Implants & Dentures
Dental Implants
A titanium post in the jaw that holds a replacement tooth without touching its neighbors.
An implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, the bone grows against it over a few months, and then a crown is attached on top. The result stands on its own — the teeth either side are left completely untouched.
That independence is the main reason to choose one. A bridge borrows support from two neighboring teeth; an implant does not. It also keeps the bone in that spot working, which slows the shrinkage that follows a lost tooth.
It is not the right answer for everyone. It needs enough bone, healthy gums, and a healing period measured in months rather than weeks. Uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease and smoking all lower the odds, and we would rather discuss that honestly at the start than after.
Is this right for me?
- You are missing a tooth and the teeth either side are healthy and untouched.
- Your gums are healthy, or gum disease has been treated and is stable.
- You can give the process several months rather than needing the gap filled next week.
What to expect
Planning with 3D imaging
Imaging shows the bone height and width and where the nerve and sinus sit. This is what determines whether an implant is possible and where exactly it goes.
A graft, if it is needed
Where bone has shrunk, grafting rebuilds enough to hold an implant. That adds months, and we will say so upfront rather than discovering it midway.
Placing the implant
Done under local anesthetic in about an hour. Most people take an over-the-counter pain reliever that evening and go back to normal the next day.
Healing
Three to six months while the bone grows tightly against the post. You are not without a tooth during this time if the gap shows — we can make a temporary.
The crown
We scan, the lab makes the crown, and it is attached to the implant. From that point you clean it like a normal tooth, with floss around the base.
Your comfort
Almost everyone expects implant placement to be worse than it is. There is no cutting through tooth and no long drilling; the sensation is pressure. If surgery makes you anxious, tell us and we will talk through the options for keeping you comfortable before you commit to anything.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
How long do implants last?
Implants have a high long-term success rate and many last decades. We avoid calling anything permanent, because the gum and bone around an implant still need looking after — implants can develop their own version of gum disease if they are not cleaned.
Does it hurt?
The placement is done fully numb and most people report less discomfort afterwards than they expected — commonly less than an extraction. We give you specific written aftercare before you leave.
What if I do not have enough bone?
Grafting often solves it. Sometimes a bridge or a partial is the more sensible plan instead. The 3D imaging answers this before you have committed money to a path that will not work.
Does insurance cover implants?
Coverage varies a lot by plan, and many cover part of the crown even when they do not cover the post. We verify your specific benefits and give you a written breakdown of each stage before anything starts.
How do I clean around an implant?
Brush normally and floss around the base every day, the same as a natural tooth. Some people find a water flosser or a small interdental brush easier. We show you at the fit appointment.
Can I smoke during healing?
Smoking measurably reduces the chance an implant integrates, especially in the first weeks. We are not going to refuse to treat you, but we will be straight with you about how much it changes the odds.
Related services
Thinking about Dental Implants?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.