Implant Options — San Luis Obispo, CA
Replace one tooth or a whole arch
From a single implant to a full-arch restoration, our board-certified surgeon plans the right option for your case.
Overview
What are the types of implants?
“Dental implants” describes a family of options rather than a single procedure. Each one works on the same principle: your jawbone fuses to a titanium post, a process called osseointegration, and the post takes the place of a natural tooth root. What changes is how many teeth you’re replacing and how the new teeth attach. Replacing a single tooth looks very different from rebuilding a full arch, and the right choice depends on your teeth, your bone, and your bite.
The good news is you don’t have to figure out which is which on your own. At your consultation, Dr. Janette maps your case and walks you through the options that apply to you and your goals for your smile.
Urgent? Call 805-541-5611
Candidacy & Indications
Your options
Three ways to replace missing teeth:
- Single-tooth implant: one implant and one crown replace one missing tooth.
- Multiple-tooth / implant bridge: a few implants support several teeth in a row.
- All-on-4 / All-on-X / full-arch: a set of implants anchors a full upper or lower set of fixed teeth, for patients missing most or all of their teeth.
Which is right for you comes down to a few practical questions: how many teeth are missing, and where? How much healthy jawbone do you have? Would grafting change the options? Do you want fixed teeth or a secure removable set? And what fits your budget and timeline? There’s rarely just one answer, so we’ll lay out the trade-offs plainly so you can choose.
Dr. Janette’s Approach
Our approach to implant selection
Choosing between implant options is where a specialist provides the most value. Dr. Adam Janette is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and his work spans single implants through full-mouth reconstruction. For complex cases, we use 3D scanning technology so the recommendation is based on your actual bone and bite. Our office has years of working with dental providers across the Central Coast and can provide continuity of care while being the experts in the surgery your case needs.
What to Expect
How dental implant treatment works
Before: the planning consultation
Dr. Janette examines your mouth, may take a 3D scan, and reviews your bone, bite, and goals. Then he walks you through the configurations that apply to you, with a written estimate for your case. If grafting would change your options, he’ll say so. You leave understanding the trade-offs behind each option.
During: placement
Placement depends on the option you choose. A single implant is a short procedure, while a full-arch restoration is more involved. You typically will get IV anesthesia and the implants are placed according to your plan.
After: to your final teeth
After placement, your bone needs time to fuse to the implants before your final teeth are attached. For most patients this takes a matter of weeks, though it can range from about six weeks to six months depending on the site. Most full-arch approaches allow a temporary set of teeth within 24 hours.
Case Study
A recent case
Case Study · Implant Options
A full-mouth reconstruction, planned in 3D
[PROOF: a de-identified full-mouth / full-arch reconstruction case — strong proof for this page.]
Read the full case study →Recovery & Post-Op
Your first weeks after surgery
- Recovery changes with the type of implants: a single implant is a quick recovery; a full-arch restoration is more involved, with swelling and a soft diet early on.
- Integration with the bone usually takes several weeks before final teeth go on, and the exact timing depends on your site and anatomy.
- Follow the specific instructions your surgeon gives you.
When to call us
As with any implant surgery, contact the office for bleeding that won’t stop with gentle pressure, swelling that worsens after a few days, fever, or an implant that feels loose. Pain should ease within a few days; if it comes back, let us know. Call the office with any concern.
Cost & Insurance
Cost of dental implants
The cost of dental implants varies a lot: a single implant is a very different undertaking from a full-arch restoration, and grafting and sedation factor in too. At your consultation you’ll get a written estimate for each realistic option, with your coverage already checked by our office.
See Cost of Dental Implants for a full breakdown →Frequently Asked
Questions patients ask us about implant options
A single implant replaces one tooth with one crown. Full-arch uses several implants to anchor a complete set of upper or lower teeth. It’s usually a different procedure, cost, and recovery, for patients missing most or all of their teeth.
An implant-supported overdenture is a denture that snaps onto implants so it stays put while still being removable. It costs less than a fixed full arch, with some trade-offs.
Yes. Full-arch restorations and implant-supported dentures are designed exactly for that, and full-mouth reconstruction is core work here. Your 3D scan and your bone structure determine the best approach.
That’s what the consultation is for. Dr. Janette reviews your case using 3D scanning technology and walks you through the options that actually apply, with clear trade-offs and an estimate for each.
Sometimes. If bone is missing, grafting can open up better options, and it’s often done alongside implant placement. We’ll tell you if it applies.
It depends heavily on your specific case. You’ll get a written estimate for each realistic option.
Patient Experiences
In our patients’ words
“Dr. Janette did the reconstruction of my whole mouth… Implants and all. Best dentist/surgeon I have ever been to!”
“My wife and her family have been seen here… They excel at the dental implant procedure, care, and service.”
Ready to talk through your case?
Request a consultation. CBCT imaging, clinical exam, and a written treatment plan with fee quote at your first visit.