Understanding Dental Implants: A Patient's Guide
By Dr. Harut Hakobyan, Olive Dental Studio · Burbank, CA
A comprehensive overview of the dental implant process, from initial consultation to final restoration.
Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth — more durable than bridges, more stable than dentures, and the closest thing modern dentistry has to a real tooth. They're also misunderstood. This is a clear, patient-focused guide to what implants are, how the process actually works, and how to decide if they're right for you.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium (or sometimes zirconia) post that's surgically placed into your jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over the next several months, your bone fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. Once it's fully integrated, we attach a crown on top — and you have what looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn't require us to grind down the teeth on either side of the gap. Unlike a denture, it doesn't move when you chew. And unlike both, an implant actually preserves the bone in your jaw, which would otherwise shrink over time wherever a tooth is missing.
The implant process, step by step
1. Consultation and 3D imaging. We take a CBCT (cone beam) scan that gives us a 3D view of your jaw — bone density, nerve location, sinus position. This is what makes precise implant placement possible. We also take impressions and photos.
2. Treatment plan. If everything looks straightforward, we'll outline the implant placement and final restoration. If you need bone grafting (because too much bone has been lost), or a sinus lift (in the upper jaw), we'll plan those preparatory steps. You leave the consultation with a written treatment plan and a transparent cost estimate.
3. Surgical placement. Implant placement is a relatively quick procedure (typically 1–2 hours for a single tooth) done under local anesthetic, with sedation options if you prefer. You can usually go back to work the next day.
4. Healing. Over the next 3–6 months, the implant fuses with your bone. During this time, you'll wear a temporary crown or flipper if the implant is in a visible spot. There's no daily inconvenience for most patients.
5. Final crown. Once integration is confirmed, we take impressions and craft your final crown — color-matched to your other teeth, contoured to fit the gum line naturally. Placement is quick and pain-free.
How long do implants last?
With good oral hygiene and routine dental care, modern implants have a 95%+ success rate at 10 years and routinely last decades. Many of them last for life. The crown on top can wear or chip after 10–15 years and may need replacement, but the implant itself usually doesn't.
Are you a candidate?
Most adults with one or more missing teeth are candidates for implants. The main factors we evaluate:
- Bone volume. The implant needs enough bone to anchor into. If you've been missing the tooth for years, bone may have shrunk — but bone grafting can rebuild it.
- Gum health. Active gum disease needs to be treated before placement.
- Overall health. Uncontrolled diabetes, certain bone medications (bisphosphonates), and heavy smoking can affect healing. We'll talk through any concerns.
- Age. There's no upper age limit. We've placed implants in patients in their 80s and 90s with great results. The lower limit is around 18, once jaw growth is complete.
What about full-arch ("All-on-4") cases?
If you're missing most or all of your teeth, you don't need an implant for every missing tooth. Modern full-arch restorations use 4–6 strategically placed implants to support a full bridge of teeth — replacing an entire arch in one stable, fixed restoration. It's a bigger procedure than a single implant, but life-changing for patients tired of dentures.
What does an implant cost?
A single dental implant in the Los Angeles area typically runs $4,000–$6,000 all-in (implant, abutment, and crown), with the cost varying based on bone work, location of the tooth, and lab choices. Insurance often covers a portion. CareCredit and other financing options can spread the cost over 12–24 months.
This is more than a bridge or a denture initially — but over a 20-year horizon, implants typically cost less than the alternatives because they don't need to be redone.
What we believe at Olive Dental Studio
Implants are precision dentistry. We don't cut corners on the planning (3D imaging on every case), the materials (premium implant systems with documented track records), or the lab (top-tier ceramic crowns, not the cheapest available). It's what we'd want for ourselves, and it's the standard we hold for our patients.
If you're missing a tooth and weighing your options, schedule a consultation. We'll review your specific situation, walk through alternatives honestly, and only recommend implants if they're the right fit. Call (818) 588-3244 or book online.