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Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants? A Complete Guide for 2026

March 14, 2026 Dr. Merat Ostovar 6 min read

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant integrates with the bone โ€” a process called osseointegration โ€” a custom crown, bridge, or denture is attached to restore your smile.

Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are the only tooth replacement that stimulates and preserves the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that naturally occurs after tooth extraction.

The Three Components of a Dental Implant

A complete dental implant consists of three parts:

  1. The implant post (titanium screw) โ€” placed in the jawbone to serve as an artificial root
  2. The abutment โ€” a connector piece that attaches to the implant and holds the crown
  3. The crown โ€” the visible tooth portion, custom-made to match your natural teeth

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults with missing teeth are candidates for dental implants. Key factors include:

  • Adequate jawbone density (or eligibility for bone grafting)
  • Healthy gums or gum disease that is controlled
  • Generally good overall health
  • Non-smoker or willingness to quit
  • Commitment to oral hygiene and follow-up care

Even patients who have been told they aren’t candidates may be eligible thanks to advances in bone grafting and techniques like All-on-4 implants.

Types of Dental Implants

Single Tooth Implant

Replaces one missing tooth independently without affecting adjacent teeth. Learn more about single tooth implants.

Multiple Tooth Implants

Uses implant-supported bridges to replace several adjacent missing teeth. Learn more about multiple tooth implants.

All-on-4 / All-on-X

Full-arch solutions using 4-8 implants to restore an entire arch of teeth. Learn more about All-on-4.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Snap-in or fixed dentures anchored by implants for superior stability. Learn more about implant dentures.

The Dental Implant Process

  1. Consultation โ€” 3D imaging, exam, and treatment planning
  2. Preparation โ€” Bone grafting or extractions if needed
  3. Implant placement โ€” Surgical placement under local anesthesia
  4. Healing โ€” 3-6 months for osseointegration
  5. Final restoration โ€” Custom crown, bridge, or denture placed

Benefits of Dental Implants

  • Look and feel natural โ€” indistinguishable from real teeth
  • Preserve bone โ€” prevent jawbone deterioration
  • Last a lifetime โ€” with proper care (high success rate)
  • No dietary restrictions โ€” eat everything you love
  • Easy maintenance โ€” brush and floss normally
  • Protect adjacent teeth โ€” no need to alter healthy teeth

Ready to Learn More?

At Aloha Dental Specialty Center, Dr. Ostovar provides complimentary implant consultations. Schedule yours today or call (503) 822-0096.

Why Patients Choose Our Practice

Advanced 3D Diagnostics

Three-dimensional imaging supports more accurate planning than 2D X-rays. Our office uses Cone Beam Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to generate detailed images of the jaw and dental anatomy. CBCT supports identifying anatomical landmarks relevant to treatment planning. This supports predictable clinical outcomes.

Supportive Healing Techniques

To support your recovery, we champion evidence-based supportive techniques. Utilizing your own blood, we centrifuge the sample in our clinic to form Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). This dense, bio-active membrane is packed with concentrations of growth factors (VEGF) and white blood cells. Where appropriate for the case, supportive techniques may help with post-operative comfort and recovery.

Multi-Disciplinary Care Approach

Aloha Dental Specialty Center brings general dentistry, board-certified endodontics, and pediatric dentistry together under one roof. General dentists across Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Aloha refer to our team for cases that benefit from in-house specialty coverage.

Comprehensive Guide: Understanding What Are Dental Implants? A Complete Guide for 2026

The physiological impact of What Are Dental Implants? A Complete Guide for 2026 cannot be understated. Through years of surgical and restorative experience, our team has witnessed firsthand how deteriorating oral health systematically destroys systemic cardiovascular stability. If you reside in the Portland metro, specifically navigating the US-26 corridor or the immediate Beaverton/Hillsboro border, you do not need to settle for standard general dentistry when confronting this issue.

Financial Advocacy & Cost Navigation

We understand that addressing What Are Dental Implants? A Complete Guide for 2026 involves serious financial consideration. Unlike corporate networks that obscure pricing, our dedicated financial coordination team provides immediate, total transparency. We actively partner with CareCredit and Cherry to offer deeply flexible, extremely low-interest monthly financing. Additionally, our insurance support specialists aggressively submit detailed 3D CBCT narratives to your specific carrierโ€”such as Delta Dental, Moda Health, or MetLifeโ€”forcibly maximizing your legitimate coverage and minimizing unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. We also offer our exclusive ADSC Dental Savings Plan for uninsured patients, guaranteeing you receive the absolute highest standard of local specialty care without comprehensive financial barriers.

Post-Operative Recovery Protocols

Achieving long-term success with What Are Dental Implants? A Complete Guide for 2026 requires absolute compliance with our elite post-operative parameters. We mandate robust, specialized anti-inflammatory protocols during the acute 72-hour phase to physically prevent swelling and halt pain cascades. Utilizing advanced chlorhexidine rinses and maintaining a strict, biologically-safe diet guarantees that the delicate soft tissues properly fuse. Should any unexpected complications arise, our dedicated 24/7 post-operative triage line is available to strictly protect your systemic health.

Schedule a Visit

Schedule Your Consultation

When you’re considering complex dental treatment, we’re happy to walk through your options. Dr. Ostovar and our multi-disciplinary dental team are located right here in the Tualatin Valley corridor. Contact our experienced clinical team today to secure your comprehensive 3D CBCT diagnostic assessment.

📍 Clinic Location: 18455 SW Alexander St, Suite B, Beaverton, OR 97006  |  Serving the Portland Metro area.

Conveniently located in Beaverton, OR โ€” serving Aloha, Hillsboro, and the Portland west side.

Se habla Espaรฑol โ€” Llame al (503) 822-0096

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Merat Ostovar today. We're here to answer your questions and create a personalized treatment plan.

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