Dental Implants & Restorations in Santa Barbara, CA

Dr. Joseph C. Weber - Dr. David G. Becker

The new standard of care in tooth replacement.

Dr. Weber our implantologist is an expert in All-On-4 dental implants & restorations which are the best alternative to replacing teeth that have been lost over time. As well as protecting you from bone loss, they also look and feel like natural teeth. A brand new smile has rarely occurred in such a short time. Dentures and dental bridges are sometimes unstable and must be replaced at regular intervals. Dental implants serve as the single best procedure to permanently replace missing teeth in any area of the mouth. Dental implants will last for the duration of a patient's life and paying for them will not.

Dental implantation is a safe and effective process that surgically inserts a titanium screw into the jawbone. The screw acts as a base for a ceramic or porcelain crown to become firmly attached, which is specifically designed to look and feel like a natural tooth. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for All-On-4 dental implants. If the patient has any form of periodontal disease, a scaling and root planning is recommended to remove the bacteria under the gumline.

The patient must also have an adequate amount of bone available that will surround and support the implant, or bone grafting may be required. Bone grafting is surgical procedure used in multiple areas of medicine that replaces missing bone. In dentistry, it is utilized mostly to fill the void in gums which ultimately supports the new implant. The patient may request to use their own bone, or processed bone gathered from a cadaver. The grafted material is then injected into the open area and allowed to heal for up to nine months. This gives an adequate time period for the new and original bone to consolidate and provide a solid foundation for the implant.

Anyone who has worn dentures knows how frustrating it is when they become loose. It can affect not only your smile, but your confidence as well. If you find yourself avoiding hard or sticky foods, you may want to consider a procedure called All-On-4. This is a surgical technique that grants the patient freedom from the stress of managing dentures, or high costs associated with full-mouth reconstruction. Using four total implants, two on each side of the arch, replacement teeth can be permanently supported. If enough bone supports the implants, absolutely no bone grafting will be needed and can be completed in one visit. Patients may also choose to have dental implants on their other arch if needed.

Reasons for dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
• Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

I chose Santa Barbara Dental Care because I prefer to be sedated during dental treatment.  Santa Barbara Dental Care is one of few general dental offices who do intravenous sedation and I was very happy to find this office when searching the internet.

My experience has been a very positive one with both doctors. Originally, I was seen for minor fillings and one crown. I was sedated  for the procedures and I am very happy with the results of the treatment.

In 2012, Dr. Joseph Weber, the implantologist at Santa Barbara Dental Care placed an implant for me after prematurely loosing a tooth that had a cracked root. I was again sedated  while Dr. Weber placed the implant in their dedicated surgery room. I had no pain or discomfort after the surgical procedure as Dr. Weber had told me during my initial consultation with him.

I am very satisfied with my implant and implant crown that was delivered by Dr. Joseph Weber

I enthusiastically recommend Santa Barbara Dental Care for their technology, skill, and specialized training that benefits their patients.

- P. Berman

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