How it works
The implant journey
- Step 1
Plan the tooth first
We start with the end in mind: where the final crown needs to be for your bite and smile. That plan guides everything.
- Step 2
Placement by a surgeon
A trusted local oral surgeon places the implant post — the specialists we'd send our own family to.
- Step 3
Your crown, here
Once the implant is ready, we design, fit, and attach your custom crown — back home at our office.
Long-term implant success lives and dies on gum health — our periodontal maintenance program protects the restoration for the long run.
Months, not appointments
What to expect
A dental implant is measured in months, not appointments. After the planning visit, the surgeon places the implant post; then comes the quiet part — typically 3 to 6 months while the implant integrates with the bone, a healing phase the placing specialist monitors. That wait is not a delay. It is the reason implants last: the crown attaches to an anchor that has truly become part of the jaw.
Once the surgeon confirms the implant is ready, the finishing work happens here, usually over a couple of visits: an impression of the implant, a custom crown made to match its neighbors, and a careful fitting so it sits right in your bite.
An implant is rarely a single decision — see how we plan treatment for how the surgical referral, the healing time, and the finishing work here are laid out in writing before anything begins.
Who an implant helps
Implants replace a single missing tooth or several, without leaning on the teeth beside them. Healthy gums and enough bone to hold the post matter most; overall health plays a part too. Planning starts here with the final tooth in mind, and the placing surgeon confirms whether the surgical side is right for you.
Good to know
Dental implant questions, answered
What is an implant restoration?
A dental implant has two parts: the implant post that a surgeon places in the jaw, and the visible tooth — the implant crown — that attaches to it. The implant restoration is that visible part. We design and fit the crown to look natural, sit right in your bite, and last.
Who places the implant itself?
We restore implants; trusted local surgeons place them. Dr. Patel coordinates the whole journey — planning the final tooth first, referring you to a trusted local surgeon for placement, then completing your crown here at the office where you're already at home.
Do you offer dentures or bridges?
Not here — dentures and bridges are referred to trusted local specialists. If you're replacing a missing tooth, an implant restoration is usually the first option we talk through, and Dr. Patel will help you weigh it against the alternatives before anything is decided.
How long do implant crowns last?
An implant crown typically serves 10 to 15 years of normal chewing — and when it wears out, it can usually be replaced without disturbing the implant post underneath. That's the design advantage: the part anchored in bone stays put while the visible tooth is renewed. We check the crown, its fit, and the gums around it at every regular visit.
How long do dental implants last?
The implant post itself — the part anchored in your jaw — can last for decades once it has healed and integrated with the bone. The visible crown attached to it is a separate piece and typically needs replacement sooner, often after 10 to 15 years of normal wear. Keeping the gums around the implant healthy is what protects that long lifespan most.
Does getting an implant crown hurt?
Typically not — attaching a crown to an implant involves no drilling into tooth structure, and local numbing is available if any step calls for it. Soreness after the surgical placement of the post itself is normal for a few days and is managed by the placing specialist.
Are dental implants safe?
Yes — dental implants have one of the longest research track records in modern dentistry, with decades of studies supporting their use. As with any procedure, your health history matters, which is why the journey starts with careful planning.
Can you get an MRI with dental implants?
Yes — dental implants are considered MRI-safe. Titanium is not ferromagnetic, so the post neither moves nor heats in the scanner. Mention the implant when you book the scan; no other preparation is needed.
Can a dental implant get infected?
The gum and bone around an implant can develop an infection called peri-implantitis — much like gum disease around a natural tooth. It is a leading cause of implants failing years later, and it is largely preventable: daily cleaning at home and regular periodontal maintenance keep the tissue around the implant healthy. That ongoing gum care is a central part of how we protect an implant for the long term.
How long does the whole dental implant process take?
Most dental implant cases take several months from planning to finished crown — often 4 to 8 — and most of that is healing time. After the surgeon places the implant post, the bone typically needs 3 to 6 months to integrate with it, a phase the placing specialist monitors. Once the implant is ready, we design and fit your crown here over a couple of visits.
Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
Many adults missing one tooth or several are candidates, but it depends on gum health, having enough bone to hold the post, and your overall health. Planning starts here with the final tooth in mind, and the trusted local surgeon who would place the implant confirms whether the surgical side is suitable for you. If an implant is not the right fit, we talk through the alternatives together.
What are dental implants made of?
Dental implant posts are made of titanium or, less commonly, ceramic (zirconia). Both are biocompatible — materials the body tolerates well — with decades of documented use. The crown that attaches on top is typically ceramic, matched to the shade of your neighboring teeth.
Related reading: what a dental crown is — the restoration that tops an implant
The planning and the finished crown both happen at our Glenmoor office on Mattos Drive, just off Fremont Boulevard — with free parking in the lot at the door.
Welcoming new patients
Considering an implant?
It starts with a conversation — reach us the way that's easiest for you.