One missing tooth
An implant-supported crown for one space.
Enjoy eating.
Feel ready to smile.
Missing teeth can change what you eat and how you feel around other people. Explore whether dental implants could help you regain comfortable function and confidence, with care planned around your life.
Start with what you want to enjoy again.
Perhaps you avoid certain foods, cover your smile in photographs or worry about a denture moving. Tell us what matters most to you. Dental implants can support replacement teeth, but the right choice starts with your goals, health and the alternatives available.
Your first visit is a chance to compare those options, understand the stages and costs, and ask questions before deciding on treatment.
Talk with us about your options
Understanding the plan
“Dr Dreyer explained my situation well…”
One tooth, several teeth or a full arch.
Who places the implant, and who makes the tooth?
Dr. Dreyer’s role is periodontal and implant surgical care: the implant and the gum and bone around it. Your restorative dentist plans and provides the crown, bridge or denture. The proposed tooth replacement and the surgical plan need to fit together before treatment begins.
What does the evaluation cover?
The starting point is your health history, the condition of your gums and teeth, and the bone available at the proposed implant site. Tell the team about medications, smoking and previous periodontal treatment. These can change the preparation, timing or options discussed.
Carestream CBCT imaging is available when a three-dimensional view adds information to the plan. Our practice uses BioHorizons implant systems; the evaluation determines which approach is appropriate.
Planning and treatment technologyUnderstand the sequence before you begin.
Care can include treatment of gum disease, removal of a tooth or bone grafting before implant placement. Healing and the design of the final restoration also affect the sequence. Discuss temporary teeth with the restorative dentist as part of that plan.
Specialist experience, connected to your care.
Dr. Andrew Dreyer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. His training at Wilford Hall Medical Center and UT Health San Antonio, seven years of Air Force service and focus on gums, bone and implants inform the care he provides in Bakersfield.
Understand periodontal specialty carePlan for comfort before treatment.
Discuss dental anxiety and pain control at your consultation. Local numbing and relaxation options can be considered together, with the approach chosen for your health and procedure.
Comfort & relaxation optionsYour questions, answered.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Healthy supporting tissues and adequate bone are important. Existing gum disease, bone loss and your medical history may change the plan or require treatment first. An examination is needed to assess those factors; a photograph or webpage cannot establish candidacy.
How long will treatment take?
The schedule includes any preparatory care, implant placement, healing and the final restoration. Grafting or treatment of gum disease can add stages. Ask both offices to outline the expected sequence and what you will wear during healing before you commit to treatment.
What goes into the cost?
An implant plan can involve imaging, surgical care, grafting and the crown, bridge or denture. Ask which fees come from each office and what is included in follow-up. Insurance coverage and payment arrangements need to be confirmed for your particular plan.
What if I am anxious about treatment?
Tell our team before your visit. Discuss how discomfort will be managed, what to expect during the procedure and any preparation you need. The office can explain which comfort options are available for your proposed care.