Losing one or more teeth changes more than a smile. It can affect the way you chew, speak, and feel about showing your teeth in photos — and it can lead to bone loss in the jaw over time if the gap is left untreated.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we provide dental implants in Newport Beach that look, feel, and function like the real thing. Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, works alongside our in-house periodontist and implant specialist to handle every stage of implant care in one office — from the surgical placement to the final restoration. Patients with missing teeth throughout Orange County come to us because they want a single, trusted team handling everything, without referrals between offices.
Achieve your dream smile with cosmetic dentistry and flexible financing that makes transformation affordable.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that acts as an artificial tooth root. Once it is placed in the jawbone, it fuses with the bone over several months in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Unlike removable dentures, implants stay fixed in place, so you never have to worry about slipping or clicking while you eat or talk.
Implants also help preserve the jawbone itself. When a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported it can begin to shrink from lack of stimulation. An implant recreates that stimulation, helping maintain the shape of your jaw and the structure of your face.
We know that visiting multiple offices for a single procedure can feel like an added hassle when you are already anxious about dental work. That is why we handle the entire implant process here, including the surgery itself, with our in-house periodontist and implant specialist overseeing placement.
Having a periodontist on our team means the surgical portion of your treatment is handled with the same precision and attention as the restorative side. From the initial evaluation through the placement of the implant post, our team coordinates every step so nothing falls through the cracks between a surgeon’s office and a restorative dentist’s chair.
Not every patient has enough bone density to support an implant right away, especially if a tooth has been missing for a while. Bone grafting adds material to the jaw in the area that needs reinforcement, giving the implant a solid foundation to bond with over time.
We evaluate your bone structure during your consultation using digital imaging, so we can tell early on whether grafting is recommended. If it is, we walk you through what the procedure involves and how it fits into your overall treatment timeline before moving forward with anything.
Patients considering implants in the upper back jaw sometimes need a sinus lift first. This procedure adds bone beneath the sinus cavity when the natural bone is too thin to support an implant, which is common in this part of the mouth due to the sinuses’ proximity to the tooth roots.
A sinus lift may sound intimidating, but it is a well-established part of implant dentistry, particularly for molars and premolars along the upper arch. Our team evaluates whether this step applies to you as part of your initial implant consultation, so there are no surprises once treatment begins.
Our practice is rooted in biomimetic dentistry, which means we prioritize approaches that preserve as much of your natural tooth structure and surrounding teeth as possible. When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, this philosophy shapes why we often recommend an implant over a traditional bridge.
A bridge typically requires grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the replacement tooth. An implant, on the other hand, stands on its own without altering the teeth next to it, which means your neighboring teeth stay untouched. For patients who want to replace a tooth without sacrificing the health of the teeth around it, an implant is often the more conservative option.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults aged 20 to 64 have an average of 25.5 remaining teeth, and 2.2 percent of adults in that age range have no remaining teeth at all. Replacing even one missing tooth can make a meaningful difference in long-term oral health, and implants are often the most durable way to do it.
Once your implant has fused with the jawbone, the next step is the restoration, whether that is a crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant post. For single-tooth implant restorations, we use CEREC technology to design and mill a custom crown in our office, often within a single visit.
This means fewer appointments and less time walking around with a temporary crown while you wait on an outside lab. Your restoration is crafted to match the shape, color, and bite of your natural teeth, so the finished result blends in seamlessly.
Most adults with missing teeth are candidates for dental implant treatment. Age alone is rarely a limiting factor — what matters most is your overall health, the condition of your gums, and whether adequate bone is present at the implant site. Before recommending implants, we evaluate the following:
If you have been told in the past that you are not a candidate due to bone loss, that may no longer be the case. Our in-house periodontist evaluates bone grafting and sinus lift options that can make implant treatment possible for patients who were previously turned away.
Both dental implants and traditional bridges can replace a missing tooth effectively, but they work very differently. The right choice depends on the condition of your neighboring teeth, your bone health, and your long-term goals.
| Dental Implant | Traditional Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Anchored in the jawbone — stands independently | Supported by crowns placed on neighboring teeth |
| Impact on Neighboring Teeth | None — adjacent teeth are left untouched | Requires grinding down healthy adjacent teeth |
| Jawbone Preservation | Yes — stimulates bone to prevent resorption | No — bone beneath the gap continues to shrink |
| Lifespan | Implant post designed to last a lifetime; crown 10–15 years | Typically 7–10 years before replacement is needed |
| Cleaning | Brushed and flossed like a natural tooth | Requires floss threaders or a water flosser under the pontic |
| When a Bridge May Make Sense | — | If neighboring teeth already need crowns, or if bone loss makes surgery more complex |
From a biomimetic standpoint, an implant is almost always the more conservative choice for patients with healthy adjacent teeth — it replaces what is missing without altering what remains. That said, we evaluate every situation individually and will give you an honest recommendation based on your specific bone structure, oral health history, and goals.
Every implant case is different, which is why we start with a thorough consultation before recommending a treatment path. Here is how the process typically unfolds:
Every stage builds on the one before it, and we keep you informed of your progress along the way so you always know what comes next.
We see patients from all over Orange County who are looking for a long-term solution to missing teeth, including those coming from Costa Mesa, Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach. Whether you are missing a single tooth or need a more involved solution like an implant-supported denture, our team designs a plan around your specific bone structure, oral health history, and goals.
We also frequently restore implants placed elsewhere, so if you have already had a consultation with a specialist outside our office, we can pick up where that conversation left off.
With proper care, the titanium implant post is designed to last a lifetime. The crown may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear. Traditional bridges typically last 7–10 years and dentures 5–8 years, so implants are usually more cost-effective over time despite a higher upfront cost.
Most patients are surprised by how manageable the procedure is. Local anesthesia is used throughout, and sedation options are available for patients with dental anxiety. Post-procedure discomfort is typically mild and well-managed with over-the-counter medication. Most patients return to normal activity within a day or two.
The complete timeline typically ranges from 3–9 months depending on your situation. This includes consultation, any preparatory procedures like bone grafting, the implant placement appointment, a healing period of 3–6 months for osseointegration, and final restoration. Temporary teeth can be placed during healing so you are never without a smile.
Bone grafting can build up insufficient bone density and create a solid foundation for implants. Advances in grafting techniques and implant design now make treatment possible for many patients who were previously told they were not candidates. Dr. Sharbash will evaluate your specific situation during a consultation and explain all available options.
Coverage varies widely by plan. Many PPO plans now provide partial coverage for implant-related procedures, and related work like extractions or the final crown may be covered even when the implant post itself is not. The team verifies your benefits upfront so you know exactly where you stand before treatment begins. CareCredit and Cherry financing are also available for costs not covered by insurance.
A traditional bridge requires filing down the two healthy adjacent teeth for support. An implant stands independently without affecting neighboring teeth, preserves jawbone, and typically lasts significantly longer. From a biomimetic standpoint, the implant is the more conservative choice because it causes no damage to surrounding healthy tooth structure.
Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure by slowing healing and reducing blood flow to the surgical site, but it does not automatically disqualify you. Many smokers receive implants successfully with proper planning and a commitment to quitting or significantly reducing smoking around the time of surgery. Active gum disease must be treated and stabilized before implant placement — healthy gum tissue is essential for long-term success. We evaluate both factors during your consultation and give you a clear, honest picture of your candidacy.
The total cost of a single dental implant varies depending on whether preparatory work like bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed, and what type of restoration is placed. During your consultation, our team provides a full cost breakdown before any treatment begins so there are no surprises. We accept most PPO insurance plans, and CareCredit and Cherry financing are available to make treatment more manageable — including low- or no-interest payment plans.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you do not have to settle for a gap in your smile or a removable denture that never quite feels secure. Dr. Sharbash brings her background as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, along with a biomimetic and minimally invasive philosophy, to every implant case, and our in-house periodontist and implant specialist handles the surgical side of treatment right here in our office, from bone grafting and sinus lifts through final placement.
We also offer CEREC same-day crowns for many implant restorations, along with financing options through CareCredit and Cherry to help make treatment more manageable. To find out whether dental implants are the right fit for your smile, contact us to schedule a consultation with our team.
Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need. Schedule a sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Sharbash today.
