Dental Implants in Philadelphia
Permanent tooth replacement performed by a board-certified periodontist and UPenn faculty member at Razavi Dental in Center City Philadelphia.
Why Dental Implants
Dental implants are the closest thing dentistry has to a natural tooth. A titanium post is placed into the jawbone where it fuses with the surrounding bone over a period of months, creating a stable root that functions like the real thing. A crown is then attached to the post, matched to the color and shape of the surrounding teeth. The result looks natural, functions like a natural tooth, and with proper care can last a lifetime.
Other replacement options have real limitations. A bridge requires filing down healthy adjacent teeth to anchor it in place. Dentures rest on the gum surface and deliver roughly half the bite strength of natural teeth, a figure that continues to decline over time as the jawbone recedes beneath them. Implants preserve the jawbone by stimulating it the same way a natural root does, which keeps the facial structure intact and prevents the sunken appearance that often accompanies long-term tooth loss.
For patients considering dental implants in Philadelphia, the combination of a specialist surgical team and a restorative dentist working together in one practice makes a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.
Dental implants have one of the highest long-term success rates of any procedure in dentistry, supported by more than five decades of clinical research.
Dental implants at Razavi Dental are placed by Dr. Pouya Hatam, a board-certified periodontist and UPenn faculty member.
Implant Care at Razavi Dental
At Razavi Dental, Dr. Razavi offers patients a level of implant care that most dental practices cannot match. Implant surgery is performed by Dr. Pouya Hatam, a board-certified periodontist and surgical faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She works in collaboration with Dr. Razavi as part of the Razavi Dental team. Periodontists complete three additional years of specialty training beyond dental school focused on the bone, gum tissue, and structures that support the teeth. As a dental implant surgeon in Philadelphia, Dr. Hatam has placed implants across the full range of cases, from single missing teeth to full arch reconstructions, and brings a level of surgical precision that comes from decades of specialty practice and an active faculty role at one of the country’s leading dental schools.
After implant placement, Dr. Razavi handles the restorative phase, designing and placing the final crown to ensure it matches your surrounding teeth and functions correctly within your bite. This model gives patients two specialists working together in one Philadelphia practice — a surgical implant specialist and a restorative dentist — rather than one generalist performing every phase.
Dr. Hatam treats implant patients as part of the Razavi Dental team.
To learn more about her background and credentials, visit: Dr. Pouya Hatam, Periodontist in Philadelphia
Dr. Leily Razavi
Cosmetic & Restorative Dentist
Dr. Pouya Hatam
Board-Certified Periodontist & Implant Surgeon
Types of Dental Implants
Single Tooth Implant
A single dental implant in Philadelphia replaces one missing tooth without affecting the teeth on either side. One titanium post is placed into the jawbone, a healing period follows, and a custom crown is attached. The result is indistinguishable from a natural tooth in both appearance and function. This is the most conservative and long-lasting solution for a single missing tooth.
Multiple Implants
When several teeth are missing in different areas of the mouth, individual implants can be placed to support each one. Multiple implants provide independent stability for each replacement tooth, distribute bite forces naturally, and eliminate the need to use adjacent teeth as anchors. For more on multiple implant options, visit our multiple implants page.
All-on-4 Full Arch
All-on-4 uses four strategically placed implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. It is designed for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth on one arch and want a fixed non-removable solution. The four implants are angled to maximize contact with available bone, which often makes All-on-4 possible even in patients with significant bone loss.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth are candidates for dental implants. The most important factors are adequate jawbone density to support the implant post and healthy gum tissue free of active infection. Patients with controlled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other systemic conditions can often still receive implants with appropriate medical coordination.
Patients who are not immediately candidates may still become candidates after preparatory treatment. Bone grafting can rebuild jawbone volume in areas where it has been lost. Treatment of active gum disease before implant placement is standard and something Dr. Hatam, as a periodontist, handles directly as part of the same treatment plan.
Smokers can receive implants but face higher rates of implant failure and slower healing. Dr. Hatam walks through all of it at the consultation so patients know exactly what to expect before anything starts.
Good Candidates for Dental Implants
The Implant Process at Razavi Dental
Dental implant treatment at Razavi Dental follows a structured process designed to give each implant the best possible chance of long-term success.
The first appointment is a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Hatam. She reviews your medical and dental history, takes 3D digital imaging of your jaw to assess bone volume and density, and evaluates the health of your gum tissue. If preparatory treatment is needed, such as bone grafting or treatment of gum disease, that is planned and completed before implant placement begins.
Implant placement is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia in the Razavi Dental office. The titanium post is placed precisely into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. Most patients describe the procedure as significantly less uncomfortable than they expected. Recovery from the placement itself is typically a few days of mild soreness manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
The implant then undergoes osseointegration, during which the titanium fuses with the surrounding bone. This typically takes three to six months depending on the patient and the location in the mouth. During this period a temporary restoration may be placed so the area does not remain visually empty.
Once osseointegration is confirmed, Dr. Razavi designs and places the final crown. The crown is custom-fabricated to match the color, shape, and size of the surrounding teeth. At this point the implant is fully functional.
The Implant Process
1
Consultation
3D imaging, bone assessment, gum evaluation, and full treatment planning with Dr. Hatam.
2
Preparation
Bone grafting or gum disease treatment if needed before implant placement begins. If a failing tooth is still present, tooth extraction in Philadelphia is performed before or at the same time as implant placement.
3
Implant Placement
Titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia by Dr. Hatam.
4
Osseointegration
The implant fuses with the jawbone over three to six months, creating a stable permanent root.
5
Crown Placement
Dr. Razavi designs and places the final custom crown matched to your surrounding teeth.
Dental Implants vs. Other Options
Implant-Supported Dentures and All-on-4
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, implant-supported dentures and All-on-4 offer a fixed solution that traditional dentures cannot match. Rather than resting on the gum surface, implant-supported restorations are anchored to implants placed in the jawbone, which eliminates slipping, improves bite strength significantly, and stops the bone loss that occurs beneath conventional dentures.
All-on-4 is the most efficient version of this approach, using four implants per arch to support a full set of fixed teeth. The strategic angulation of the implants allows the procedure to work even in patients with reduced bone volume. In many cases, All-on-4 can be completed with same-day temporary teeth placed at the time of the implant surgery, so patients leave with a functional smile on the day of their procedure.
Razavi Dental offers a full range of implant-supported options. For detailed information on implant-supported dentures specifically, visit our implant-supported dentures in Philadelphia page.
Why Patients Choose Razavi Dental for Implants
- Implant surgery performed by a board-certified periodontist
- UPenn School of Dental Medicine faculty appointment
- Surgical and restorative specialists working together in one office
- 3D CT imaging for precise implant planning and bone assessment
- Natural-looking crowns designed by an experienced cosmetic dentist
- Coordinated care from consultation through final restoration — no referrals out
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a periodontist or general dentist place my dental implant?
Both general dentists and periodontists can place dental implants, but they bring different levels of training to the surgical phase. A periodontist completes three additional years of specialty training after dental school focused on the gum tissue, bone, and structures that support the teeth. That is the same foundation an implant needs to succeed long term.
In most practices the process is divided between two providers. A periodontist or oral surgeon handles the surgical placement of the titanium post, and a restorative dentist designs and places the final crown. At Razavi Dental that division is built into the practice. Dr. Pouya Hatam, a board-certified periodontist and UPenn faculty member, performs the implant surgery. Dr. Razavi handles the restorative phase, creating the final crown matched to your surrounding teeth.
Choosing a periodontist for the surgical phase matters most in cases involving active gum disease, insufficient bone volume, or a history of implant complications. Because Dr. Hatam is a periodontist, she can identify and treat gum disease or bone deficiency before placement rather than referring you elsewhere. The surgical and restorative specialists work together in one practice, which simplifies the process and tends to produce better long-term results.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. The titanium post itself rarely fails once osseointegration is complete. The crown attached to the implant may need replacement after 15 to 20 years depending on wear, but the implant post is designed to be permanent.
Does dental implant surgery hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and most patients report significantly less discomfort than they anticipated. Post-procedure soreness is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief for a few days. Dr. Hatam’s patients consistently describe the experience as far easier than they expected.
How long does the full implant process take?
From consultation to final crown, the process typically takes four to eight months depending on whether preparatory treatment is needed and how quickly osseointegration progresses. Patients who require bone grafting will have a longer timeline. Dr. Hatam walks through the expected timeline in detail at the initial consultation.
Can I get implants if I have gum disease?
Active gum disease must be treated before implant placement. Untreated gum disease creates an environment where implants are likely to fail. Because Dr. Hatam is a periodontist, she treats gum disease and places implants, which means patients who need both can have their treatment coordinated by the same specialist rather than being referred back and forth between providers.
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
Coverage varies significantly by plan. Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of implant costs, others do not. Medical insurance occasionally covers implants when tooth loss is related to an accident or medical condition. Razavi Dental will submit to your insurance on your behalf after treatment. The office also offers financing to help spread the cost of treatment over time.
How much do dental implants cost in Philadelphia?
The total cost for dental implants in Philadelphia PA typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth for a single tooth replacement, covering the three components involved: the implant post, the abutment connector, and the custom crown. If you receive a quote that seems unusually low, it may only cover the surgical placement and not the final crown.
Each component has its own cost range. The implant post runs $1,000 to $3,000. The abutment typically adds $500 to $1,000. The crown ranges from $800 to $3,000 depending on the material and complexity. Specialist fees for surgical placement by a periodontist reflect the advanced training involved, but the clinical results bear that out.
Many patients also require preparatory treatment before implant placement can begin. Tooth extraction runs $100 to $700 per tooth. Bone grafting, when the jawbone is too thin to support an implant, adds $300 to $3,000. A sinus lift for upper jaw implants near the sinus cavity ranges from $1,500 to $5,000. The 3D CT imaging used for surgical planning typically adds $300 to $500.
For patients missing all teeth on one arch, All-on-4 treatment typically ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 per arch. Full mouth restoration across both arches ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 or more depending on complexity.
The most accurate way to understand what your specific case will cost is a consultation with Dr. Hatam, where 3D imaging gives a complete picture of what treatment will involve before anything begins.
What makes Razavi Dental different for implants?
Most dental practices that offer implants have a general dentist placing them. At Razavi Dental, implant surgery is performed by Dr. Pouya Hatam, a board-certified periodontist with UPenn faculty credentials and decades of implant surgery experience. The combination of a specialist implant surgeon and a skilled restorative dentist working together this way is uncommon and tends to produce better outcomes than having one generalist manage every phase.
Ready to Replace Your Missing Teeth?
Razavi Dental offers single tooth implants, multiple implants, and All-on-4 full arch solutions in Philadelphia. Dr. Razavi leads your care from consultation through final restoration, with implant surgery performed by an on-staff board-certified periodontist. Contact us to schedule your consultation.