Dental Implants
Replacement of missing teeth with titanium implants, from single teeth to full-arch treatment, including zygomatic implants where bone is limited.
What it is and who it suits
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. It can support a crown, bridge or full-arch restoration. Implants may suit adults with missing teeth who are in good general health and have, or can have, enough bone to support them.
Consultation and planning
Planning uses 3D CBCT imaging to assess bone height and width and the position of nerves and sinuses. Treatment is coordinated with your restorative dentist, who designs and places the final tooth. If bone is insufficient, bone grafting or a sinus lift may be recommended first.
The procedure
The implant is placed into the bone through the gum. In some cases a temporary tooth can be attached the same day; more often the implant is left to integrate with the bone before the restoration is made. For a full arch of fixed teeth, or when upper-jaw bone is severely limited, see full-arch and complex implants, including zygomatic and pterygoid implants.
Anesthesia options
Implant placement is usually performed under local anesthesia, with sedation or general anesthesia available. Your surgeon will recommend the option that suits the procedure, your health and your preference. See Anesthesia & Sedation for more detail.
Recovery timeline
Risks
Risks include infection, bleeding, failure of the implant to integrate, injury to nearby teeth, sinus involvement in the upper jaw and, uncommonly, nerve injury causing numbness of the lip or chin. Smoking and some medical conditions increase the risk of implant problems.
Frequently asked questions
How long do implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, implants can last for many years.
Is the procedure painful?
The area is numbed and sedation is available; most people describe discomfort afterwards as manageable.
What if I do not have enough bone?
Bone grafting or a sinus lift may be recommended first or, in selected cases, zygomatic or pterygoid implants may be considered.
Your surgeons
Both surgeons provide the full range of oral surgery.
Youn Sagong, DDS
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Residency and chief residency, Yale. Assistant Clinical Professor, UCI Medical Center; operating privileges at Hoag Hospital and UCI Medical Center.
Wisdom teeth, extractions, dental implants and bone grafting.
Surgeon profile →
Andrei Marechek, MD, DDS
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Residency, Case Western Reserve University. Assistant Clinical Professor, UCI Medical Center; operating privileges at Hoag Hospital and UCI Medical Center.
Wisdom teeth, extractions, dental implants and bone grafting.
Surgeon profile →Performed by surgeons whose practice also includes corrective jaw surgery, TMJ surgery, reconstruction and facial aesthetic surgery.
