Dental Implants

A dental implant is a titanium post surgically placed into your jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root, topped with a custom crown that matches your natural teeth. Over 3 to 6 months, the post fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, the process by which the implant bonds directly to bone, creating a foundation stable enough to bite and chew normally. Once healed, your dentist attaches an abutment and crown, completing a replacement tooth built to function and look like the real thing. Learn more about the dental implant procedure at Cary Family Dental.

Most healthy adults with sufficient jawbone density and healthy gums are good candidates for dental implants. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or heavy smoking can slow healing, and patients with significant bone loss sometimes need a bone graft before implant placement. The best way to know for sure is a consultation and imaging with your implant dentist. Visit our dental implant candidacy page for a full breakdown of what we look for.

Most patients feel little to no discomfort during the implant procedure itself, since the area is fully numbed with local anesthesia. Afterward, mild soreness or swelling for a few days is normal and is usually managed with over the counter pain medication. Many patients say recovery is easier than they expected, especially compared to a tooth extraction.

The cost of a dental implant depends on several factors: how many teeth you’re replacing, whether you need a bone graft, and the type of restoration (a single crown, an implant supported bridge, or a full arch replacement). In the Cary and Raleigh area, a single tooth implant, including the post, abutment, and crowns, typically runs $3,000-$5,000. Because every case is different, we provide a cost estimate based on your treatment plan after your consultation, and we’ll walk you through your financial options at the same time.

Coverage varies widely by plan, and some insurance providers only cover a portion of implant treatment under major restorative benefits. Cary Family Dental is not in-network with any insurance company, but we file all PPO claims on your behalf as a courtesy and offer a complimentary benefit check so you know what to expect before treatment begins. Visit our understanding insurance page for more on how your specific plan may apply.

Cary Family Dental offers several ways to make implant treatment affordable. Patients who pay in full on the day of service receive a 3 to 5% courtesy discount, and outside financing through your bank or credit union is also an option. We also offer the Individual Dental Plan for uninsured patients, which includes free preventive care and 10% savings on all other services, and Dental Warranty, a 5 year protection plan for restorative work like implants with no waiting period. See our financing options page for details.

With proper care, dental implants can last 20 to 30 years, and many patients keep theirs for life. The titanium post itself rarely needs replacement once it has fused with the jawbone; the crown on top may need replacement after 10 to 15 years of normal wear. Brushing, flossing, and keeping up with regular dental visits are the biggest factors in how long your implant lasts.

A dental implant replaces both the tooth and the root, while a bridge only replaces the visible tooth and relies on the teeth next to the gap for support, and traditional dentures rest on the gums without any root replacement at all. Because an implant is anchored in the jawbone, it stops the bone loss that naturally continues after tooth loss, something bridges and dentures can’t do. Implants also don’t require altering healthy neighboring teeth the way a bridge does. Compare all your options on our implants vs. dentures and bridges page.

Leaving a gap can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of position and the jawbone underneath to gradually shrink from lack of stimulation. Over time, this can change your bite, make chewing harder, and even affect the shape of your face. The longer you wait, the more bone loss you may need to address with a graft before an implant is possible, so earlier treatment is almost always simpler.

Implant dentistry is a specialized skill that requires additional training beyond dental school, so look for a dentist with hands-on implant credentials and real case experience. Dr. Allan Acton at Cary Family Dental is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and has completed extensive continuing education in implant dentistry, including the Kois Continuum and Hornbrook Continuum. Ask any prospective implant dentist how many implants they’ve placed and to see before-and-after photos of their own patients. Cary Family Dental welcomes implant patients from Cary, Raleigh, and the surrounding Triangle area. Read more about how to choose an implant dentist.