Women smiling and huggingGetting dental implants can be very beneficial for the appearance of a patient’s teeth and their overall dental health. When people in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco have a missing tooth, Dr. Skoulas will generally recommend a dental implant be installed right away. One of the main reasons is because the implant is effective in creating a natural appearance of the teeth, but another reason is the long-lasting results and oral health benefits.

It is very rare for dental implants to cause any problems. With such a high success rate, most of the time dental implant restoration is never needed. However, if an accident leads to a damaged implant, patients in San Francisco and Embarcadero can call our practice at any time to determine whether dental implant restoration is needed.


Why Dental Implants Can Become Loose

In rare instances, the titanium implant may not have properly fused with the patient’s jawbone, leading to the implant becoming loose over time. The fusion process can take several months to complete after getting dental implants installed, and it’s possible that patients won’t notice their implant is loose until several months following the dental implant procedure. But once the loose implant is identified, it’s critical to call Dr. Skoulas immediately to determine whether dental implant restoration is needed.

Another reason implants can become loose and require the need for dental implant restoration is if the patient develops an infection or gum disease. These could lead to bone deterioration around the implant and cause it to loosen. If you notice anything different about the teeth and contact Dr. Skoulas immediately. If dental implant restoration is needed, getting it done right away could prevent future problems from occurring and make the entire process much easier.


Before & After Photos


Identifying A Damaged Dental Implant

Most of the time a damaged dental implant will be obvious. It could be in the form of being loose, chipped, cracked or fractured. However, a less common way to identify and potentially prevent a damaged implant is by noticing redness in the gums. This symptom can happen for many reasons and could lead to an infection and eventually bone deterioration. Patients in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco sometimes make the mistake of thinking their gums don’t have any effect on the actual implant, but the reality is gum health is critical for healthy implants. Many times, dental implant restoration can be prevented by identifying these types of signs early and contacting Dr. Skoulas.


Repairing Dental Implants

The dental implant restoration process could involve simply repairing the implant. Repairs are an option when the dental crown has become damaged in any way. Sometimes the actual implant does not need to be repaired at all. Depending on the part of the implant or crown that was damaged, it’s possible to repair it without even removing the crown. Dr. Skoulas always want to restore a patient’s implants or crowns in the least-invasive way possible, so repairing it is always desired over replacing it. However, it’s still important to reach out to Dr. Skoulas immediately when an implant or crown becomes damaged so that any future damage can be minimized.

Replacing Dental Implants

If a resident in San Francisco or Embarcadero requires a replacement of their implants, then the dental implant restoration process is more involved. The entire process will be similar to when the patient first had the implants installed. The main difference is Dr. Skoulas will have to perform surgery to remove the existing implant, clean the area, and then start the bone grafting process if needed. In rare situations, the implant may have failed completely, which could require more extensive intervention and will need to be discussed with Dr. Skoulas. The timeframe for returning to normal depends on many different variables, which will be explained in the initial consultation with Dr. Skoulas.

Are Dental Implant Problems Isolated To A Single Implant?

A question many patients in San Francisco and Embarcadero have about dental implant restoration is whether one faulty implant will lead to more faulty implants. Since it’s very rare for an implant to fail, to begin with, the chances of another one failing are extremely low. Of course, this all depends on how quickly the patient recognizes the problem and contacts Dr. Skoulas. If the patient is dealing with significant gum disease, then it’s possible for the problem to spread to other implants. Any time patients work with Dr. Skoulas they can feel confident knowing she has completed a thorough examination of their teeth and will address all potential issues at one time.

When To Contact Dr. Skoulas

Since dental implants have a high success rate, patients in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco should contact us immediately if anything seems out of the ordinary. Patients are encouraged to monitor the area surrounding the implant every day for several months following the installation. Dr. Skoulas will be very detailed when explaining what to look for, so it’s easy for the patient to identify any potential issues.

Schedule Your Consultation

We offer a welcoming and friendly environment to help our patients in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco feel relaxed. We never want to receive a call about patients possibly needing a dental implant restoration procedure done, but we are always ready to respond quickly to alleviate any issues. Our patients deserve to feel comfortable with the appearance of their teeth, and we will go out of our way to make sure they are.

The experience and care of Dr. Skoulas set them apart from other San Francisco dentists, which is one of the many reasons her patients are comfortable visiting her. If you are experiencing any problems with your dental implants, contact us at (415) 757-0110 immediately to schedule a consultation to determine if dental implant restoration is needed.


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Dr. Antigone Skoulas San Francisco

SF dentist Dr. Antigone Skoulas prioritizes patient comfort, efficiency, and quality care.

She ensures that those under her treatment understand their options and have confidence in their procedures, and she adds to the capabilities of our SF practice through her professional development as a dentist and the knowledge of her staff.

About Dr. Skoulas