Bone Grafting
Rebuilding the jawbone so an implant has something solid to hold onto.
Learn moreDental Implants in Berwyn, PA
A permanent replacement for missing teeth, placed by a Penn-trained periodontist who does implant surgery every week.
Tooth Replacement
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to take over the job of a missing tooth's root. Over the following months the bone grows directly onto the implant surface — a process called osseointegration — locking it in place. A crown is then attached on top, and the result looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth.
Implants are the closest thing modern dentistry has to giving a tooth back. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Unlike a denture, it does not move, and it keeps stimulating the jawbone so the bone does not melt away over time.
At Main Line Dental Implant Center, implants are placed by Dr. Steven Liu, DMD, DDS — a periodontist with formal certificates in both periodontics and prosthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania. That dual training matters more than it sounds: the surgeon planning the implant is also trained in how the final tooth has to be restored, so the implant goes in where the crown actually needs it.
- Look, feel and function like natural teeth
- Preserve jawbone and prevent the facial collapse that follows tooth loss
- Leave adjacent healthy teeth completely untouched
- Eat normally — no dietary restrictions once healed
- Cared for with ordinary brushing and flossing
- Designed to last decades with proper maintenance
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Most adults missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of their teeth are candidates. What determines success is less about age than about two things: the amount and quality of bone available, and the health of the surrounding gum tissue.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth, or have a tooth that cannot be saved
- Have a bridge or partial denture you would like to stop relying on
- Wear a full denture that slips, clicks or has become uncomfortable
- Have finished jaw growth (typically late teens onward)
- Are willing to maintain the implant with normal brushing, flossing and cleanings
Not having enough bone is rarely a disqualifier on its own. Bone grafting and sinus augmentation are routine parts of implant practice, done specifically to build a site back up so an implant can be placed predictably.
Active gum disease does need to be treated first. An implant placed into inflamed, infected tissue is an implant at risk, which is why a periodontist evaluates gum health before anything else. If periodontal disease is present, it is brought under control before implant surgery is scheduled.
Types of implant treatment we provide
Single tooth replacement
One implant, one crown. The neighboring teeth are left entirely untouched — the main advantage over a traditional three-unit bridge, which requires cutting down two healthy teeth to carry the replacement.
Multiple teeth and implant bridges
Two or more implants can support a fixed bridge spanning several missing teeth, without needing an implant for every single tooth.
Full-arch and implant-supported dentures
A small number of strategically placed implants can anchor a full arch of teeth. This is the option that changes daily life most dramatically for long-time denture wearers — the prosthesis stops moving, and biting force returns much closer to normal.
Immediate implant placement
In selected cases the implant can be placed at the same appointment the failing tooth is removed, which preserves bone that would otherwise resorb after extraction and reduces the total number of surgeries. Dr. Liu has published peer-reviewed work on the classification of immediate implant placement and immediate implant provisionalization; whether your case is suitable is determined from 3D imaging and the condition of the extraction site.
Full-mouth reconstruction
When many teeth are failing at once — through advanced gum disease, long-term wear, or a bite that has collapsed — the answer is rarely one implant at a time. Full-mouth reconstruction combines implants, grafting, gum treatment and bite correction into a single sequenced plan.
This is where Dr. Liu's background in periodontal prosthesis is directly relevant. Reconstructing an entire mouth requires deciding which teeth to keep, which to replace, and how the finished bite will distribute force for the next twenty years. It is planned in one go rather than assembled piecemeal.
What to Expect
The Dental Implant Surgery Process
- Consultation and 3D imagingDr. Liu examines the site and takes a 3D Cone Beam CT scan. This shows bone volume, bone density and the exact position of nerves and sinuses — information a standard 2D x-ray simply cannot provide. The implant position is planned from this scan before any surgery is scheduled.
- Site preparation, if neededIf bone volume is insufficient, a bone graft or sinus lift is performed first and given time to heal. Not every case needs this step.
- Implant placementThe implant is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward this appointment is — it is typically less eventful than the extraction that preceded it. Piezosurgery instrumentation is used where appropriate, because it cuts bone while leaving soft tissue unharmed.
- Healing and osseointegrationThe bone fuses to the implant over roughly three to six months, depending on the site and whether grafting was involved. A temporary tooth can usually be worn during this period so you are never without a tooth in a visible area.
- Final crownOnce integration is confirmed, an abutment and custom crown are fitted. Shade and shape are matched to your existing teeth. From this point the implant is cared for like any other tooth.
Referred by your dentist? Many of our implant patients are referred by general dentists across the Main Line for the surgical phase, then return to their own dentist for the final restoration. We work either way, and we coordinate directly with your restorative dentist throughout.
Common Questions
Dental Implants FAQs
The placement itself is done under local anesthesia and is not painful. Most patients report that implant surgery was easier than they expected — and frequently easier than having the original tooth extracted.
Afterward, some soreness and swelling for a few days is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Our practice is built around keeping treatment as close to painless as possible, and sedation options are available for patients who are anxious about surgery.
For a straightforward case, expect roughly three to six months from placement to final crown. The great majority of that time is healing, not appointments — the bone needs time to fuse to the implant, and that cannot be rushed without risking the result.
Cases requiring bone grafting or a sinus lift take longer, since the graft must mature before the implant goes in. Immediate placement cases can be considerably shorter. Dr. Liu will give you a realistic timeline for your specific situation at the consultation.
Cost depends on how many implants are needed, whether grafting is required, and the type of final restoration. Because those variables differ so much between patients, a meaningful number can only come from an actual examination.
We provide a written treatment plan with costs before you commit to anything. Many dental plans contribute toward part of implant treatment, and we will help you understand what your plan covers. Call (610) 722-5542 to arrange a consultation.
Implants are intended as a permanent solution and frequently remain in service for decades. The implant itself is titanium and does not decay.
What determines longevity is the health of the gum and bone around it. Implants can develop peri-implantitis — an inflammatory condition comparable to gum disease — if plaque is allowed to accumulate. Regular hygiene and periodontal maintenance visits are what protect the investment. The crown on top may need replacement at some point, which is a much smaller matter than replacing the implant.
There is no upper age limit. Bone quality and general health matter; date of birth does not. We routinely treat patients in their seventies and eighties who go on to eat comfortably for the first time in years.
Related Treatment
You May Also Need
Sinus Augmentation
Adding bone height in the upper back jaw so implants can be placed where the sinus is in the way.
Learn moreGingivitis & Periodontitis Treatment
Understanding which stage of gum disease you have — and what can still be reversed.
Learn moreSchedule Your Consultation
Dr. Liu will evaluate your situation and explain your options — including the ones you may not have been offered elsewhere.