New Permanent Teeth in 24 Hours

Restore Your Smile With Permanent Tooth Replacement in Los Angeles

Tooth loss affects more than your appearance — it changes how you eat, speak, and carry yourself every day. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone beneath it begins to deteriorate, surrounding teeth shift, and over time the entire bite can be compromised. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that addresses all of these consequences at once, replacing not just the visible crown but the root itself.

Dr. Jonathan R. Shadi and Dr. Saman Vahedi are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with advanced training in implant dentistry. Dr. Shadi earned his degree from the USC School of Dentistry and completed his OMFS training at the Veterans’ Affairs Hospital, while Dr. Vahedi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who completed his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. You can learn more about our team on our Meet Us page.

How Dental Implants Work

A dental implant is a small titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone at the site of a missing tooth. Titanium is used because of its unique ability to fuse directly with living bone through a process called osseointegration. Over a healing period of approximately three to six months, the jawbone grows around and integrates with the implant surface, creating a stable foundation that functions like a natural tooth root.

Once osseointegration is complete, a connector piece called an abutment is attached to the implant post. Your restorative dentist then places a custom-made crown on top of the abutment. The result is a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions like the tooth it replaced. Because the implant stimulates the jawbone the way a natural root does, it also helps prevent the bone loss that typically follows tooth extraction. According to the National Institutes of Health, osseointegrated dental implants have demonstrated long-term success rates of over 90% in clinical studies.

Types of Dental Implants We Place

At Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center, our surgeons place several types of implant restorations depending on how many teeth are missing and your overall oral health:

• Single dental implant — One implant post supports one custom crown, replacing a single missing tooth without affecting adjacent healthy teeth.
• Implant-supported bridge — When two or more adjacent teeth are missing, implants can support a bridge without grinding down neighboring teeth as traditional bridges require.
• Implant-supported dentures — For patients missing most or all teeth in an arch, implants can anchor a removable overdenture for significantly improved stability compared to conventional dentures.
• Full-arch restoration (All-on-X) — As few as four to six implants per jaw can support a fixed, permanent prosthesis, sometimes called Teeth in a Day. Learn more about full mouth reconstruction at our practice.
• Immediate implants — In qualifying cases, an implant can be placed at the same appointment as a tooth extraction, reducing the total number of visits needed.

The Dental Implant Surgery Process

Your implant journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes cone-beam 3D imaging. This technology allows our surgeons to assess your bone density and anatomy with precision, plan the exact placement of each implant, and anticipate any anatomical factors before surgery begins.

If bone volume is insufficient to support an implant, a bone grafting procedure may be recommended first to rebuild the site. Bone grafts are a routine part of implant preparation and do not disqualify a patient from receiving implants. We also offer Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy, which uses your body’s own growth factors to accelerate healing after grafting or implant placement.

On the day of your surgery, our team administers anesthesia and sedation appropriate to your procedure and comfort level. We offer IV sedation and general anesthesia for patients who prefer to be completely at ease — learn more about IV sedation and general anesthesia options. The implant post is then placed into the prepared site with precision guided by your pre-surgical imaging.

Benefits of Dental Implants Over Other Options

Dental implants offer advantages that other tooth replacement options cannot match. Dentures and bridges restore the appearance of a full smile, but they sit on top of or attach to the gum and bone rather than replacing the root. This means they do not prevent the bone resorption that occurs after tooth loss, which can cause the jaw to shrink over time and change the shape of the face.

Dental implants provide the stimulation the jawbone needs to maintain its density and volume. They do not require removal for cleaning, cannot develop decay, and with proper oral hygiene can last decades or a lifetime. Patients who choose implants typically report improvements in their ability to eat the foods they want, speak clearly, and smile confidently.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

The cost of dental implant treatment varies depending on the number of implants needed, whether preparatory procedures such as bone grafting or extractions are required, and the type of restoration placed. We provide individualized treatment plans after a thorough examination rather than quoting a flat fee.

While the upfront cost of implants is higher than dentures or bridges, the long-term value is considerable. Dentures and bridges need periodic replacement and professional maintenance, whereas a well-placed implant is designed to last permanently. We offer financing information on our payment options page, and patients with dental benefits can find insurance information at our Insurance & Finance page.

The Wilshire Oral Surgery Difference