How much does a dental implant cost?

A single implant at 5D Smiles is $3,500 all-inclusive — consult, 3D CBCT scan, implant, abutment, and final zirconia crown. There are no surprise add-ons. Full-arch All-on-6 starts at $20,000 per arch, with bone grafting and sinus lifts included rather than added on. We finance up to $60,000 at 0% APR for qualified patients.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Most PPO plans cover 30–50% of the implant, abutment, and crown — usually up to your annual max of $1,500–$3,000. Many medical plans now cover implants when a tooth was lost to trauma or disease. Your consultation includes a benefits verification so you know exactly what's covered before treatment.

How long does the implant process take?

From consult to final crown is typically 3–4 months on a healed extraction site, or 4–6 months if a bone graft is needed. The surgery itself is 60–90 minutes for a single implant. Most of the timeline is the bone fusing to the implant under the gum — you're not in the chair during that.

Most patients describe Day 1 as similar to having a single tooth pulled — a 3–4 on a 10-point scale, controlled with ibuprofen and Tylenol. About 60% of our patients never fill the narcotic prescription. IV sedation handles the procedure itself; you have no memory of it. The Vampire Implant Protocol reduces post-op inflammation noticeably.

Am I too old for implants?

No. We routinely place implants in patients in their 70s and 80s. Age itself is not a contraindication — bone density and overall medical health are what matter. A controlled diabetic in their 80s is a better candidate than an uncontrolled diabetic in their 50s.

I've been told I don't have enough bone. Now what?

Bone loss is the most common reason patients are turned away elsewhere. Dr. Qiu trained at UCLA in advanced bone grafting and sinus-lift techniques and has restored over 200 patients who were told no by other offices. Bring your previous CBCT if you have one — we'll review it at your $145 consult.

Can I smoke and still get implants?

You can, but smoking roughly doubles the failure rate. We accept smoking patients with a frank conversation about the risk and a strong push to quit for two weeks before and eight weeks after surgery. If you cannot stop, the implant can still succeed — we just want you to make the choice with eyes open.

How long do implants last?

Long-term studies show 95–98% survival at 10 years. The implant body itself routinely lasts 25+ years. At our practice, the zirconia crown carries a lifetime warranty against fracture or wear. Most patients never need to revisit the decision.

Yes. Titanium implants have been used since 1965 and have one of the longest safety records in medicine. Complications are rare and almost entirely managed by surgical planning — which is why we CT-scan and digitally plan every case.

Can my body reject the implant?

True rejection is extremely rare — titanium is one of the most biocompatible materials known. What's sometimes called rejection is usually failure of osseointegration, which happens in 2–5% of placements and is caused by inadequate bone, infection, or smoking. The implant can typically be replaced after 3–6 months of healing.

Do I need to take time off work?

Most patients return to a desk job at 48 hours. Heavy physical labor we recommend waiting one week. Full-arch surgery is a longer recovery — plan on 3–5 days of mostly-home time.

What if I have a wedding or event coming up?

We can place a temporary tooth — a flipper, an Essix retainer, or a bonded Maryland-style tooth — over the implant during the 3-month integration period at no extra cost when needed for visible teeth. Tell us at the consult; we'll plan around your calendar.

Single tooth or full arch — which do I need?

If you're missing one or two teeth: single implants. If you're missing most teeth or have a failing dentition (multiple loose or rotten teeth that aren't worth saving), full-arch All-on-6 is almost always more cost-effective and faster than implanting each tooth individually. We standardize on six implants per arch rather than four for the long-term load distribution and margin of safety.

What's the difference between zirconia and titanium implants?

Titanium is the implant body in 99% of cases — it has 60+ years of evidence and the strongest integration record. Zirconia is what we use for the abutment and crown — it's tooth-colored and doesn't cast a gray shadow through thin gums. Some patients ask about all-zirconia implants; we discuss those at consult.

Yes, in 2–5% of placements. Causes are inadequate bone, untreated infection, smoking, or uncontrolled diabetes. When failure happens, it's usually in the first 3 months, before the crown is placed. Replacement is almost always possible after 3–6 months of healing.

Do you offer sedation?

Yes. We offer oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation with an in-house anesthesia provider. IV sedation is the default for implant surgery — you have no memory of the procedure and most patients wake up surprised it's over.

Is the consult really $145?

Yes. The $145 covers 45 minutes with Dr. Qiu personally — not a sales coordinator — plus a 3D CBCT scan (a $350 value at most imaging centers), an itemized treatment plan, and exact pricing in writing. The $145 is fully refundable as a credit toward treatment if you book.

How is 5D Smiles different from ClearChoice?

ClearChoice is a corporate franchise; the surgeon, prosthodontist, and lab are usually all different entities. At 5D Smiles, Dr. Qiu personally performs every surgical step, designs every crown, and follows every patient post-op. One doctor, one accountability, no hand-offs. Our pricing is also typically 20–40% less.

Can I eat normally with implants?

Yes — steak, apples, raw vegetables, anything. Implants restore 90–100% of natural chewing force. Once the final crown is bonded, there are no food restrictions.

What's the Vampire Implant Protocol?

It's a technique Dr. Qiu trained on at UCLA. We draw your blood at surgery, spin it down to platelet-rich plasma, and bathe the implant in your own growth factors before placing it. Bone integration is 30–40% faster and post-op inflammation is meaningfully lower. We use it on every implant at no extra cost.

FAQ

Dental Implants FAQ

The 20 questions patients ask in their first call with us — answered straight, without marketing softening.

Dr. Henry Qiu, DDS

UCLA Implant FacultyUpdated 2026-05-13

How this page works

These are the questions patients ask in their first phone call with us. Each answer is exactly what Dr. Qiu would tell you in person — no marketing softening, no upsell scaffolding. If a number is uncertain, the answer says so.

The expandable list below covers the 20 most common questions. If you don't see yours, the fastest way to get an answer is the $145 consultation — 45 minutes with the surgeon, fully refundable when you book treatment.

Keep reading

Dental Implants FAQ

How this page works

More from the surgeon's notes.

What Are Dental Implants?

Cost of Dental Implants

Am I a Candidate?

20 questions, straight answers

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