Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. The jawbone that once supported the root begins to shrink without stimulation, neighboring teeth can drift, and chewing gets harder. A dental implant addresses the whole problem: a small titanium post placed in the jaw acts as an artificial root, and a custom crown attached to it restores the visible tooth.
Because the implant integrates with your bone, it helps preserve jaw structure in the area of the missing tooth — something traditional bridges and removable dentures don't do. There's no grinding down of healthy neighboring teeth, and once restored, an implant is cared for much like a natural tooth: brushing, flossing, and regular checkups.
Pacifica Dental restores single missing teeth, multiple teeth with implant-supported bridges, and works with you on implant-supported options when more teeth are missing. Your consultation — complimentary for implants — covers imaging, candidacy, timeline, and clear costs before you decide anything.
Benefits of dental implants
Looks and feels natural
The crown is custom-shaded and shaped to blend with your smile; the implant is anchored like a root.
Protects your other teeth
No grinding down neighbors for a bridge, and no pressure on adjacent teeth from a partial.
Helps preserve jawbone
The implant stimulates bone the way a natural root does, helping maintain facial structure.
Built for daily life
Eat, speak, brush, and floss normally — no adhesives, no soaking, no removal.
Candidacy
Often a good fit
- Adults with one or more missing or failing teeth
- Patients with adequate jawbone, or who are candidates for grafting
- Non-smokers or those willing to pause smoking during healing
- Patients committed to good home care and follow-up visits
Worth discussing first
- Uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications, and heavy smoking can affect healing — we review your health history carefully first
- Significant bone loss may require grafting before implant placement
- Implants are generally placed after jaw growth is complete, so they're rarely appropriate for teenagers
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A consultation and exam are the only way to know which treatment fits your situation.
The process, step by step
- 1
Consultation & imaging
A complimentary implant consultation with imaging to assess bone, plan placement, and confirm you're a candidate.
- 2
Placement
The implant post is placed in the jaw under local anesthetic — sedation options are available if you're anxious.
- 3
Healing & integration
Over the following months the bone bonds to the implant. A temporary restoration can often cover the gap meanwhile.
- 4
Final restoration
A custom abutment and crown are attached, matched to your bite and smile.
Recovery & aftercare
- Mild soreness and swelling for a few days after placement is normal; most patients manage with over-the-counter medication.
- Stick to softer foods near the site while it heals, and keep the area clean as instructed.
- Long-term: brush, floss, and keep regular hygiene visits — implant health depends on gum health.
Limitations & considerations
- Treatment takes months, not days — the implant needs time to integrate with bone before the final crown.
- Implants can fail in a small percentage of cases, and gum disease around an implant (peri-implantitis) is possible without good hygiene.
- Placement is a surgical procedure with the usual surgical considerations; we review risks specific to your health history at the consultation.
- Results and timelines vary by patient.
Alternatives to consider
- Fixed bridge (faster, but involves reshaping neighboring teeth and doesn't preserve bone)
- Removable partial or full denture (lower upfront cost, less stability)
- No treatment — a legitimate option we'll explain honestly, including what typically happens to bone and neighboring teeth over time
What affects the cost
- Number of implants and type of restoration (single crown vs. bridge)
- Whether extractions or bone grafting are needed first
- Sedation preferences
- Insurance contribution varies by plan; financing through CareCredit and other lenders can spread costs — ask us
Reading that helps you decide
Dental Implants FAQs
Does getting an implant hurt?
Placement is done under local anesthetic, and sedation is available. Most patients report the recovery is more comfortable than they expected, with a few days of manageable soreness.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically several months from placement to final crown, because the bone needs time to integrate with the implant. Your timeline depends on healing, and on whether grafting or extractions come first.
How long do implants last?
With good hygiene and regular checkups, implants can last many years — often decades. The crown on top may need replacement over time from normal wear. No dental restoration can be guaranteed for life.
Am I too old for implants?
Age by itself is rarely the deciding factor — overall health and bone are what matter. We evaluate candidacy individually at your consultation.