Implant questions, answered plainly.

If you experience tooth loss or a tooth extraction, dental implants are often the most practical and lasting solution for restoring your smile. It is a common procedure for people who lose a tooth and prefer not to deal with the slipping and clicking of traditional dentures.

Unlike many other tooth replacement options, dental implants will not slip or make odd noises while you speak, laugh, or eat, which helps you feel more comfortable in your everyday life. Dental implants also help maintain the shape and mass of the jawbone, keeping your facial structure intact.

A dental implant consists of a metal post — typically titanium — that is placed into your jawbone. An abutment, also made of metal, is either built in or attached to the end of the post to connect it to your porcelain crown.

California Dental Implants Specialists combines compassionate, comprehensive restorative dental care. We specialize in dental implants and have a long track record of giving our patients reasons to smile again. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 714-418-4480.

Yes. Just because people cannot see a missing tooth does not mean it is not doing other damage. A missing tooth affects the bone in your jaw, because that spot no longer receives the stimulation your bone normally gets as you speak and chew. This lack of stimulation can lead to additional loss of bone mass and further lost teeth. Your remaining teeth can also crowd and shift into the open space a missing tooth creates.

With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, dental implants can last 20 years or more. The crown attached to the implant may eventually need replacement due to normal wear, but the implant post itself is designed as a long-term replacement for your tooth root.

The $699 dental implant special applies to the surgical placement of the titanium implant post only. It does not include the abutment, crown, or sedation — those parts are specific to your case and billed separately. During your consultation you receive a personalized treatment plan that spells out the full cost of your case before any work begins.

Coverage varies by plan. Some dental insurance plans cover parts of the procedure — such as extractions, the abutment, or the crown — but many plans do not cover the implant post itself. Our team will help you understand your plan and maximize any available benefits.

A complete dental implant typically involves the implant post, abutment, crown, imaging, surgery, and follow-up visits. Promotional offers often cover only part of that — our $699 special, for example, covers the titanium implant post only and does not include the abutment, crown, or sedation — so always ask for an itemized quote.

If a quote is significantly below average, check what is excluded — imaging, the crown, or a bone graft are common omissions. If a quote is higher, it may reflect more advanced techniques or materials.

Yes. We offer All-On-4 and All-On-X full-arch restorations for patients who need to replace many or all of their teeth.

No — age alone does not disqualify you from dental implants. Candidacy depends on factors like your overall health, jawbone density, and gum health, not your age. An implant specialist can evaluate whether implants are right for you during a consultation.

This varies from case to case. Generally, an initial consultation is required to determine whether you are a candidate for the dental implant procedure. A later visit involves placing the implant into your jawbone, which then needs time to heal and bond. Finally, an individual tooth, an implant-supported dental bridge, or dentures containing multiple teeth are attached to your abutment.

Most patients report only mild discomfort for a day or two after surgery. Local anesthesia keeps the procedure itself comfortable, and sedation options are available for patients who want them.