When you lose a tooth, you lose more than what shows in the mirror — the root that kept your jawbone stimulated is gone too. A dental implant is the one solution designed to replace both. At Kentfield Dental, Dr. Soroush Ghaffarpour ("Dr. G") plans every implant in 3D using our in-house Vatech Green X12 CBCT scanner, so Marin patients get precise, conservative placement without being referred across town. From planning to surgery to your final crown, it's all handled under one calm roof on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Kentfield — the kind of all-in-one implant care this boutique practice was built around.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of a missing tooth's root. It's placed gently into the jawbone, where the bone naturally grows around and bonds to it over a few months — a process called osseointegration. Once it's stable, a custom porcelain crown is attached on top, giving you a tooth designed to look, feel, and function like the real thing.
Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn't rely on grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. And unlike a removable denture, it stays put — you brush it, floss around it, and chew on it like any other tooth. Because the implant replaces the root, it also keeps the jawbone working and helps preserve the bone and facial shape that tend to shrink away after a tooth is lost. Implants are versatile, too: they can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or serve as anchors for a larger bridge or denture — and at Kentfield Dental, Dr. G will help you find the right approach for your situation.
How we place implants at Kentfield Dental
What sets our Kentfield office apart is that the entire implant journey can happen in-house — the kind of immediate, all-under-one-roof care that many general practices refer out. Dr. G is aesthetics-first and conservative by training, so the goal is always the most natural-looking, tissue-preserving result. Before anything touches your mouth, we capture a low-dose 3D image of your jaw with our Vatech Green X12 CBCT scanner. That lets us see exactly where the nerves, sinuses, and bone are, so the implant can be positioned with real precision rather than guesswork.
From that 3D scan we can design and 3D-print a surgical guide right here on our Formlabs printer — a custom template that helps place the implant exactly where it was planned. Many Marin patients are surprised by how calm and straightforward the visit feels. We're built for comfort, and Dr. G is happy to talk through every step in English or Spanish so you always know what's coming next. Whether you're coming from Greenbrae, Ross, San Anselmo, or anywhere in Marin County, the whole process stays in one familiar place.
- Vatech Green X12 CBCT — low-dose 3D cone-beam imaging for precise, guided implant planning
- Formlabs in-house 3D printing for custom surgical guides, models, and temporaries — often same day
- 3Shape digital intraoral scanning instead of goopy, gag-inducing impression molds
- CEREC same-day technology (Primescan 2, Primemill, SpeedFire) to craft the final porcelain crown in our office
- Soft-tissue dental laser for clean, comfortable gum work where it's needed
- Surgery and restoration handled in-house by Dr. G — no referral across Marin County
Why patients choose us for this
Replaces the whole tooth, root included
An implant restores both the crown you see and the root you don't — the only tooth-replacement option designed to do both, which is why it can feel and function so much like a natural tooth.
Helps protect your jawbone
Because the implant stimulates the bone the way a natural root would, it's designed to help slow the bone loss and facial sagging that often follow a missing tooth left untreated.
Leaves healthy teeth alone
Unlike a traditional bridge, an implant stands on its own. There's no need to grind down the perfectly good teeth on either side of the gap to support it.
Built to last
With good home care and regular checkups, the crown on a quality implant can often last many years — frequently in the 20-to-30-year range — and the implant post itself is designed to last even longer.
Eat and smile with confidence
A well-integrated implant lets you bite into the foods you love and laugh without worrying about something slipping — no adhesives, no removal, no fuss.
Precision from 3D planning
Planning your case on our in-house CBCT scanner means placement can be mapped around your nerves, sinuses, and bone before surgery day — for a more predictable, conservative result.
What to expect
3D consultation & planning
We start with a low-dose Vatech CBCT scan and a digital 3Shape scan of your bite. Dr. G reviews your bone, nerves, and goals, then maps the implant position in 3D and answers every question — in English or Spanish.
Gentle implant placement
Using a 3D-printed surgical guide made in-house, Dr. G places the titanium post into the jaw in a comfortable, focused visit. If needed, a temporary tooth can keep your smile looking whole while you heal.
Healing & integration
Over the next few months the bone naturally bonds to the implant. We check in along the way to make sure everything is integrating well and you're comfortable throughout.
Your final crown
Once the implant is solid, we craft and attach a custom porcelain crown — color-matched to your smile — completing a replacement tooth designed to look and function like the one nature gave you.
Your comfort matters. Dr. G's calm, comfort-focused approach and clear step-by-step explanations (offered in English or Spanish) are designed to put anxious patients at ease, and gentle numbing keeps placement comfortable. Sedation options can be discussed at your consultation.
Is a dental implant right for you?
Most adults in good general health with enough healthy jawbone are good candidates for implants — and when bone is thin, options like grafting or a sinus lift can often build a strong foundation first. The best way to know is a consultation and a 3D CBCT scan in our Kentfield office, where Dr. G can look at your specific anatomy and walk you through your choices honestly, including how an implant compares to a bridge or denture for your situation. There's no pressure — just a clear, plain-English picture of what's possible for your smile.
- You're missing a tooth (or several) and want a stable, natural-looking replacement
- You'd rather not grind down healthy neighboring teeth to support a bridge
- You're tired of a removable partial or denture shifting when you eat or speak
- You want to help protect your jawbone and facial shape after losing a tooth
- You're a Kentfield or Marin resident looking to have planning, surgery, and the crown done in one office
Frequently asked questions
With good care, dental implants are one of the longest-lasting tooth replacements available. The titanium post is designed to last decades, and the porcelain crown on top often lasts many years — frequently in the 20-to-30-year range — with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups at our Kentfield office.
The procedure is done with thorough numbing, so most patients are comfortable during placement. Many are surprised that recovery feels more like a minor extraction than major surgery, and any soreness afterward is usually mild and manageable with simple over-the-counter care. Dr. G's comfort-focused approach is a big part of why anxious Marin patients feel at ease here.
An implant is the only option that replaces the tooth's root, which helps preserve jawbone and avoids grinding down neighboring teeth the way a bridge does. Bridges and dentures still have their place depending on your situation — at your consultation, Dr. G will compare all three honestly so you can choose what fits your needs and budget.
From start to finish, a typical single implant takes a few months, mostly to allow the bone to bond securely to the post. The active appointments are short; the waiting happens naturally while you heal. We'll give you a clear, personalized timeline after your 3D scan in our Kentfield office.
We can handle the full process in-house at our Kentfield office — 3D CBCT planning, surgical placement, and the final crown — so you're not bounced between offices across Marin. Doing things many practices refer out is exactly what Kentfield Dental is built for.
That's common and usually solvable. Procedures like bone grafting or a sinus lift can often rebuild a strong foundation before placement, and our in-house CBCT scan tells us exactly what your jaw needs. Dr. G will let you know during your consultation whether you'll need any preparatory step.
Kentfield Dental is a fee-for-service practice, so we're out-of-network with insurance plans. Many plans still reimburse a portion of implant treatment, and our team is glad to provide the documentation you need and discuss your investment clearly before you commit.