La Jolla's Trusted Oral Surgeon
Bay Park is one of those neighborhoods where people put down roots and stay — and when something comes up that needs a specialist, they want someone they can trust. McGann Oral Surgery is about 10 minutes from Bay Park on Front Street. Dr. Grant McGann is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has been taking care of patients from this part of the city since 2008.
Our Oral Surgery Services, Backed by Specialist Training
La Jolla has excellent general dental care along Prospect Street and throughout the Village. For oral surgery — implants, extractions, wisdom teeth removal, corrective jaw surgery — what matters is finding a surgeon whose training and technology are genuinely above average. Here is what Dr. McGann offers and why the distinction matters.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that addresses both the visible gap and the structural problem underneath. When a tooth root is lost, the jawbone begins to resorb. Implants stop that process by replacing the root with a titanium post that integrates with the bone and supports a crown that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Dr. McGann plans every case using in-office 3D CT imaging, the Dentsply Sirona Primescan intraoral scanner, and Osteoid CT surgical guides. This level of pre-surgical planning — uncommon in most practices — results in smaller incisions, reduced need for bone grafting, and outcomes that hold up over decades of normal use. Full osseointegration takes 3 to 6 months, most of which passes without patients noticing.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Third molars that are impacted, misaligned, or partially erupted create ongoing risk — infection, crowding, cyst formation, and root damage to adjacent teeth. Dr. McGann evaluates each tooth individually with in-office X-rays and CT imaging before making any recommendation.
Removal is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation depending on the clinical picture and patient preference. La Jolla patients who want to understand the procedure in full before committing to it are welcome to do exactly that at the consultation — no pressure to proceed until you’re ready.
Tooth Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved — from advanced decay, root fracture, periodontal bone loss, or failed prior treatment — a precise surgical extraction is the appropriate intervention. Dr. McGann performs extractions with the technique and tissue management that come from doing this full-time for over 16 years, and walks patients through every available next step at the same appointment.
Every implant case at McGann Oral Surgery begins with a complete three-dimensional picture of the patient's anatomy. In-office CT imaging, intraoral scanning, and digital surgical guides give Dr. McGann the precision to plan placement down to the millimeter — before the procedure begins. For La Jolla patients who expect their providers to use the best available tools, that standard is non-negotiable here.
Why La Jolla Patients Choose Dr. McGann
La Jolla residents research their providers. What they find with Dr. McGann is a surgical record and credential set that hold up to scrutiny.
He completed a 4-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. — a high-volume surgical training program — and received the AAOMS Resident Leadership and Community Service Award upon completing his residency in 2008. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a credential held by fewer than half of practicing oral surgeons in the U.S., and a member of AAOMS, CALAOMS, and the California Dental Association.
He has been at the same Front Street office since 2008, with the same core team — Rachel, Natalia, and Enrique — who have been there from the beginning.
What La Jolla patients tend to note after their first visit:
- Pre-surgical planning that goes beyond industry standard — in-house CT imaging, digital scanning, and surgical guide fabrication
- IV sedation without a hospital — available in-office for most procedures
- Personal post-operative call from Dr. McGann — every surgical patient, every time
- A consistent team — the same faces since 2008, which matters when you want continuity of care
Does McGann Oral Surgery Accept Insurance?
Yes. The practice is in-network with most major PPO dental plans — including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of CA, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, and United Healthcare. For procedures classified as medically necessary — corrective jaw surgery, sleep apnea treatment — medical insurance often applies instead of dental.
Enrique handles insurance and billing for every patient before any procedure and has been with the practice since 2008. See the full list of insurance plans we accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is McGann Oral Surgery from La Jolla?
About 20 minutes south via I-5. Take I-5 south from La Jolla and exit at Washington Street or Front Street. The office is at 3861 Front Street, CA 92103. Parking is available on-site.
How does Dr. McGann's training compare to a general dentist placing implants?
General dentists who place implants typically complete short continuing education courses — measured in days or weekends. Dr. McGann completed a 4-year hospital-based OMS residency specifically focused on surgical procedures including implant placement, complex extractions, jaw surgery, and anesthesia. The difference in training depth is significant, particularly for cases involving bone grafting, sinus proximity, or nerve management.
What is the Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
It’s the highest credential in the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty — awarded only to surgeons who pass a rigorous written and oral examination administered by the ABOMS. Fewer than half of practicing oral surgeons in the U.S. hold it. Dr. McGann has been board-certified since completing his residency in 2008.
Can procedures be performed under sedation without going to a hospital?
Yes. Dr. McGann is licensed to administer IV sedation in California, and the surgical team is certified in anesthesia monitoring and recovery. Most procedures — including implant placement, wisdom teeth removal, and extractions — can be performed under IV sedation entirely in-office. Learn more about anesthesia options.
Is a second opinion on a treatment plan appropriate to bring to Dr. McGann?
Absolutely. La Jolla patients occasionally come in after receiving a recommendation from another provider that they want evaluated independently. Dr. McGann will review your imaging, assess your situation, and give you his honest clinical perspective — whether or not that leads to a procedure at this practice.
What's the best route from La Jolla to the office?
Take Torrey Pines Road or I-5 south. Exit at Washington Street and head east, then turn right onto Front Street. The office is at 3861 Front Street, CA 92103. Get directions.
Serving La Jolla and the Surrounding Coastal Communities
McGann Oral Surgery regularly sees patients from La Jolla, Bird Rock, Pacific Beach, Torrey Pines, University City, and surrounding coastal and inland communities. For complex implant cases and corrective jaw surgery, patients travel from across the region.
La Jolla patients who want a board-certified oral surgeon with verifiable credentials, advanced surgical technology, and a practice built on 16 years of consistent results — the consultation is where that conversation starts.
Call (858) 874-8181 or schedule a consultation online. McGann Oral Surgery is located at 3861 Front Street, CA 92103 — get directions.