RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
A missing tooth changes more than your smile. It can change how you chew, how you speak, and how comfortable you feel when you laugh. Dental implants replace the missing tooth with a restoration anchored in the jaw and designed to look, feel, and function naturally.
Quick Answer
Dental implants replace missing teeth with titanium posts placed in the jawbone and restored with a custom crown, bridge, or denture designed to look and function naturally.
At Marta Rudat, DDS, implants are digitally planned for precise placement and restored by a Loma Linda–trained, AACD-member dentist with more than 15 years of experience. A complete single-tooth implant generally ranges from $3,000–$6,000, with financing options available.
You're not alone
If you've lost a tooth, you already know the part nobody warns you about:
Some patients tell us they've turned down photos for years because of one missing front tooth.
What we want you to know before anything else is that this is fixable. Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth or provide a more stable solution for patients who have lived with dentures for years.
If a tooth came out recently or you're in pain right now, start with emergency care so we can stabilize things first, then plan the implant properly.
Educational
A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of a natural tooth root. It is placed into the jawbone, where the bone gradually grows around it and creates a stable foundation. This process is called osseointegration.
Once the implant has integrated with the bone, it can support a custom crown, bridge, or denture designed to blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.
Together, the implant and restoration replace the tooth from the root up. That matters because the roots of natural teeth help stimulate the jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the bone in that area can gradually shrink. An implant helps preserve that stimulation while restoring the ability to bite and chew.
An implant has three parts
The crown, bridge, or denture that replaces the visible tooth or teeth.
The connector between the implant and the restoration.
Placed in the jawbone to replace the tooth root.
Why Patients Choose Implants
A traditional bridge replaces the visible tooth but relies on the teeth beside the gap for support. That usually means reshaping those teeth to hold the bridge.
An implant stands on its own and leaves the neighboring teeth untouched. For patients who are good candidates, that can make it an appealing way to replace a missing tooth.
If you're comparing implants with removable options, dentures may offer another approach. For patients missing many or all of their teeth, full-mouth reconstruction can bring the options together into one treatment plan.
Considering a more extensive transformation?
Full-Mouth ReconstructionNo adhesive, no slipping, and nothing to remove at night. The implant is anchored directly in the jaw.
A stable replacement tooth restores biting and chewing without the movement associated with removable dentures.
An implant stimulates the surrounding bone and helps limit the bone loss that normally follows a missing tooth.
Implant restorations are cared for much like natural teeth with regular brushing, cleaning, and dental visits.
With good care, the implant itself can function for decades. The restoration above it may eventually need replacement.
What you can replace with implants
4 Crowns and whitening to replace stained misshapen composite on front teeth through digital design.
Request Your Veneer Consultation ↗1 crown, 3 veneers, composite bonding veneer to correct chipping, different colors teeth, old restorations.
Request Your Veneer Consultation ↗Smile design combination of veneers and overlays. Broken tooth, multiple colors of teeth, gum lift on some back teeth.
Request Your Veneer Consultation ↗Smile design, combination of crowns on back teeth 4, and composite veneers on front 8.
Request Your Veneer Consultation ↗Training that shows
Implants are equal parts surgery and artistry. Placing the post in exactly the right spot is one skill. Designing a tooth on top that looks like it grew there is another. Dr. Rudat has trained in both.
Beyond her dental degree from Loma Linda University and continued education in implant dentistry, Dr. Rudat completed The Protocol with Ritter & Ramsey, an advanced program in restorative and digital dentistry. The training emphasizes digital treatment planning, chairside scanning, close collaboration with the dental laboratory, and the details of shape, color, and fit that allow a restoration to look and feel natural.
The process
Most implant journeys run through four stages. Your exact timeline depends on your bone, your healing, and whether you need any prep work first.
We start by talking through what's missing, what has been bothering you, and what you want to be able to do comfortably again. Dr. Rudat examines your teeth, gums, bite, and the space where the tooth is missing to determine whether an implant makes sense for you.
A 3D scan gives us a detailed view of the jawbone and surrounding anatomy so the implant can be planned before treatment begins. We can evaluate the available bone, identify important structures, and determine the position that will best support the final tooth. No guesswork.
The titanium implant is placed into the planned position in the jaw during a focused appointment. The area is thoroughly numbed, and the goal is to make the procedure as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
Afterward, some tenderness and swelling are normal, but the early recovery is usually measured in days rather than weeks. We'll give you clear instructions for eating, cleaning the area, and caring for the implant while the initial healing takes place.
Over the next several months, the jawbone heals around the implant and creates a stable foundation for the new tooth. This process is called osseointegration, and it is what allows an implant to function more like a natural tooth root than a restoration that simply sits above the gums.
Healing commonly takes about three to six months, although every patient is different. Depending on the location and your treatment plan, a temporary restoration may be used while the implant integrates so you aren't simply left with an open space.
Once the implant is ready, we restore it with the tooth people actually see. Depending on your treatment, that may be a custom crown, an implant-supported bridge, or a restoration designed to replace a larger number of missing teeth.
This is where restorative dentistry meets cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Rudat considers the shape, proportions, shade, and relationship to the surrounding teeth so the restoration belongs in your smile rather than looking like an implant crown that was added to it.
Some patients need a bone graft or extraction first, which adds time. We'll tell you that up front, with a real timeline, so nothing catches you off guard halfway through.
Candidacy
Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth are candidates. The honest answer, though, is that candidacy comes down to a few specific things we check at your consult:
Enough healthy jawbone to hold the implant (and if you're short on bone, grafting often solves it).
Healthy gums. Active gum disease gets treated first.
General health that supports healing. Conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disease don't automatically rule you out; they just mean we plan more carefully (more on that in the FAQs).
Not a heavy smoker, or willing to pause around surgery, since smoking lowers success rates.
If you've been told elsewhere that you "don't have enough bone" or "aren't a candidate," it's worth a second opinion. Bone grafting and modern planning have moved that line a lot in the last few years.
Investment
Single Implant
$3,000 – $6,000
Complete implant, abutment, and crown
Full Arch
$15,000 – $30,000
Per arch for an All-on-4 style restoration
We don't believe in hiding the number until you're in the chair. In Orange County, a complete single dental implant — the post, abutment, and crown together — generally runs about $3,000 to $6,000. Full-arch options like All-on-4 typically range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch.
An implant-supported bridge varies depending on the number of teeth being replaced and the span of the restoration. A snap-in implant-supported denture typically costs less than a fixed full arch. Your exact cost also depends on whether you need an extraction or bone graft and the materials used for your final restoration.
At your consultation, you'll receive a clear, itemized estimate covering your treatment plan before you commit to anything.
Trust, technology, and the dentist behind your implant
Dr. Marta Rudat has cared for Orange County patients for more than 15 years. She earned her dental degree through the International Dentist Program at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, graduating with the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor for academic excellence, and she's a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), currently documenting cases toward AACD Accreditation. Her implant work is backed by the Implant Mastercourse and The Protocol with Ritter & Ramsey.
Every implant here is planned digitally in 3D before placement, so the position is mapped around your bone and nerves instead of being estimated by hand. That precision is what protects the result and your comfort.
In their words
For over 15 years, Dr. Marta has been grateful to earn the trust of her patients, reflected in hundreds of five-star reviews.
She did two crowns, an implant and multiple fillings for me. I didn't feel an injection even once, so painless! She saved my tooth with a procedure that not every dentist knows or implements called "root extrusion".
I got an implant!!!! Like my tooth came back from the dead ;) Thank you Dr.Marta! You are perfect doctor
I recently had implant placed at Marta Rudat’s office and it was comfortable and easy. They got me all prepared and Dr Marta Called me to check how I was doing the evening of surgery! Wow. I’ll be continuing coming here forever.
Frequently Asked
Does dental insurance cover dental implants?
Many dental plans now cover part of an implant, often the crown or a portion of the procedure, though coverage varies widely by plan. We’ll review your benefits with you before treatment and lay out what insurance handles versus what financing can cover. The goal is no surprises.
How much do dental implants cost in Orange County, CA?
A complete single dental implant in Orange County generally costs about $3,000 to $6,000, including the post, abutment, and crown. Full-arch restorations run higher, typically $15,000 to $30,000 per arch, and your final cost depends on bone health, the number of implants, and whether any prep work is needed. We provide an exact quote at your consultation and offer financing.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed as a long-term tooth replacement. A systematic review estimated implant survival at about 96% at 10 years, although longevity depends on oral hygiene, gum and bone health, smoking, medical conditions, bite forces, and regular dental care. The crown attached to the implant may need replacement before the implant itself does.
Am I a candidate for dental implants if I have bone loss?
Possibly. Bone loss does not automatically rule out dental implants. Depending on the amount and location of available bone, treatment may involve bone grafting, a different implant size or position, or in some situations a shorter implant. Recent evidence shows that short implants can be a predictable alternative to longer implants with bone augmentation in selected cases.
Do I need a bone graft before getting a dental implant?
Not everyone does. A bone graft may be recommended when there is not enough bone to place an implant in the desired position. However, modern treatment planning and shorter or narrower implants can sometimes reduce the need for augmentation. Your 3D scan helps determine which approach is appropriate for your anatomy.
How long does the dental implant process take?
For many patients, treatment takes several months because the implant needs time to integrate with the jawbone before the final restoration is placed. The exact timeline depends on whether an extraction or bone graft is needed and whether the implant can be placed or restored immediately. Research supports several timing protocols, but careful case selection is important.
Can a dental implant be placed the same day a tooth is removed?
Sometimes. Immediate implant placement can work well when the bone, gums, anatomy, and stability of the implant are favorable. It is not automatically the best choice for every extraction. Recent systematic reviews report high survival with appropriately selected immediate-placement protocols, while emphasizing the importance of case selection.
Can I get a tooth on my implant the same day?
In selected cases, yes. This is called immediate loading or immediate provisionalization. Whether it is appropriate depends on implant stability, bone quality, bite forces, implant location, and the type of restoration. Immediate loading can be successful, but it is not appropriate for every patient or every implant.
Is a dental implant better than a bridge?
Neither is automatically better for every patient. An implant replaces a missing tooth without requiring the neighboring teeth to support the restoration, while a traditional bridge uses adjacent teeth as abutments. The right choice depends on the condition of those teeth, available bone, your bite, treatment time, cost, and your overall restorative plan.
For patients who still have a tooth that might be saved, current evidence also does not support automatically extracting a restorable tooth in favor of an implant; both tooth-preserving and implant-supported approaches can have good outcomes.
Can dental implants fail?
Yes, although long-term survival is high. An implant can fail to integrate initially or develop problems later. Smoking, a history of gum disease, diabetes, plaque accumulation, and peri-implant inflammation can increase risk. A 2025 systematic review found peri-implantitis affects roughly one in five implant patients, although estimates vary depending on how the condition is defined.
What is All-on-4?
All-on-4 is a full-arch treatment concept in which a fixed set of replacement teeth is supported by four strategically positioned implants. It is one approach to replacing an entire upper or lower arch, but the appropriate number and position of implants depend on the patient’s anatomy and restorative needs. A recent overview of systematic reviews supports full-arch implant rehabilitation while noting differences among protocols and evidence quality.
How do I take care of dental implants?
Implants need daily brushing and cleaning between and around the implant restorations, along with professional maintenance. They cannot develop cavities themselves, but the gum and bone around them can develop inflammatory disease. Recent systematic reviews support ongoing home care and professional peri-implant maintenance as important parts of long-term implant health.
Continue reading
Your care begins with a private consultation
The right treatment begins with a thoughtful plan. Your consultation is time set aside to understand your needs, evaluate your 3D imaging, and consider the options that make sense for you.
Dr. Marta will walk you through the treatment, timeline, and investment clearly, so you can make your decision with confidence.
