University of California San Francisco
Implants
Dental implants offer a stable, natural-looking replacement for missing teeth and a secure alternative to removable dentures. Made from materials compatible with bone and tissue, implants integrate with the jaw to support individual crowns, bridges, or full and partial dentures. Unlike traditional dentures—which can slip, irritate gums, and make eating or speaking difficult—implants function like natural teeth, restoring comfort, confidence, and chewing ability. They also help prevent bone loss by acting like natural tooth roots, preserving the jaw’s structure and long-term oral health.
Please note: The Student Dental Implant Program is limited to two implants per patient. Complex cases may be referred to another UCSF Dental Center specialty clinic.
Why choose UCSF for dental implants?
UCSF is a world leader in health care and research, dedicated to providing excellent, patient-centered care. The UCSF Dental Center has been caring for people’s teeth and training the top dentists since 1881.
Our faculty and residents provide world-class oral health care to the Bay Area community. Many of the nation’s top dental students complete their training here, working alongside expert faculty to deliver outstanding care. Three UCSF clinics can provide high quality dental implants that will have you smiling again in no time.
As a patient at the UCSF Dental Center, you’ll experience:
- Personalized treatment plans
- Advanced technology
- A collaborative faculty-resident care team
- An emphasis on education and comfort
- A longstanding commitment to excellence
Payment and insurance options
Different clinics work with different insurance plans, and participation may change over time. Please be sure to ask our staff about insurance options when scheduling your appointment.
What to expect
Personalized consultation
Our providers take time to understand both your dental needs and your lifestyle, ensuring that your treatment plan is tailored to you from the very first visit.
You will first meet with one of our surgeons, who will conduct an evaluation to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for dental implants. Patients who receive dental implants must be in good health, have a healthy lifestyle and healthy gums, adequate bone to support implants and be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
If you were referred by your dentist, we will be in close communication with that dentist to ensure proper scheduling for the restoration. If you need a restoring dentist, we can refer you to one who we typically work with. The restoring dentist will place a crown above the implant. Please note that their services will have their own set of financial expectations.
Bring records and insurance
Please share any previous dental records and provide your insurance information so our team can efficiently coordinate your care and coverage.
Let us know in advance if you have a recent (within six months) set of panoramic X-rays. Standard full-mouth X-rays are insufficient for a comprehensive evaluation. Please send electronic files of your panoramic X-rays to OMFSxrays@ucsf.edu. If you bring a copy on a disk or drive and our system is not compatible with that digital format, we may not be able to view it. In that case, we will need to take panoramic X-rays on the day of your evaluation. You will be responsible for the cost of those X-rays.
You should also bring:
- Government-issued identification
- Health insurance information, including authorizations or referrals
- Registration forms
- List of prescription medications and dosages
- List of medications that you're allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Recent test results related to your condition
- Paper and pen or pencil to take notes
Receive your dental plan
Your provider will outline your personalized treatment plan, explain the next steps, and schedule follow-up visits to keep your care on track.