Titanium Implant Removal: Healing One Side at a Time
October 14, 2026 | Dr. Jigar Gandhi: Tooth and Body
Some patients come to Tooth & Body with problems on both sides of the mouth. In those cases, Dr. Jigar Gandhi often treats one side at a time. In the video above, he checks in with a patient after surgery on her left side, where he removed two titanium implants, cavitations, root canal treated teeth, and other teeth. She shares that she is feeling much better and is ready to have the other side treated.
This article covers what was done, why treatment is often staged, what happens when a patient is temporarily without back teeth, and what to expect along the way.
A Patient's Progress After Left Side Surgery
What Was Removed
Dr. Gandhi explains that when this patient first came in, her left side was bothering her the most. Treatment on that side included removing two titanium implants, cleaning out cavitations, and removing teeth that had root canals along with other teeth. It was a significant surgery that addressed several possible sources of irritation at once.
Feeling Better and Ready for the Next Step
At her follow-up, the patient says she is feeling so much better and is eager to get the other side done. Every patient's experience is different, but for many people, feeling improvement after the first stage makes the next stage easier to approach.
Why the Other Side Can Start to Stand Out
Dr. Gandhi points out something he sees with patients: once the side that was bothering them most is treated, the other side can become more noticeable. As he puts it, it is interesting how the immune system works. When the biggest problem area is addressed, attention can shift to the remaining areas that still need care.
This is one reason Dr. Gandhi plans treatment for both sides from the start. The first surgery is not the end of the plan. It is the first step in a process designed to address each area in an order that makes sense for the patient's comfort and healing.
Why Treatment Is Often Done One Side at a Time
Easier Recovery
Treating one side at a time means the patient can still chew on the other side while the first side heals. It can also make each surgery shorter and the recovery more manageable.
Room to Heal Between Stages
Spacing out surgeries gives the body time to recover between procedures. Dr. Gandhi supports healing with biological therapies such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) made from the patient's own blood, ozone therapy, red light laser, and the Bone Healing Protocol.
Why Remove Titanium Implants, Root Canal Teeth, and Cavitations?
Titanium Implants
Some patients choose to have titanium implants removed, often because of concerns about metal in the body or ongoing problems in the area around the implant. Biological dentists like Dr. Gandhi offer metal-free ceramic implants as an alternative. Learn more in our article on titanium vs. ceramic implants and why patients switch.
Root Canal Treated Teeth
A root canal treated tooth is no longer living. In some cases, infection can persist around the root or in the surrounding bone. Dr. Gandhi evaluates these teeth with 3D cone beam CT imaging and discusses the options with each patient.
Cavitations
Cavitations are areas of jawbone that did not heal properly, often at old extraction sites. They can hold compromised or infected tissue without causing obvious pain. To learn more, read our article on cavitation surgery patient stories.
What If You Have No Back Teeth on One Side?
After surgery, this patient no longer has molars on her left side and asked how she would chew. Dr. Gandhi reassured her that she will eventually have them back. Tooth replacement is planned after the area has healed, and for patients who want a metal-free option, ceramic implants may be considered.
In the meantime, patients can chew on the opposite side, choose softer foods, and follow their aftercare instructions closely. Your care team will guide you on what to eat and when it is safe to begin the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would titanium implants be removed?
Some patients choose removal because of concerns about metal in the body or ongoing problems around the implant. Dr. Gandhi evaluates each implant with 3D imaging and discusses the options, including metal-free ceramic implants.
Why does Dr. Gandhi treat one side of the mouth at a time?
Staging treatment lets patients chew on one side while the other heals, keeps each surgery more manageable, and gives the body time to recover between procedures.
Why does the other side bother me after the first surgery?
Dr. Gandhi notes that once the most troublesome area is treated, remaining problem areas can become more noticeable. This is a common reason treatment is planned for both sides from the start.
How will I chew if my back teeth are removed?
While healing, you can chew on the opposite side and choose softer foods. Teeth are replaced once the area has healed, and ceramic implants are one metal-free option.
Can root canal treated teeth cause problems?
In some cases, infection can remain around a root canal treated tooth or in the nearby bone. 3D cone beam CT imaging helps Dr. Gandhi evaluate these teeth before recommending treatment.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Gandhi
If you have titanium implants, root canal treated teeth, or old extraction sites you are concerned about, a thorough evaluation can help you understand your options. Visit Tooth & Body at 875 N Broadway, North Massapequa, NY 11758, or book a nationwide virtual consultation with Dr. Jigar Gandhi.
