Dental Implant FAQs
Answers to Common Questions About Dental Implants in Beverly Hills
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Everything patients ask before implant treatment
Considering dental implants often comes with questions about candidacy, bone loss, treatment time, discomfort, cost, recovery, and long-term care.
Many adults who are missing one or more teeth may be candidates for dental implants. Important factors include your jawbone, gum health, medical history, oral health, smoking or tobacco use, and the location of the missing teeth.
Bone loss does not automatically disqualify you. Some patients can receive implants using their existing bone, while others may require bone augmentation before or during implant treatment.
A clinical examination and 3D CBCT scan allow Dr. Shams to evaluate your individual anatomy and treatment options.
Possibly.
Having insufficient bone for one implant approach does not necessarily mean implants are impossible.
Depending on your anatomy and the number and location of missing teeth, options may include:
• Bone grafting
• Ridge augmentation
• Sinus augmentation
• Alternative implant positioning
• Full-arch implant treatment in selected cases
Some patients may qualify for implant treatment without a separate bone-grafting procedure, while others require augmentation to establish adequate support.
A 3D evaluation is necessary to determine which options are appropriate.
Age alone does not determine whether someone can receive dental implants.
Overall health, bone condition, gum health, medications, healing capacity, and ability to maintain the implants are generally more important considerations.
Healthy older adults may still be candidates for implant treatment after appropriate evaluation.
Active periodontal disease generally needs to be addressed before or as part of implant treatment.
Healthy gums and appropriate periodontal support are important for long-term implant maintenance.
A history of gum disease does not necessarily prevent someone from receiving implants, but it can influence treatment planning and the need for ongoing professional maintenance.
Smoking does not automatically make implant placement impossible, but tobacco use is associated with impaired healing and a higher risk of implant and periodontal complications.
Patients should discuss smoking, vaping, nicotine use, and other relevant habits with their dentist before implant surgery so these factors can be considered during treatment planning.
A dental implant is a biocompatible fixture placed in the jawbone to replace the root portion of a missing tooth.
After placement, the surrounding bone heals around and establishes contact with the implant surface through a process called osseointegration.
Once appropriate healing and stability have been achieved, the implant can support a dental crown, bridge, removable implant-retained denture, or fixed full-arch restoration depending on the treatment plan.
It depends on how many teeth are missing and what type of restoration is planned.
A single missing tooth may be replaced with one implant and crown.
Several adjacent missing teeth may sometimes be replaced with an implant-supported bridge using strategically positioned implants rather than placing one implant for every missing tooth.
A complete arch can be restored using multiple implants supporting either a fixed or removable prosthesis.
The exact number and position of implants are determined after evaluating your anatomy, bone, bite, and restorative needs.
No.
One implant is commonly used to replace a single missing tooth, but multiple missing teeth do not necessarily require one implant for every tooth.
An implant-supported bridge can use fewer strategically positioned implants to support several replacement teeth.
For complete-arch treatment, multiple implants can support an entire fixed or removable prosthesis.
Sometimes.
Immediate implant placement means an implant is placed during the same appointment in which the tooth is extracted.
Whether this is appropriate depends on factors such as:
• Available bone
• Extraction socket anatomy
• Gum condition
• Infection
• Implant stability
• Tooth location
• Esthetic requirements
If immediate placement is not appropriate, the extraction site may be allowed to heal or undergo socket preservation before implant placement at a later appointment.
Not everyone does.
Bone grafting may be recommended when there is insufficient bone volume or when preserving or rebuilding the ridge can improve the foundation for implant treatment.
Depending on the situation, grafting may be performed before implant placement or at the same time as implant surgery.
A 3D CBCT evaluation helps determine whether augmentation is necessary.
3D-guided implant treatment uses three-dimensional imaging and digital planning to evaluate the patient’s anatomy and plan implant position.
Dr. Shams uses 3D-guided implant planning to consider factors such as available bone, implant position, surrounding anatomy, and the future restoration before surgery.
This provides detailed information for treatment planning and implant placement.
Dental implant surgery is performed with anesthesia to maintain comfort during treatment, and sedation may be available when appropriate.
After surgery, temporary soreness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising can occur. The amount of discomfort varies according to the extent of surgery, number of implants placed, whether grafting is performed, and individual healing response.
You will receive instructions for managing the surgical area during recovery.
Initial recovery from implant placement is different from complete biological healing.
Postoperative soreness and swelling generally occur during the early recovery period, while osseointegration continues for several months as the bone heals around the implant.
The total treatment timeline varies according to the implant location, bone quality, need for grafting, number of implants, healing response, and type of final restoration.
Treatment time varies considerably.
After implant placement, the implant typically requires a period of healing and osseointegration before receiving the final restoration.
Some cases require additional time for extraction or bone graft healing.
Qualified full-arch patients may receive temporary fixed teeth on the day of implant surgery, but this does not mean biological healing is complete. The implants continue integrating with the jawbone before the definitive restoration is completed.
Some patients receiving full-arch implant treatment may qualify for a temporary fixed restoration on the day their implants are placed.
These are temporary teeth, not the final prosthesis.
Patients must still follow postoperative dietary and care instructions while the implants heal and integrate with the jawbone.
Whether same-day temporary teeth are possible depends on implant stability, bone, anatomy, bite, and other clinical factors.
All-on-4 is a full-arch implant treatment concept in which four strategically positioned dental implants support a complete fixed arch of replacement teeth.
It can be an option for selected patients who have lost, or need to replace, most or all teeth in an upper or lower arch.
A 3D evaluation is necessary to determine whether All-on-4 or another full-arch implant configuration is appropriate.
Some patients may be able to receive All-on-4 treatment without a separate bone-grafting procedure because implant positions can be planned to make use of available bone.
However, All-on-4 does not eliminate the need for bone grafting in every patient.
Bone volume, anatomy, implant stability, sinus position, and other factors determine whether grafting or another surgical approach is necessary.
An All-on-4 fixed full-arch restoration is designed to remain attached to the implants and is not routinely removed by the patient.
This is different from an implant-retained or “snap-on” denture, which attaches to implants for improved stability but is removed by the patient for cleaning.
Dental implants are anchored within the jawbone and can support fixed or removable replacement teeth.
Traditional complete dentures rest primarily on the gums and are removable.
An implant-retained denture, sometimes called a snap-on denture, remains removable but attaches to dental implants for additional retention.
A fixed full-arch implant restoration is secured to implants and is not routinely removed by the patient.
The best option depends on your oral health, bone, functional needs, treatment goals, and budget.
A traditional dental bridge replaces a missing tooth by using neighboring teeth for support, which generally requires those supporting teeth to be prepared for crowns.
A single dental implant replaces the missing tooth without requiring healthy neighboring teeth to be reshaped for support.
For several adjacent missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge may use multiple implants to support the replacement teeth.
Neither treatment is automatically better for every patient.
Dental implants can replace missing teeth without relying on neighboring natural teeth, while traditional bridges may be appropriate in other clinical situations.
Bone condition, neighboring teeth, gum health, treatment time, cost, anatomy, and patient preferences all influence the decision.
Dental implants are designed as a long-term tooth-replacement option, but no specific lifespan can be guaranteed.
Longevity depends on factors such as:
• Oral hygiene
• Gum and bone health
• Smoking
• Medical conditions
• Bite forces
• Implant position
• Professional maintenance
• Individual biological factors
It is also important to distinguish the implant fixture from the restoration attached to it. A crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis may eventually require maintenance, repair, adjustment, or replacement even when the underlying implants remain healthy.
The implant itself cannot develop a cavity because it is not a natural tooth.
However, the gum and bone surrounding an implant can develop inflammatory disease.
Plaque accumulation can contribute to peri-implant mucositis and, in more advanced cases, peri-implantitis, which can affect the supporting tissues around an implant.
That is why daily hygiene and professional maintenance remain essential.
Implants require consistent daily and professional care.
Depending on the type of restoration, home care may involve:
• Toothbrushing
• Dental floss
• Floss threaders
• Interdental brushes
• Water flossers
• Other cleaning aids recommended for your restoration
Full-arch implant restorations require particular attention to cleaning beneath and around the prosthesis.
Your dental team can demonstrate the appropriate technique for your specific restoration.
Yes.
Even when natural teeth have been replaced, professional examinations remain important.
Your dentist needs to monitor:
• Gum health
• Bone surrounding the implants
• Implant stability
• Prosthetic components
• Bite
• Hygiene
• Wear or damage to the restoration
Dental implants eliminate cavities in the replaced teeth, but they do not eliminate the need for ongoing oral healthcare.
The cost of dental implant treatment varies because treatment is customized.
Factors can include:
• Number of missing teeth
• Number of implants
• Type of restoration
• Tooth extractions
• Bone grafting
• Sinus augmentation
• Complexity of surgery
• Full-arch vs. single-tooth treatment
At your consultation, Beverly Hills Cosmetic & Implant Center can provide a written treatment plan outlining the recommended treatment, timeline, and associated cost.
Coverage varies significantly between insurance plans.
Some dental insurance policies may contribute toward portions of implant treatment or related procedures, while others provide limited or no implant coverage.
The office can help review available benefits and assist with insurance documentation where applicable.
Yes. Beverly Hills Cosmetic & Implant Center offers financing options that may allow qualified patients to divide treatment costs into monthly payments.
Available terms depend on the financing option and patient eligibility.
Specific costs and payment options can be reviewed as part of your treatment consultation.
Dental implants are an established tooth-replacement treatment, but like any surgical procedure, they have potential risks and complications.
These can include:
• Infection
• Delayed healing
• Implant integration problems
• Gum or bone complications
• Injury to nearby anatomical structures
• Mechanical complications involving the restoration
Careful diagnosis, 3D planning, appropriate surgical technique, and ongoing maintenance are important components of implant treatment.
Yes. Although implants can provide long-term tooth replacement, an implant can fail to integrate or develop complications later.
Risk can be influenced by factors such as:
• Smoking
• Uncontrolled medical conditions
• Poor oral hygiene
• Insufficient bone
• Infection
• Excessive bite forces
• Peri-implant disease
• Individual healing response
If an implant develops symptoms or mobility, it should be professionally evaluated.
The implant fixture and visible replacement tooth are separate components.
A dental crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis is subject to years of chewing forces and may eventually require adjustment, repair, or replacement.
Needing restorative maintenance does not necessarily mean the implant itself has failed.
Your consultation is designed to determine what treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.
Evaluation may include:
• Review of your dental and medical history
• Examination of your teeth and gums
• 3D imaging
• Evaluation of available bone
• Discussion of missing or failing teeth
• Review of implant and restoration options
• Treatment timeline
• Written treatment plan and cost
This is also an opportunity to ask questions and compare treatment options before making a decision.
Your consultation includes an examination, 3D imaging as appropriate, and a personalized written treatment plan outlining the recommended treatment, anticipated timeline, and cost, with no obligation to proceed.
Dr. Tamir Shams has 19 years of dental implant experience and has placed more than 2,000 dental implants, including treatment for single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, and full-arch tooth replacement.
Find out which option is right for you
Your free consultation includes X-rays and a written treatment plan with timeline and cost. No obligation.