Dental Implants
in Scottsdale
Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. With an in-house periodontist and 3D CBCT planning, the whole process happens at Scottsdale Dental Aesthetics — you are not sent between practices.
The short answer
An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone that holds a crown, a bridge or a full arch of teeth. Expect three to six months from placement to the final tooth while the bone heals around the post. A 3D CBCT scan first shows whether you have enough bone, or whether you need a graft.
Restorative Dentistry
What Are Dental Implants?
An implant restoration has three parts. The implant itself is a titanium, screw-shaped post placed in the jawbone, where it does the job your natural tooth root used to do. The abutment is a connector secured to the implant. The restoration — a crown, bridge or denture — is what you actually see and chew with.
That structure is why implants behave differently from a bridge or a denture. Because the post sits in bone rather than resting on the gum, it transmits force into the jaw the way a real root does — which is what keeps the bone from receding.
Implant Restorations We Offer
From a single missing tooth to a complete arch.
Single Implants
A single tooth implant consists of a dental crown placed on an implant to replace a missing tooth. Your implant crown will mimic the function and appearance of a natural tooth, leaving you with a stable and durable restoration.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Ideal for replacing two or more adjacent teeth. Your restoration is attached to dental implants on either side of the gap, delivering superior function and comfort compared with a conventional bridge.
Overdentures
These implant-supported dentures require as few as two implants to hold your denture in place. Removable overdentures offer a more comfortable, stable and functional alternative to traditional dentures.
All-on-4
Designed to replace a complete arch of missing teeth, using as few as four implants per arch for support. This delivers full-arch stability and durability without an implant for every tooth.
What Is the Dental Implant Procedure?
The planning phase is critical to the success of the procedure, which is why it gets as much attention as the surgery.
3D Planning
We capture 3D scans of your teeth and oral structures using our cone beam CT (CBCT) unit. The images let us evaluate soft tissue, nerve pathways and bone density, and to create a surgical guide that fixes the exact position of each implant before surgery begins.
Implant Placement
Our in-house periodontist places the implants, so you are not referred out to another practice for the surgical stage. For All-on-4 cases we collaborate with our partner oral surgeon.
Healing & Integration
Over several months the implant fuses to the jawbone, creating a foundation solid enough to carry a permanent restoration. You are not without teeth during this time — a temporary restoration is fitted where needed.
Your Final Restoration
Once healing is complete and the abutment is placed, we take 3D impressions for our dental lab. Your crown, bridge, overdenture or All-on-4 restoration is then fitted and the bite adjusted.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
They look and feel natural
Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. You can eat, talk and smile confidently without worrying that your replacement teeth may shift or slip out of place.
They prevent bone loss
Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone deterioration that follows tooth loss. Preserving the bone helps maintain your facial structure and avoids the sunken appearance common with missing teeth.
They protect your other teeth
An implant stops the adjacent teeth drifting out of position, and it redistributes the forces of your bite — which helps prevent uneven wear, fractures and TMJ pain.
They last
Dental implants have a success rate of over 95%. With proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime.
Dental Implants — FAQ
How long does the whole implant process take?
Most cases run from three to six months from placement to final restoration, because the implant has to fuse to the jawbone before it can carry a crown. Planning and placement themselves are quick; the healing is what takes the time. We will give you a timeline specific to your case after your CBCT scan.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The placement is done under local anaesthetic and most patients describe it as more comfortable than they expected — closer to an extraction than to major surgery. Soreness and some swelling for a few days afterwards is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Sedation options are available if you are anxious.
Am I a candidate if I have been missing a tooth for years?
Often yes, but the jawbone thins where a tooth has been absent for a long time, so there may not be enough bone left to anchor an implant. That is exactly what the CBCT scan tells us. Where bone is insufficient, a graft can rebuild the site first. We will tell you honestly which category you fall into before you commit to anything.
Will my insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage varies widely. Some plans contribute toward the crown but not the implant itself, some cap the annual benefit well below the cost, and some exclude implants altogether. We check your specific benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment starts. Cherry financing is available to spread the balance.
How do I look after an implant?
The same way you look after your own teeth — brushing twice a day, flossing or using interdental brushes around the implant, and keeping your six-month visits. Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed and that is what causes implants to fail, so professional cleanings matter more rather than less.
What are the alternatives to an implant?
A conventional bridge or a partial denture. A bridge is quicker and usually cheaper, but it requires reshaping the healthy teeth either side and does nothing to preserve the bone under the gap. A denture is the least invasive and least expensive but the least stable. We will lay out the trade-offs for your particular gap rather than steering you to one answer.
Related treatments
Written by the Scottsdale Dental Aesthetics team. Treatment is provided by Dr. Omar Karaboulad, DMD and Dr. Richard Alverson, DDS.
Last updated . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Call (480) 991-3244 to ask about your own situation.
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