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Considering Dental Implants?
Here’s Everything You Need to Know

A missing tooth not only affects your appearance, but it can also impact on your ability to chew, speak correctly, and smile. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several solutions, including dental implants, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures.

Dental implants are listed first because they are widely considered the most natural and longlasting solution. Patients forget they ever had a missing tooth since dental implants function like a real tooth.

By the end of this post, you will understand everything you need to know about dental implants, such as what they are, who is a good candidate, how the procedure works and how long each stage usually takes, how long dental implants last, and what to expect in terms of cost and insurance coverage.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is made of titanium. It is placed where the natural tooth root is located, in the jawbone. Over time, this titanium artificial root fuses with the bone. Once healed, an appropriately sized crown is made and then attached to it to restore the function and appearance of a natural tooth.

Figure 1. Structure of a Dental Implant System.⁸

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

For an implant to work for you, you need:

A jawbone that is fully developed and has sufficient bone density
Healthy gums
To not have a health condition that does not allow bone healing
To not smoke (specifically tobacco)

Is not having enough bone the end of the road for a patient? The answer is no, since a dentist, prior to placing an implant, can perform a bone graft procedure. Bone grafts (a bone-like material that helps your body create real bone) are placed in the jawbone. The healing time is three to six months. Once the area becomes strong enough to support an implant, the implant is placed.¹

Who May Not Qualify for Dental Implants

An implant would not work for you, if you have:

Uncontrolled diabetic
Severe gum disease (periodontitis)
Insufficient jawbone without grafting
Active infection in the mouth
Certain immune disorders
Recent radiation therapy to the jaw
Poor oral hygiene habits
Bruxism (severe teeth grinding) without management
Heavy smoker
MRONJ (Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw)
Osteoporosis (decreased bone density)²

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

1. Single Tooth Implant This works for you if you are just missing one tooth. A single implant is placed into the jawbone. This is an ideal option compared to a bridge because bridges require shaving down healthy neighboring teeth.³

2. Implant-Supported Bridge This works for you if you are missing multiple teeth in a row. Two implants are placed into the jawbone to support a bridge that replaces several missing teeth. This is ideal since the patient would not need an implant for every single missing tooth; however, the patient has the freedom to have implants individually for all missing teeth.³

3. Full-Arch Implants (All-on-4 or All-on-6) This works for you if you are missing most or all of your teeth. Four or six implants are placed into the jawbone to restore an entire row of teeth. This is ideal for the patient who has extensive tooth loss and for whom a denture is a poor choice.³

What is an Overdenture?

An overdenture is a denture that is supported by sitting on either remaining natural tooth roots or dental implants instead of just being supported by the gums. This extra support helps the patients have a better ability to chew and speak because their denture is no longer loose.⁴
There are two main types:
Tooth-Supported Overdenture
This works for you if your dentist has been able to keep your natural tooth roots. Since
your jawbone is preserved this way, once you start using your denture, you will have
better stability.
Implant-Supported OverdentureThis works for you if you already have dentures and your natural tooth roots were notretained and reshaped, and they are slipping and shifting, causing discomfort while eatingor speaking. Four to six implants (upper dentures usually need 4–6 implants, and lowerdentures need 2–4 implants) are placed into the jawbone to secure the denture.
There are three main subtypes that can be chosen by your dentist.⁴
Snap on Overdentures: the dental implants have small ball-shaped attachments connected to them, so the denture can snap locked into place.⁴
Bar-Retained Overdentures: Where the dental implants have a thin metal bar connected to them that is under the gum, your denture clips onto the bar.⁴
Fixed Implant Overdentures: The denture is permanently attached to dental implants using screws that are covered by a composite to hide completely.⁴

What is the Process for Getting Dental Implants?

Step 1: Examination Evaluation
Dentist determines whether the patient is a good candidate. Additional procedures such as a bone graft or gum graft may be recommended if needed. X-rays or 3D scans are typically taken.⁵
Timeline: Initial diagnostic appointment

Step 2: Dental Implant Placement Day
While under local anesthesia, a hole is drilled into the jawbone and a medical grade titanium implant is screwed into the hole.⁵
Timeline: Procedure Time 1-2 hours per Implant Site

Step 3: Healing Period (Osseointegration)
The threads of the implant fuses with the jawbone to create a stable foundation (tooth root).⁵
Timeline: 3-6 months

Step 4: Scan andImpression
Digital scans or impressions are taken to create a custom-made crown that
matches the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth.⁵
Timeline: Scanning Appointment 1 Hour
1-2 weeks for lab to return

Step 5: Abutment
and Final Crown
Placement
After proper healing and fusion, a small connector piece (abutment) is placed
on top of the implant. A custom-made crown is attached once healing is
confirmed.⁵
Timeline: Final Appointment 1 Hour
1-2 weeks Healing Period

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Fortunately, months of visiting the dentist and waiting for the fusion and healing do not go to waste, since a dental implant can last 15–25 years, of course with good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and maintenance.⁶

What Is the Cost of Dental Implants and Will Insurance Help?

The cost of implants depends on what type of implants you need and whether extra procedures (a bone graft, gum graft, tooth extraction), besides the implant procedure, are needed. Thus, a consultation (that is often free) is preferred before deciding whether the patient wants the implant based on cost. Fortunately, the good news is that a dental implant is not entirely considered a cosmetic procedure, and some insurance plans are willing to pay for some steps. Our team can help all implant candidates, specifically Modesto residents, by reviewing their benefits and discussing financing options to make treatment more affordable.⁷

References
1. Mayo Clinic. Dental implant surgery. Mayo Clinic. 2024 Oct 23. Available from:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
2. Hannan M. Who is not suitable for dental implants? My Dental Advocate. 2025 Jul 22.
Available from: https://mydentaladvocate.com/who-is-not-suitable-for-dental-implants/
3. Implant Pathway. Understanding the 4 most common types of dental implant restoration.
Implant Pathway. 2025 May 13. Available from:
https://www.implantpathway.com/post/understanding-the-4-most-common-types-ofdental-implant-restoration
4. NewMouth. Overdentures. NewMouth. [Internet]. Available from:
https://www.newmouth.com/dentistry/restorative/dentures/overdenture
5. Magrabi Health. Dental implant stages in order. Magrabi Health. [Internet]. Available
from: https://www.magrabihealth.com/blog/dental-implant-stages-in-order
6. Toland Dental. How long do dental implants last with proper care? Toland Dental.
[Internet]. Available from: https://www.tolanddental.com/how-long-do-dental-implantslast-with-proper-care/
7. Delta Dental. Dental implant treatment cost. Delta Dental. [Internet]. Available from:
https://www.deltadental.com/protect-my-smile/procedures/dental-implant/treatment-cost/
8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dental implants: What you should know. FDA.
[Internet]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dentalimplants-what-you-should-know

Credits:
Authored by: Omar Halimi
Edited by: Stephanie Diego DDS MPH

Location

Our dental office is conveniently located in the central region of Modesto, California, within a professional complex.

Address: 1130 Coffee Rd, STE 8A, Modesto, CA 95355 Visit us Today

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Have Questions?

Stephanie Diego, DDS
Phone: 209-566-1990

Address: 1130 Coffee Rd Ste 8A, Modesto, CA 95355

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Considering Dental Implants? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

What Is a Dental Implant?

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Who May Not Qualify for Dental Implants

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

What is an Overdenture?

What is the Process for Getting Dental Implants?

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

What Is the Cost of Dental Implants and Will Insurance Help?

Considering Dental Implants?
Here’s Everything You Need to Know