shows at your consultation.
