Restorative · Since 1987
Dental Implants in Wilmington, NC
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium post, then a crown on top of it. It is the only replacement that keeps the jawbone working the way a natural tooth does.
About implants
When a tooth comes out, the bone that held it starts to shrink. That is why a face changes shape years after a loss, and why a bridge or partial that fit well in 2019 rocks by 2024. An implant stops that process because the post loads the bone every time you chew.
We plan every case on a 3D scan before anything is placed. That scan shows nerve position, sinus floor and available bone volume, so the plan you approve is the plan that happens in the chair.
How it works
- Consultation and 3D scanWe look at bone, bite and gum health, then show you the scan on screen and talk through what is realistic.
- Extraction or grafting, if neededSometimes a failing tooth comes out and the site is grafted the same day. Sometimes we place immediately.
- Implant placementA single implant takes under an hour. You are numb, and sedation is available if you want it.
- HealingThree to six months while bone grows onto the post. You leave with a temporary so nobody sees a gap.
- Final crownWe take records, the lab builds the crown to match your other teeth, and it goes on.
Recovery and aftercare
Most patients take ibuprofen for a day or two and go back to work the next morning. Once the final crown is on, you brush and floss it like a tooth. The maintenance that matters is your cleaning schedule, since the gum around an implant needs the same attention as gum around a root.
Cost and coverage
Implant cost depends on how many you need, whether a tooth has to come out first, and whether the site needs bone grafting. Some plans cover part of the restoration even when they exclude the implant itself. We give you a written number before you commit to anything, and we go through financing at the consultation.
You may be a candidate if
- You are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of them
- A bridge or partial denture has started to move, click or trap food
- You want to stop wearing something removable
- You have enough bone, or are willing to have it built up first
- You are healthy enough for a routine outpatient procedure
Dental Implants by town
We see patients from across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Barry Frazelle
Dr. Frazelle on why the injection is nothing to dread, and a cheap whitening habit he gives patients.
Questions we get asked
How long does a dental implant last?
The post itself is designed to be permanent, and implants placed decades ago are still in service. The crown on top is the part that eventually wears, usually somewhere past the fifteen year mark.
Does getting an implant hurt?
Placement is done under local anesthetic and most people describe it as easier than the extraction that preceded it. Soreness for two or three days is normal. Sedation is available if the idea of the appointment is the hard part.
Can I get an implant if I have been missing the tooth for years?
Often yes, though longer gaps mean more bone loss. That is what the 3D scan tells us. If there is not enough bone, grafting is usually an option.
Am I too old for dental implants?
Age on its own is not a disqualifier. We place implants for patients in their eighties. Healing capacity and medical history matter more than the number.
What is the alternative if I am not a candidate?
A fixed bridge or a well-made partial denture. We will tell you plainly if we think an implant is the wrong call for your situation.
Dental Implants
You have probably been told several different things about this.
Bring the opinions you have already been given. We will look at your scan with you and say which parts we agree with.
- Three doctors, 50+ years of combined experience
- Implant surgery and restoration in one building
- Sedation available for longer appointments
- Written, phased treatment plans with costs attached
Worried it is too much work at your age? Health matters far more than the number, and we will tell you if we think a smaller plan serves you better.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
