A dental implant is a titanium or zirconia post placed in the jawbone that replaces the root of a missing tooth and supports a crown, a bridge or a full-arch prosthesis. With Dr. Mendoza, implant treatment is planned and priced after a free virtual assessment, because it depends on how many teeth are missing and on your bone. Implants usually need more than one trip, since the bone needs time to heal around them.
Options
| Option | When it is used |
|---|---|
| Single implant + crown | One missing tooth, healthy teeth on both sides |
| Implant-supported bridge | Several missing teeth in a row |
| Full arch on implants (e.g. All-on-4 / All-on-6) | Most or all teeth in an arch missing or failing — a fixed set of teeth on 4–6 implants |
| Implant-supported (snap-in) denture | A removable option that stays firmly in place |
All-on-4 vs. All-on-6
Both replace a full arch with fixed teeth. All-on-4 uses four implants, angled to make the most of the available bone. All-on-6 adds two more implants to spread the chewing forces, which some patients with enough bone prefer. The right choice depends on your bone volume and bite — that is decided in your evaluation.
Why implants usually take more than one trip
After an implant is placed, the bone bonds to it over several weeks to months (osseointegration). A common plan is: a first trip for evaluation, any extractions and implant placement, often with temporary teeth; and a second trip for the final teeth once healing is complete. Your plan tells you how many trips you need before you commit.
Implants or veneers?
Veneers cover the front of teeth you still have; implants replace teeth you don't. Many full-mouth plans combine both — implants where teeth are missing, veneers or crowns on the rest — so the whole smile matches. See full mouth rehabilitation.
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