Dental Implant Placement & Restoration in La Crescenta, CA
From implant surgery to the final tooth, your treatment is planned as one coordinated process.
Dr. Robert Thein, DDS, ABOI, ICOI provides both dental implant placement and implant restoration,
helping connect surgical planning, restorative design and long-term care.
Surgical planning with the final restoration in mind
Crowns, bridges and larger implant-supported restorations
Coordinated treatment from surgery through follow-up
Two Phases. One Treatment Plan.
A successful dental implant is not only about placing an implant into bone. The implant must be
positioned to support the tooth or restoration that will eventually be attached to it.
Dental Implant Placement
The dental implant is surgically positioned in the jawbone to replace the root portion of a missing tooth.
Planning considers bone, gums, adjacent teeth, bite, implant position and the intended final restoration.
Dental Implant Restoration
After appropriate healing, the implant is restored with the visible replacement tooth or teeth,
such as an implant crown, bridge, denture or full-arch restoration.
Dr. Thein approaches implant placement and restoration as connected parts of the same treatment,
rather than two unrelated procedures.
The Final Tooth Is Considered Before the Implant Is Placed
Implant placement is the foundation. Implant restoration is the result. Before surgery, the
desired final tooth position and restorative requirements should be considered.
“Can the implant be positioned to appropriately support the tooth we ultimately want to create?”
Before placement, Dr. Thein considers:
- Final tooth position
- Bite and opposing teeth
- Emergence through the gum tissue
- Available bone in the ideal location
- Smile appearance and symmetry
- Chewing forces on the restoration
Why Choose One Dentist for Implant Placement and Restoration?
Dental implant treatment can involve separate surgical and restorative providers. When both phases
are planned together, the final restoration can be considered from the beginning.
Surgical Considerations
- Bone volume and quality
- Implant position and angulation
- Gum tissue
- Anatomical structures
- Need for grafting
- Implant stability
Restorative Considerations
- Final tooth position
- Bite and chewing forces
- Crown shape and aesthetics
- Emergence profile
- Restorative space
- Abutment selection and maintenance
Treatment Planning→
Implant Placement→
Healing→
Implant Restoration→
Long-Term Care
Precision Starts Before Surgery
Dental implant placement is the surgical phase of treatment. Three-dimensional imaging may be
used when appropriate to evaluate available bone and surrounding anatomy before treatment.
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Gums
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Adjacent Teeth
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Bite
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Final Restoration
Immediate vs. Delayed Implant Placement
An implant can sometimes be placed at the time a tooth is removed. Other patients benefit from
allowing the site to heal before implant placement.
- Available bone
- Infection and socket condition
- Gum tissue
- Implant stability
- Need for grafting
- Planned final restoration
Bone Grafting & Implant Placement
Bone volume can decrease after tooth loss, periodontal disease, infection, trauma or previous extractions.
When adequate bone is not available in the desired implant location, bone grafting may be considered.
Depending on the situation, grafting may occur before implant placement or in conjunction with treatment.
Sinus augmentation may also be considered for certain upper-back-tooth situations.
The Part of Your Dental Implant That Becomes Your New Tooth
The implant itself sits below the gum and serves as the foundation. The restoration is the visible
tooth or prosthesis supported by that implant.
Single Implant Crown
Replaces one missing tooth without relying on adjacent teeth for support.
Implant-Supported Bridge
Strategically positioned implants can support multiple replacement teeth.
Implant-Supported Denture
Implants can provide additional support and stability for a removable prosthesis.
Full-Arch Restoration
Multiple implants can support a complete arch of replacement teeth when appropriate.
Gum compatibility
Comfortable function
Appropriate bite
Maintainability
Single-Tooth Implant Restoration
A single dental implant can provide an independent foundation for replacing one missing tooth.
Treatment generally follows:
For visible teeth, the crown should complement adjacent teeth, gum contours, tooth proportions,
smile and bite.
Front Tooth Implant Placement & Restoration
Replacing a front tooth presents unique challenges because implant position can influence gum
contours, emergence profile, tooth position, symmetry and final aesthetics.
Multiple Implant Restorations
Several missing teeth do not necessarily require one implant for every missing tooth. Treatment
planning considers implant distribution, available bone, remaining teeth, bite forces and maintainability.
When Implant Dentistry Becomes Complete Smile Reconstruction
Patients who have lost many teeth, or whose remaining teeth have a poor prognosis, may require a
more comprehensive implant solution. Full-mouth treatment requires coordinated surgical and restorative planning.
Implant Restoration Without Starting Over
Not every patient looking for implant restoration needs a new implant placed. An existing implant
may be evaluated for repair, replacement or completion of the restorative phase.
You may need evaluation for:
- A new implant crown
- Replacement of an existing restoration
- A loose implant crown
- A damaged or fractured restoration
- An implant placed by another provider
- Incomplete implant treatment
- Aesthetic or bite concerns
Bring records if available:
- Implant records
- X-rays
- Implant manufacturer information
- Previous treatment plans
- Surgical records
No records? You can still schedule an evaluation and discuss your situation.
Is Your Implant Crown Giving You Problems?
An implant may remain stable while the restoration above it develops a problem. These symptoms
do not automatically mean the implant itself has failed.
Chipping or fracture
Difficulty chewing
Food trapping
Bite changes
Unnatural appearance
Gum changes
Difficulty cleaning
Discomfort
Surgical Implant Experience Meets Restorative Planning
Dr. Robert Thein, DDS, ABOI, ICOI provides implant-focused surgical and restorative care in La Crescenta.
His professional background includes advanced implant training through the Misch Implant Institute
in addition to his Boston University dental education.
He does not plan an implant in isolation. The implant is planned in relation to the restoration it needs to support.
Gum tissue
Bite
Remaining teeth
Smile
Long-term oral health
Not Every Missing Tooth Means “More Implants”
Treatment should be based on what is actually appropriate. In complex cases, maintainable natural
teeth may be preserved while implants and grafting are used selectively where needed.
Considering Implant Treatment Abroad?
Compare more than the price of the implant. Ask who will restore, maintain and repair the implants
after you return home, who will adjust the bite and whether compatible components will be available locally.
The Implant Placement & Restoration Process
Comprehensive Evaluation
Teeth, gums, bone, bite and the missing-tooth site are evaluated.
Plan the Final Restoration
The desired final tooth position and restorative requirements are considered.
Plan Implant Placement
Implant position is selected based on anatomy and the planned restoration.
Implant Placement
The dental implant is surgically placed in the planned position.
Healing & Integration
The implant is given appropriate time to integrate with surrounding bone.
Restorative Phase
The final restoration is planned and fabricated after evaluation of the implant and tissues.
Final Restoration
The crown, bridge or larger restoration is attached and evaluated for fit, aesthetics and bite.
Maintenance
Professional monitoring and excellent home care remain important for long-term function.
Frequently Asked Questions About Implant Placement & Restoration
What is implant placement and restoration?
Implant placement is the surgical positioning of a dental implant in the jaw. Implant restoration is the process of creating and attaching the replacement tooth or teeth supported by that implant.
Who performs implant placement and restoration?
Treatment models vary. Sometimes one dentist places the implant and another restores it. Dr. Robert Thein provides both implant surgical and restorative care at his La Crescenta practice.
Can the implant and crown be placed on the same day?
For selected patients, an implant can sometimes receive an immediate temporary restoration. It depends on clinical conditions and adequate implant stability and is not appropriate for every case.
How long after implant placement can the tooth be restored?
Timing varies based on implant stability, bone, healing, location, grafting and the type of restoration.
Can you restore an implant placed somewhere else?
Potentially. The implant needs to be evaluated and, when possible, its system and components identified before the restoration can be planned.
Can an old implant crown be replaced?
In many situations an existing implant restoration can be evaluated for repair or replacement without automatically replacing the implant itself.
What if my implant crown is loose?
A loose implant crown should be professionally evaluated. The cause may involve the crown, screw, abutment, bite or another component and does not necessarily mean the implant itself has failed.
Do I need bone grafting before implant placement?
Not everyone does. Bone grafting may be recommended when available bone is not sufficient for the planned implant position.
Is implant restoration permanent?
Implant restorations are designed for long-term function, but implants and restorations still require professional monitoring and good oral hygiene.
Implant Placement & Restoration Near You
Boston Dental Care serves patients from La Crescenta, Montrose, La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale,
Pasadena, Burbank, Sunland, Tujunga, Eagle Rock and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
Implant restoration near me
Implant crown near me
Dental implant second opinion
Implant Placement. Implant Restoration. One Coordinated Treatment Plan.
Whether you need your first implant placed, an existing implant restored, a damaged implant crown evaluated,
or a second opinion before extensive implant treatment, start with a comprehensive evaluation.
Boston Dental Care • 3730 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta, CA 91214