A dental implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth, topped with a custom crown. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides dental implants in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Because the post sits in bone, the new tooth does not rely on the teeth beside it. Call (310) 542-6988 to find out whether an implant fits your situation.
How a Dental Implant Works
Every implant has three parts. The implant itself is the post that goes into the bone. The abutment is a connector that attaches to the post and rises just above the gum. The crown is the visible tooth, made to match the shape and shade of your other teeth.
Over the months after placement, the bone grows tightly against the post. Dentists call this osseointegration, and it lets an implant handle normal biting force. Bone under a gap slowly shrinks, and an implant puts load back on it, which helps preserve it.
One Tooth, Several Teeth or a Full Arch
A single missing tooth is usually replaced with one implant and one crown. Two or three missing teeth in a row can often be replaced with two implants holding a bridge, so you do not need a post for every tooth. Implants can also hold a removable denture in place so it no longer slips.
When most or all of the teeth in a jaw need replacing, a full arch of fixed teeth on four or more implants is a different treatment with its own planning.
The Dental Implant Process, Step by Step
- Exam and 3D imaging. We check your teeth, gums and health history, and a cone beam 3D scan shows the height and width of the bone and where nerves and sinuses sit.
- Preparing the site. A failing tooth may need to come out first. If the bone is too thin, bone grafting can rebuild it before or during implant placement.
- Placing the implant. The area is numbed and the post is set into the bone. Where it suits the case, a computer-guided navigation system can help place the post in the planned position.
- Healing. The bone bonds to the implant over the following months, often three to six. You may wear a temporary tooth during this time.
- Abutment and crown. Once the implant is stable, the abutment is attached and your final crown is fitted and checked against your bite.
If you feel anxious about the surgical step, ask about sedation options at your consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate
Most adults who have lost a tooth can be considered for an implant. Age alone is not a barrier. The things that matter are enough healthy bone, healthy gums and a body that heals well.
Some conditions can delay an implant or make it a poor choice:
- Active gum disease, which needs treatment first
- Diabetes that is not well controlled, which slows healing
- Smoking, which raises the risk of the implant failing to bond
- Past radiation treatment to the jaw, or certain bone medications
- A jaw that is still growing, so implants are usually not placed in children or young teens
Thin bone on its own rarely rules you out, because grafting can often rebuild it.
How Long Implants Last
Implants have a strong long-term record. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Dentistry found that between about 93% and 96% of implants were still in place after 10 years, with 93.2% as the authors’ more conservative estimate. The same review found survival was somewhat lower in patients 65 and older once missing follow-up data was accounted for, so an honest answer depends on your health and habits. The crown on top is a separate part and may need replacing after years of wear, even when the implant stays put.
Implant, Bridge or Denture
A traditional bridge crowns the teeth on each side of a gap and holds a false tooth between them. It is quicker and needs no surgery, but it means reshaping those neighboring teeth and does nothing for the bone under the gap. It can still be the sensible choice when the teeth beside the gap already need crowns.
A removable denture is the least costly option and also needs no surgery. It can feel loose, and the bone underneath keeps shrinking, so it needs adjusting over time. An implant costs more up front but stands on its own. Ask us to price all three side by side.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations. At your consultation he will review your scan with you, explain which way of replacing the tooth fits your mouth and your budget, and plan the crown that completes the implant.
What Dental Implants Cost in Redondo Beach
A single dental implant at Redondo Beach Dental Group typically costs $3,000 to $6,000, which includes the implant, the abutment and the final crown. Where your case falls in that range depends on the tooth, the materials, and whether you need extra steps first. An extraction, a bone graft or a 3D scan can add to the total. Ask for an estimate after your exam so you have the full number before treatment starts.
Dental insurance often pays toward part of an implant, though some plans cover only the crown and annual maximums limit what any plan pays in a year. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Caring for Your Implant
- Expect some swelling and soreness for a few days after placement, and follow the instructions we give you
- Brush twice a day and clean around the implant with floss or a small interdental brush
- Keep regular checkups, and avoid smoking, which affects healing
- Call us if the gum around the implant bleeds or swells, or the crown feels loose
Gum infection around an implant, called peri-implantitis, can cause bone loss over time, which is why cleaning and checkups matter after healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a single tooth implant cost?
A single tooth implant at Redondo Beach Dental Group typically costs $3,000 to $6,000, including the implant, abutment and crown. An extraction, bone graft or 3D scan can add to that, so ask for an estimate after your exam.
How long after a tooth is pulled can you get an implant?
The time between an extraction and an implant depends on the bone and gum at that spot. In some cases the implant can be placed the same day the tooth comes out. More often the site is left to heal for a few months first, sometimes with a bone graft placed at the time of the extraction to protect the space.
What disqualifies you from dental implants?
Few things permanently disqualify someone from dental implants. Untreated gum disease, poorly controlled diabetes, heavy smoking, past radiation to the jaw, some bone medications and a jaw that is still growing can delay treatment or make it a poor choice. Thin bone can often be rebuilt with a graft.
Is it worth getting dental implants at 70?
Dental implants can be a good option at 70 or older, because age alone is not a barrier. General health, bone quality and how well you heal matter more. One 2019 review found implant survival somewhat lower in people over 65, which is worth discussing with your dentist alongside a bridge or denture.
What is better, a ceramic or a titanium implant?
Titanium implants are the most widely used and have the longest research record behind them. Ceramic implants, usually made of zirconia, are a metal-free option, but there is less long-term data on them. Your dentist can explain which material suits your case.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is fully numbed before an implant is placed, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Soreness and swelling for a few days afterward are common. Patients who feel nervous can ask about sedation.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Insurance coverage for dental implants varies by plan. Some plans pay part of the implant and crown, some pay only for the crown, and annual maximums limit what any plan pays in a year. Ask us how your plan applies to this treatment.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online. Dental implants are one part of the restorative dentistry we provide in Redondo Beach.