What is a Dental Implant

Dental implants
Modern technology has made dental implants a reliable and aesthetically pleasing option for replacing missing teeth. In as little as two office visits, depending on your specific needs, we can help you restore your smile and confidence.

Missing teeth can cause discomfort when speaking or eating, hinder your ability to chew food effectively, affect the appearance of your smile, and impact your self-esteem. Replacing missing teeth is essential not only for improving aesthetics but also for maintaining overall oral health. Missing teeth can lead to bone deterioration or loss, cause adjacent teeth to shift, result in opposing teeth coming out of position, and disrupt the overall bite.

While traditional options to replace missing teeth like bridges and dentures are available, they often require significant maintenance, negatively affect the health of the adjacent teeth and may not last as long.


Dental implants are the only clinically proven method for replacing missing teeth while preserving the health of neighboring teeth, preventing bone loss following the loss of natural teeth, and providing a natural-looking, long-lasting solution..

The most common type of implants consists of a titanium screw anchored in the jawbone, acting as a tooth root and supporting a custom-made crown or prosthetic. Once the crown is placed, the dental implant seamlessly integrates with your natural teeth.

Our dental implants provide the same comfort, appearance, and function as your natural teeth. The implant process typically takes four to six months and involves three or more appointments with Dr. Kogan. Thanks to cutting-edge dental implant technology, we can help nearly anyone achieve their desired smile.

Dr. Kogan has extensive training in both the surgical and restorative phases of implant dentistry, allowing us to offer comprehensive dental implant treatment right here in our San Francisco office. We are dedicated to helping patients missing one, several, or all of their teeth regain their smile and functionality. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kogan to explore the best options tailored to your condition.

What to expect from our dental implant process
We handle every step of the dental implant process right in our office. Dr. Kogan begins with a consultation during which he conducts a thorough oral exam and discusses your medical history, treatment goals, and explains the overall process. If there are any leftover tooth fragments or gum disease, we will address these issues before proceeding with implants. Additionally, having sufficient healthy bone structure is crucial for supporting the implants; in some cases, we may need to place a bone graft before the implant placement. Once you're fully prepared, we’ll schedule the implant placement surgery. Utilizing advanced computer implant technology, we carefully plan the optimal location and angulation for the implant, ensuring every detail is meticulously considered to achieve the best possible outcome. On the day of surgery, Dr. Kogan will surgically place the implant post into your jawbone. After the surgery, the post requires time to heal and fuse with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration, which typically takes 3 to 6 months. In some cases, we may place a temporary restoration until the permanent one can be installed. Following surgery, we will monitor your healing process to ensure everything is progressing well. Once healing is complete, we will attach a crown (or bridge or denture) using a connector called an abutment, which links the implant to a crown. Implants can support various types of tooth replacements, including crowns, bridges, or dentures, depending on how many teeth you are replacing. The best part is that Dr. Kogan customizes each replacement specifically for your mouth, ensuring the size, shape, and color closely match your natural teeth. Your new smile will look seamless and natural.

Dental Implants vs. dental bridges or dentures
Implants vs. Bridges: Dental implants are the only solution that actively preserves jawbone health by preventing bone resorption after tooth loss. Unlike bridges, which rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants do not impact surrounding teeth. Traditional bridges require grinding down adjacent teeth, which can lead to complications like root canal treatments over time. Implants, therefore, offer a more conservative option, as no alterations to neighboring teeth are necessary. According to the latest scientific data, implants are designed to last a lifetime, while bridges typically need replacement after 10-15 years. The implant process generally takes longer than getting a bridge, typically spanning 4-6 months and involving multiple visits, surgery, and healing time. In contrast, a dental bridge is quicker, usually completed in about a month with two visits. A bridge may be a better option if adjacent teeth are weak and could benefit from crowns.

Implants vs. Dentures
Dentures can be uncomfortable and difficult to maintain. They often become loose—especially the bottom denture—and may slip while eating. Dentures can irritate the gums, leading to sores and discomfort. The hassle of removing them every night for cleaning and relying on adhesives to keep them in place adds to the inconvenience. They also don’t function as well as natural teeth, limiting the types of foods you can enjoy, and speaking with dentures may feel unnatural. Since dentures are removable, there’s always the risk of misplacing them. Dental implants offer a superior alternative. Unlike dentures, they are fixed in place, eliminating the need for bulky plastic over the gums. They prevent jawbone loss, provide a secure and comfortable fit, and function much like natural teeth.

Instant Orthodontics
If braces or Invisalign are not for you, then instant orthodontics is a creative solution to spaces between your teeth or misaligned teeth. Artfully crafted custom Porcelain Veneers or Empress Porcelain Crowns are placed over your teeth to instantly give you a magically attractive smile!