Implants

Driftwood Dental Studio provides dental implants in Wilmington, NC for patients missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of their teeth. Both of our dentists, Dr. Jenny Turek and Dr. Prasad Vasamsetti, have completed the Fellowship program of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and Dr. Vasamsetti holds additional implantology training from the Triangle Dental Institute. A single implant with its crown typically runs $3,500 to $6,000 before insurance here in Wilmington, treatment takes three to six months from start to finish, and we offer CareCredit and Sunbit financing. Our office is at 5225 Sigmon Rd, just off Market Street near Mayfaire.

Ready to find out if implants are right for you? Call (910) 834-8787 or request an implant consultation online.

What a dental implant is, in plain terms

A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of a missing tooth's root. It is placed in the jawbone, where bone grows around it over a few months and locks it in place. A connector called an abutment is then attached to the post, and a custom crown, bridge or denture is fixed on top. The result looks, feels and works like a natural tooth: you brush and floss it the same way, you eat what you like, and there is nothing to take out at night.

Titanium is the same material used in hip and knee replacements because bone bonds to it so well. Implants have been used in dentistry for more than fifty years and, with normal care, are the longest-lasting tooth replacement available. A bridge typically needs replacing in seven to ten years; a well-cared-for implant is expected to last decades.

This short animation shows the difference between replacing a missing tooth with a bridge and replacing it with an implant.

In the animation you can see why a bridge requires reshaping the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap, while an implant stands on its own and leaves the neighboring teeth untouched. It also shows how the implant preserves the bone underneath, which a bridge does not.

Implant options we offer in Wilmington

Single tooth implant

One implant and one crown replace one missing tooth without touching the healthy teeth on either side. This is the most common implant treatment and the one most patients ask about first.

Multiple teeth: implant-supported bridge

If you are missing two, three or four teeth in a row, two implants can support a fixed bridge. You get several teeth back with fewer implants, and nothing rests on your natural teeth.

Implant-supported dentures (snap-in or fixed)

For patients missing all of their upper or lower teeth, four implants typically anchor a full denture. A snap-in (overdenture) design clicks onto the implants and is removed for cleaning; a fixed design stays in permanently and is cleaned like natural teeth. Either way, the denture stops slipping, you chew with far more force, and the implants preserve the jawbone that a conventional denture slowly wears away. If you already wear dentures and are tired of adhesive, this is usually the treatment we talk about first. See our Dentures page for how the two compare.

How the implant process works at Driftwood

• Consultation and 3D planning. We examine your mouth, take a digital scan (no goopy impression trays) and a 3D CT scan, taken right here in our office, to measure bone quality, quantity and position. You leave knowing whether you are a candidate, what it will cost, and how long it will take.
• Preparation, if needed. Some patients need a tooth removed or a bone graft before an implant can be placed; we do both here. We tell you up front if that applies to you and why.
• Implant placement. Our doctors place most implants right here in our Wilmington office. For the occasional complex case, such as an implant that sits close to the sinus, we partner with a trusted oral surgeon or periodontist for the placement and handle every step before and after in our office. The appointment is usually shorter than patients expect, with local anesthetic and, if you want it, nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
• Healing. The implant bonds with your bone over three to six months. Most patients wear a temporary tooth during this time so there is no gap.
• Your new tooth. We scan the healed implant, design your crown, bridge or denture to match your smile, and attach it. Then it is simply part of you.

Here is what a single front-tooth implant looks like from placement to final crown.

The animation shows the implant being placed in the jaw, the healing cap that protects it while the bone bonds to it over the following months, and the abutment and crown that complete the tooth. Most patients wear a temporary tooth during the healing period so there is never a visible gap.

What dental implants cost in Wilmington, NC

Patients ask us this before anything else, so here are honest ranges. These are our fees before insurance; because we accept most major dental plans, what you actually pay is often set by your plan's coverage and can be considerably less. Every mouth is different and your consultation will give you an exact, itemized quote, but you can expect:

• Single implant, abutment and crown: $3,500 – $6,000
• Implant-supported bridge (3–4 teeth on 2 implants): $8,000 – $15,000
• Snap-in implant denture (per arch, including implants): $12,000 – $25,000
• Bone graft, when needed: $500 – $3,000

What moves the price: how many implants you need, whether bone grafting is required, the type of final restoration, and whether a temporary tooth is needed during healing. Dental insurance often covers part of the crown and sometimes part of the implant; we check your benefits before treatment. We are in-network with more than 30 plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Guardian; see the full list on our Financial Information page. We accept CareCredit and Sunbit financing so a monthly amount, not the total, is what you compare.

Why patients choose Driftwood for implants

• Two dentists with ICOI Fellowship training in implant dentistry, and Dr. Vasamsetti's Triangle Dental Institute implantology program (2018). Implants are a focus here, not an occasional procedure.
• Conservative, honest treatment planning. If a bridge or a well-made denture is the better answer for you, we will say so. Our practice philosophy is integrity, honesty and conservatism in treatment.
• Comfort options: nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation for longer appointments, blankets, neck pillows, your choice of music, and Abby, our certified therapy dog.
• Digital scanning and computer-guided planning instead of impression trays and guesswork.
• A 4.9-star Google rating from Wilmington patients who describe the team as kind, calming and thorough.
• One office, one team, from the first conversation to your final crown.

Are you a candidate?

Most healthy adults with a missing tooth are candidates. The things we look at are the amount and density of jawbone where the tooth was lost, gum health, and general health factors such as uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking that slow healing. Bone loss is common after a tooth has been gone for a while and it does not rule you out; it usually means a graft first. The only way to know is a consultation and a scan, and there is no charge for the consultation.

Frequently asked questions about dental implants

Does getting a dental implant hurt?

Placement is done under local anesthetic and most patients say it is easier than having a tooth pulled. Expect soreness for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you are anxious, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation.

How long do dental implants last?

The titanium implant itself is expected to last a lifetime with normal brushing, flossing and checkups. The crown on top typically lasts 10 to 15 years or more before it may need replacing, the same as a crown on a natural tooth.

How long does the whole process take?

Usually three to six months from placement to final crown, because the implant needs time to bond with the bone. If you need a bone graft first, plan on six to nine months in total. You will have a temporary tooth in the meantime.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Many plans now cover part of the crown and some cover part of the implant, usually up to the plan's annual maximum. We verify your benefits before treatment and give you a written estimate. CareCredit and Sunbit financing can cover the rest.

Am I too old for implants?

No. Age is not a factor; bone and general health are. We regularly place implants for patients in their 70s and 80s.

What is the difference between an implant and a bridge?

A bridge is anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap, which means grinding down two healthy teeth, and it typically lasts 7 to 10 years. An implant stands on its own, preserves the bone, and is expected to last decades. A bridge is faster and costs less up front. We will walk you through both.

Can implants replace my dentures?

Yes. Two to four implants can hold a snap-in denture that stops slipping and lets you eat normally, or a fixed set of teeth that never comes out. Many of our implant patients are long-time denture wearers.

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We offer CareCredit and Sunbit financing, and we accept most major dental insurance plans and credit cards.

Schedule your implant consultation in Wilmington

Driftwood Dental Studio is at 5225 Sigmon Rd Ste 130, Wilmington, NC 28403, off Market Street near Mayfaire, and we see patients from Ogden, Porters Neck, Wrightsville Beach, Leland, Hampstead and across the Cape Fear region. Hours are Monday–Wednesday 8 AM–5 PM, Thursday 8 AM–4 PM and Friday 7 AM–noon.

Call (910) 834-8787 or request an appointment online. New patients are welcome.