Dental Implant Process in Long Beach | Step-by-Step Guide

Phase 1

Pre-Service: Consultation & Planning

Your journey begins with a complimentary consultation. We'll learn about your goals, evaluate your oral health, and create a personalized treatment plan — all in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

1. Your Initial Call

When you call or submit our online form, our implant coordinator will speak with you personally to learn about your needs. We'll ask about your dental history, discuss your goals, and determine whether implants may be right for you. If it sounds like a good fit, we'll schedule your free, no-obligation consultation right away.

2. Free Implant Consultation

Your consultation includes a panoramic X-ray and comprehensive evaluation at no cost. During this visit:

We review your dental and medical history
A panoramic X-ray gives us a clear view of your bone structure
Dr. Karimi reviews your imaging and confirms candidacy
We walk through your results together and discuss all options
We explain costs clearly — our all-inclusive pricing means no surprises
We answer every question so you can make an informed decision

We keep the consultation relaxed and pressure-free. Our focus is on education, comfort, and helping you explore your options.

3. Smile Design Day

Once you decide to move forward (and in some cases this can happen the same day as your consultation), we begin designing your new smile. Smile Design Day is where precision planning happens:

Advanced 3D imaging (CBCT) captures detailed views of your jawbone
Digital intraoral scans create a precise 3D model of your teeth and bite
Your implant placement is carefully mapped out for optimal support and aesthetics
The shape, alignment, and appearance of your new teeth are designed
Treatment is customized to your unique facial structure and goals

By planning every detail before surgery, we ensure your implants are placed for maximum precision, function, and natural-looking results.

4. Financing & Pre-Authorization

If you're interested in financing, we'll help you apply right in the office using your phone. The process is quick and approvals are often immediate. We work with multiple financing partners to find a plan that fits your budget. Many patients qualify for 0% APR options, and payments can be as low as $200/month. Good credit means $0 down; if you have less-than-perfect credit, we can still find a solution.

Technology Used in the Planning Phase

CBCT 3D Imaging

Cone Beam CT provides high-definition 3D images of your jawbone with minimal radiation. This allows Dr. Karimi to plan implant placement with exceptional accuracy — all on-site so you never need to travel elsewhere for imaging.

Digital Intraoral Scanning

Instead of messy traditional impressions, we capture highly accurate 3D scans of your teeth and gums in minutes. More comfortable for you, more precise for us, and the data goes directly to treatment planning.

Digital Smile Design

Your new smile is designed digitally before any surgery begins. We map out the ideal implant position, tooth shape, shade, and alignment — so you know exactly what your results will look like before we start.

Phase 2

Surgery Day: Implant Placement

Your procedure takes place in our state-of-the-art surgical suite on Smile Creation Day. Advanced technology, sedation options, and a focused surgical team ensure your experience is comfortable and precise.

Comfort & Sedation

We offer multiple sedation options so you feel completely at ease. Many patients choose oral conscious sedation or IV sedation with our board-certified anesthesiologist — you'll rest comfortably and often remember little to nothing of the procedure. Nitrous oxide is also available for lighter cases.

Precision Placement

Using the CBCT scans and digital plan prepared during Smile Design Day, Dr. Karimi places your implants with precision guided by 3D-printed surgical guides. Each implant is positioned for optimal bone support, bite function, and natural aesthetics.

Bone Grafting (If Needed)

Not all patients need bone grafting. When additional bone support is required, grafting is often performed at the same time as implant placement during the same surgery. This avoids an extra procedure and recovery period.

Transition Smile

You'll leave with a temporary transition smile the day after surgery. For fixed implants, this temporary is attached directly to the implants so you can eat soft foods, speak clearly, and smile with confidence while your implants heal.

What to Expect on Surgery Day

Arrive relaxed — your sedation plan is ready
Our team reviews your medical history one final time
Implants are placed using your digital surgical guide
Any necessary grafting is completed during the same visit
You're monitored by our team until it's safe to leave with your caregiver
Detailed aftercare instructions are provided in writing and video
You receive your doctor's direct number for any post-op questions

Phase 3

Aftercare: Healing to Final Smile

Healing is a partnership. We'll guide you through every stage, from managing post-op care at home to regular follow-ups, until your final restoration is placed and you're enjoying your new smile.

At-Home Aftercare

Use ice packs on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours (20 min on / 20 min off) to reduce swelling
Take prescribed pain medication, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories as directed
Eat only soft foods for the first few days: yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, soup
Avoid rinsing vigorously for the first 48 hours; after that, gently rinse with warm salt water
Brush the rest of your teeth normally while being gentle around the surgical site
Rest and avoid strenuous activity for 5–7 days
If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or fever, call us immediately

Healing Timeline

Day 1	Recovery & rest. Transition smile attached.
Days 2–7	Swelling peaks then subsides. Soft food diet. Light activity.
Weeks 2–3	Follow-up to monitor healing. Gradual return to normal diet.
3–6 Months	Osseointegration phase — implants fuse with jawbone. Transition smile period.
6+ Months	Smile Reveal Day — final custom restoration placed. Begin 6-month maintenance schedule.

We're With You Every Step

You'll receive your doctor's direct phone number after surgery so you can reach out anytime with concerns. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor your healing, check implant stability, and make adjustments to your transition smile as needed. We want you to feel fully supported throughout the entire process.

Questions?

Process FAQs

Everything you want to know about the implant process, from the initial call through final restoration.

The timeline varies for each patient, but here's a general overview: Your free consultation takes about 30–60 minutes. Smile Design Day can often be combined with the consultation if you're ready to move forward. Surgery can typically be scheduled within 2–3 weeks of Smile Design Day. The healing (osseointegration) phase lasts 3–6 months while implants fuse with your jawbone. After healing, your final restoration is placed. From first call to final smile, most patients complete treatment within 4–8 months.

Not with our sedation options. Most patients choose oral conscious sedation or IV sedation with our board-certified anesthesiologist. Patients often describe the procedure as a quick nap and remember little to nothing of it. After surgery, mild soreness is normal, but we provide pain medication and detailed aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable. Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours and gradually subsides.

Yes, many implant procedures are performed with sedation to help you remain comfortable. Options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation (a pill), or IV sedation administered by our board-certified anesthesiologist. We'll help you choose the best option based on the complexity of your case and your comfort level.

Not all patients require bone grafting. During your free consultation, we'll evaluate your jawbone with a panoramic X-ray and CBCT scan to determine if you have sufficient bone density. If grafting is needed, it can often be performed at the same time as implant placement, so you don't need a separate surgery or recovery period.

The transition smile is a temporary restoration you wear during the healing period while your implants fuse with the jawbone. For fixed implant patients, you'll receive your transition smile the day after surgery — it's attached directly to your implants so you can eat soft foods, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Some patients receive updated transition smiles during healing for the best fit and appearance. For removable implant restorations, the transition begins as a traditional denture and is modified to snap onto the implants after healing.

Most patients can return to light daily activities within 24–48 hours. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or intense physical activity for 5–7 days, as these can increase swelling or bleeding. If your job involves physical labor, you may need additional recovery time.

Yes, most patients receive a combination of: pain medication to manage discomfort, a steroid to reduce inflammation and swelling, and an antibiotic to prevent infection. In some cases, a chlorhexidine rinse may be recommended once the surgical site has healed enough. We'll provide clear instructions on how and when to take each medication.

After surgery, you'll have follow-up visits in the first few weeks to monitor healing and implant stability. During the osseointegration phase (3–6 months), periodic check-ups ensure everything is progressing well. Once your final restoration is placed and healing is complete, we recommend routine maintenance visits every six months for professional cleanings and check-ups to keep your implants healthy.

Yes. We work with multiple financing partners and can finance virtually anyone. Patients with good credit qualify for favorable rates with $0 down and often 0% APR options. If your credit is less than perfect, guaranteed financing is available with a down payment. Payments can be as low as $200/month. The application process takes just a few minutes and approvals are often immediate.

With proper care and regular maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. We use only FDA-approved titanium Grade IV implants and premium materials. We back our work with a 5-year warranty on single implants and a lifetime warranty on our zirconia full arch option.

The Dental Implant Process