Dental Implants

At OC Dental Specialists, our top-reviewed cosmetic dentist works closely with patients to match them with their ideal solution. With dental implants, patients can bring a tooth back from the brink. Restore your tooth’s appearance and function with results that last for years.

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What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the top tier of tooth replacement options. The procedure involves placing specially designed titanium rods into the gums. Your body then naturally fuses these rods to the jawbone, providing excellent stability. These posts then serve as the foundation for a replacement tooth (or teeth, depending on your situation).

Our options for dental implants:

  • Crowns: The most common use of dental implants is to support a single crown. This artificial tooth is custom made to seamlessly blend in among your natural teeth.
  • Dentures: Implant-supported dentures continue to rise in popularity. These specialized dentures can be attached to implants in one of two ways. They can be permanently affixed, or they can be snap-ons, which you can remove for easy cleaning.
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Key Benefits of Dental Implants

  • Long-lasting solution
  • Natural look and feel to the tooth
  • Little to no diet restrictions
  • Pain-free treatment
  • Often covered by insurance
  • Restored tooth function
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How to Get Dental Implants

  • Consultation: We also start with an exam and consultation. Tooth loss can happen for a range of reasons, so we want to make sure implants suit your situation. We also explore each available option, giving patients the power to make informed decisions about their care.
  • Bone Grafting: Some patients may have decreased bone mass due to age, genetics, or going a long time with a missing tooth. Bone grafting allows patients to rebuild bone mass in preparation for dental implant placement.
  • Implant Placement: Surgical placement of the implant is quick and can be done with only local anesthetic. This procedure can take about 1 hour, but you will remain comfortable the entire time.
  • Abutment: Depending on your situation, the abutment may be placed with the implant or after the implant surgery has healed. The abutment serves as the connection between the implant and your new teeth.
  • Crown: Lastly, we affix your new tooth to the implant. We ensure it looks and feels right before attaching it either with cement or by screwing it on (depends on type of implant).

Schedule Your Appointment


Dental implants are a top-tier solution for restoring a smile affected by tooth loss. If you are considering dental implants in Irvine, consult our implant specialist to explore the best options for your unique needs. Call our office today to set up your appointment and lock in your dental implant consultation at OC Dental Specialists.

FAQ

The durability and function of dental implants make them a top choice for many patients. The best candidates are those who either need to replace entire rows of teeth or only a couple of teeth. For patietns who want an intermediate solution, they may best restore their smile with dental bridges or partial dentures.

We consult extensively with patients to build the right path forward for them. We evaluate factors like individual health, bone mass, budget, and more to recommend treatment options.

No part of the procedures for getting your dental implants should be painful. However, you may have some soreness and mild pain after the implant placement. However, your gums heal very quickly. So this should fade within a matter of days. Over-the-counter pain medication usually suffices to keep any discomfort manageable. Additionally, there can be some swelling, which can also resolve quickly.
The process for getting dental implants takes some time, but the results are proportional. A typical situation involves three to four visits over about a 6-month period. The timeline will also depend on if you need bone grafting or other preparatory treatments, such as tooth extraction. When consulting, we can give you an estimate for what your individual timeline might look like.
Your dental implant should last 25+ years up to a lifetime. These titanium posts are incredibly durable, especially once fused to the jawbone. The crown or abutment may eventually need replacing, though. However, these tend to last up to 15 years each as well. You can help prolong your replacement teeth with excellent oral health. Good dental hygiene, routine dental visits, and a healthy diet can all work toward longer-lasting benefits.

The stability of dental implants allows patients to keep their dietary choices free. You will still want to avoid biting down on very hard foods, but that also applies to your natural teeth. A well-made dental implant will handle most foods as readily as your normal teeth would.

You might notice your dental implant for a few days to weeks after it is placed. However, your body quickly adapts to having this new tooth. The implant should eventually feel like a normal part of your mouth. While it does not feel any sensation itself, this rarely stands out once you get used to it. Otherwise, your implants blend in seamlessly with your smile. Others will only notice a full set of teeth, not that one of them is artificial.
Dental implants tend to cost between $3,000 and $5,000 per tooth in Irvine. This cost can vary between patients and depends on a range of treatment factors. We provide each patient with a personalized quote that accounts for the complexity of their individual procedure.
While coverage for dental implants is not a standard benefit, many plans do provide some coverage for them. Usually, this coverage kicks in only if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. The amount of coverage can also vary significantly. We gladly work with patients to understand what their dental plan covers and how they can approach payment for dental implants.