Missing a tooth — or a few — can make everyday things harder than they should be. Eating, smiling, talking. It adds up. At Scripps West Dental, Dr. James Tasto and our team have helped Mira Mesa patients restore their smiles with dental implants for years. We handle the whole process right here in our office, from the first X-ray to your final crown.
Most dental offices refer you out for implant surgery. We don’t. Our team includes Dr. Gary Sigafoos, a periodontist with 25 years of experience placing dental implants, and Dr. James Choi, who has completed extensive training in implant surgery. Dr. Tasto then designs and places your final restoration — the crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture.
That means you see the same familiar team from start to finish. No new offices, no repeating your health history, no coordination headaches between different providers.
We also offer implant-supported bridges and full-arch implant-supported dentures for patients missing multiple teeth. Whatever your situation, we’ll walk you through your options at your consultation and help you figure out what makes sense for you.
Every missing tooth situation is different. Here are the implant solutions we provide in-house:
If you are missing one tooth, a single implant with a custom crown is typically the cleanest solution. The implant post replaces the root, and your crown looks and works like a natural tooth. It does not affect the teeth next to it, unlike a bridge.
Missing two or three teeth in a row? An implant-supported bridge uses two implant posts to anchor a multi-tooth restoration. This avoids touching healthy surrounding teeth and gives you a stable, fixed result.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth on one arch, implant-supported dentures are a big step up from traditional removable dentures. A few strategically placed implants lock your denture in place. You can eat, laugh, and talk without worrying about it shifting.
If you have had a missing tooth for a while, the jaw bone in that area may have lost some density. A bone graft rebuilds that foundation so the implant has solid bone to fuse with. Dr. Sigafoos, our in-house periodontist, performs bone grafts right here — no referral needed.
For patients dealing with multiple failing or missing teeth, we can build a complete restoration plan combining implants, crowns, and other restorative work. Dr. Tasto coordinates the full picture.
All-on-4 and All-on-6 implants use just four to six strategically placed posts to support a full fixed arch of teeth — done in a single surgical visit. It’s a different procedure with its own timeline, candidacy requirements, and cost range. If that’s what you’re dealing with, it deserves its own conversation.
Dr. Tasto grew up in San Diego and went to dental school at USC, where he focused on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He has been recognised in San Diego Magazine’s Top Dentists list every year from 2007 to 2023. As the USD Toreros’ team dentist, he also understands that a functional, durable bite matters — not just looks.
He designs and places implant restorations with the same attention to detail he applies to every patient. His goal is that you leave looking and feeling like yourself.
Dr. Choi completed his DDS at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco and has taken extensive continuing education courses focused on implant placement. He has also volunteered placing implants for underserved patients. He brings that same hands-on care to every case here in Mira Mesa.
Dr. Sigafoos is a periodontist with more than 25 years of experience in North San Diego. Periodontal health is the foundation that makes implants last. He handles periodontal treatment, bone grafting, and implant placement for patients who need that specialist-level care — all under one roof.
Getting an implant is not a one-day thing — and that is a good thing. The timeline exists because your body needs time to do its job. Here is what the process looks like from your first visit to your finished smile:
We take X-rays and, when needed, a CT scan to look at your bone depth and overall oral health. Dr. Tasto or Dr. Choi will tell you exactly what is involved in your case — including whether bone grafting is needed, how long the process will take, and what your restoration options are.
We build a step-by-step plan just for you. If any prep work is needed — like a tooth extraction or bone graft — we schedule that first. Everything happens here, so you are never juggling multiple offices.
Once your jaw is ready, the implant post is placed into the bone. This is a surgical procedure done with local anaesthesia. Most patients are surprised at how manageable it is. Healing time is typically 3 to 6 months as the implant fuses with your bone.
After healing, a small connector piece (called an abutment) is attached to the implant. This is what your final crown, bridge, or denture attaches to.
Your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is fitted and secured. We match the shape, size, and shade to your natural teeth. At this point, your implant looks and works just like the real thing.
Implants need the same care as natural teeth — brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups. We will stay with you through your follow-up appointments and annual maintenance.
There are several dental offices in the 92126 area. Here is what is genuinely different about coming to Scripps West Dental for implants:
From your consultation to bone grafting, implant surgery, and your final crown, it all happens here. Dr. Sigafoos (our periodontist) and Dr. Choi (our implant surgeon) work alongside Dr. Tasto. You do not get shuffled between offices. That continuity matters — especially for complex cases.
Most general dental offices cannot offer in-house periodontal care. Gum health and bone density are what make implants last, and having Dr. Sigafoos available means we can address those issues without sending you somewhere else.
Dr. Tasto has been named a Top Dentist in San Diego Magazine every year from 2007 to 2023. That is peer recognition, not advertising — other dentists in the area vote for him.
Not everyone is missing just one tooth. We offer implant-supported partials and full dentures for patients who need to replace an entire arch. These are far more stable than traditional dentures and much better for your jaw bone health long-term.
Our office is at 9420 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite D — easy to reach from across North San Diego. We regularly see patients coming in from Scripps Ranch, University City, Sorrento Valley, Rancho Peñasquitos, Carmel Valley, and Kearny Mesa. If you are in any of these neighbourhoods and looking for dental implants closer to home, we are a short drive away and accepting new patients.
Whether you found us searching for full-arch implants in Mira Mesa or you are a long-term patient from Scripps Ranch making a big decision about your teeth, the process starts the same way — with a conversation. Come in, we will look at where things stand and give you a straight picture of your options.
Dental implants are an investment, and we know cost is a real concern for most people. Here is what you should know:
A single implant (post, abutment, and crown) in the San Diego area typically runs between $3,000 and $4,500. Costs vary depending on your specific case — for example, if bone grafting is needed, or if you are replacing multiple teeth with a bridge or implant-supported denture. We will give you a clear, itemised estimate at your consultation before any treatment begins.
Cost varies by case. Your exact cost will be confirmed at your consultation
We offer financing options to help spread the cost of treatment into manageable monthly payments. Ask our front desk team about current financing plans when you call or come in. Jasmin and Mina at the front desk are happy to walk you through what is available.
The honest answer is that implants almost always cost less in the long run than alternatives like dentures or bridges — which often need repair or replacement every 5 to 10 years. An implant, with proper care, can last 20 to 30 years or more. It also protects your jaw bone. When a tooth is missing and not replaced, the bone underneath starts to shrink. That changes your facial structure over time. An implant is the only restoration that prevents that from happening.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that gets placed into your jaw bone to act as a tooth root. Once it fuses with the bone — a process called osseointegration — it becomes a stable base for a crown, bridge, or denture. The finished restoration looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Most healthy adults are candidates. The main requirements are enough jaw bone to support the implant, healthy gums, and no untreated periodontal disease. If you have bone loss, bone grafting can often rebuild the foundation. Medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can affect healing, which is why we do a full health review at your consultation.
The implant post itself can last a lifetime with proper care. The crown attached to it typically lasts 15 to 25 years before it may need replacement — similar to other dental restorations. Regular brushing, flossing, and six-month check-ups are the best way to protect your investment.
Most patients are surprised by how little they feel during placement. We use local anaesthesia, and many people describe the procedure as less uncomfortable than a tooth extraction. Post-procedure soreness is normal for a few days and is managed with over-the-counter pain relief in most cases.
From consultation to final crown, the process typically takes 3 to 6 months — most of that is healing time, not active treatment. Some patients who need bone grafting will need extra time. We will give you a realistic timeline specific to your case at your first visit.
Over time, the jaw bone where the tooth was starts to deteriorate — it needs the stimulation of a tooth root to stay dense. Adjacent teeth can also begin to shift into the gap, which changes your bite alignment. Replacing the tooth, ideally with an implant, prevents both of those issues.
Yes. A dental bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors for a false tooth. Partial or full dentures are another option for multiple missing teeth. Implants are generally the longest-lasting and most functional option, but we’ll go over all your choices so you can decide what fits your situation and budget.
Yes — Dr. Sigafoos, our in-house periodontist, performs bone grafts when needed. We can handle that prep work here without referring you to another office.
