Dental Implants in Raleigh, NC

Dental Implant Care, from Placement to Restoration

Missing teeth can make eating, speaking, and smiling feel less comfortable. At Russo Dentistry, dental implants in Raleigh are planned around your oral health, your bite, and the appearance of your finished smile. Dr. Justin Russo and periodontist Dr. Thiago Morelli coordinate care to connect implant placement with a custom restoration.

Whether you are replacing one tooth or exploring options for several missing teeth, your consultation starts with a clear plan. We discuss the treatment stages, healing time, alternatives, and estimated costs before you decide.

Book an Implant Consultation Call 919-890-5147

A Coordinated Implant Team in Raleigh

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small post placed in the jawbone to support a replacement tooth. For a single missing tooth, the finished restoration typically has three parts:

• The implant: The foundation placed in the bone.
• The abutment: The connector between the implant and the replacement tooth.
• The crown: The visible tooth, designed to fit your bite and blend with your smile.

The implant needs a stable foundation and appropriate healing before the final restoration is attached. Learn more about the role of custom dental crowns in restoring a tooth’s appearance and function.

Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing one missing tooth

A single implant and crown can replace a tooth without preparing the neighboring teeth to support a traditional bridge. This can be helpful when the adjacent teeth are healthy. Your team evaluates the space, gum contour, and bone before recommending an implant.

Replacing several missing teeth

Depending on the location and number of missing teeth, implants may support individual crowns, a bridge, or a denture. You do not necessarily need one implant for every missing tooth. We can discuss which approach fits your anatomy and goals.

Comparing implants, bridges, and dentures

Dental implants involve surgery and a healing period. A dental bridge or removable denture may be an alternative. Your decision should consider your remaining teeth, treatment time, cleaning needs, and budget. We explain the choices relevant to your situation.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Your consultation includes an assessment of your gums, available bone, bite, and overall health. Tell us about medications, medical conditions, smoking, and any previous implant treatment. These details help us plan care and evaluate healing considerations.

Some patients need treatment for gum disease, an extraction, or bone grafting before an implant can be restored. If additional preparation is recommended, we explain why it is needed and how it affects the timeline. The examination determines whether implants are appropriate for you.

The Dental Implant Process

1. Consultation and planning. We evaluate your mouth and appropriate imaging, discuss your goals, and plan both the implant position and the replacement tooth.
2. Prepare the foundation. Any needed extraction, periodontal treatment, or grafting is incorporated into your plan. The timing depends on your individual findings.
3. Place the implant and allow healing. The implant is placed in the jawbone. Over time, the bone bonds with it to create support for the restoration. Follow-up visits help assess progress.
4. Complete the restoration. Once the implant is ready, the abutment and custom crown or other replacement teeth are fitted. We check the bite, fit, appearance, and access for cleaning.

Healing often takes several months, and preparation or grafting can extend the overall process. Ask about temporary tooth replacement during this time. Your team will explain which steps can be combined and which need a separate healing period.

Dental Implant Cost in Raleigh and Payment Options

Dental implant pricing is consultation-based. The total depends on the number of implants, imaging, any extraction or grafting, the abutment, and the final restoration. We review these components together so you can understand the scope of care.

Ask for a written estimate that identifies what is included. Our team can review estimated insurance benefits and discuss payment options. Coverage varies by plan; confirm any exclusions, limits, and membership-plan eligibility for the recommended treatment.

Caring for Your Dental Implant

Implants require ongoing maintenance. Follow the cleaning instructions for your particular crown, bridge, or denture, and attend recommended professional care and monitoring visits. The gums and bone around an implant can develop disease even though the implant itself cannot get a cavity.

After surgery, follow your personalized recovery and eating instructions. Contact the office promptly if an implant feels loose, pain is worsening, or you have concerns about healing. Your team will review expected recovery, potential complications, and when to call.

Dental Implant FAQs

How long do dental implants last?

Implants are intended to provide lasting support, but they are not guaranteed for life. Gum and bone health, home care, smoking, bite forces, and regular maintenance influence the outcome. A crown or other component may need repair or replacement over time.

Can I get an implant and permanent tooth in one day?

Some treatment steps can be combined in selected cases, but a newly placed implant often needs time to bond with the bone before the final tooth is attached. Your team will explain whether a temporary tooth is appropriate and when the permanent restoration can be completed.

Will I need a bone graft?

Not everyone does. The amount and shape of available bone help determine whether grafting is needed. Your examination and imaging allow the team to discuss the foundation required for your planned implant.

Is dental implant treatment painful?

We discuss anesthesia and comfort options before surgery. Soreness and swelling can occur during recovery. You will receive instructions specific to your procedure, along with guidance on what to expect and whom to contact with concerns.

Who provides dental implant care at Russo Dentistry?

Our approach combines Dr. Thiago Morelli’s periodontal and implant care with Dr. Justin Russo’s restorative dentistry. The team coordinates the treatment sequence and explains each doctor’s role in your individual plan.

What are the different parts of a dental implant?

The implant body is placed in the jawbone to provide support. An abutment connects it to the visible restoration, which may be a crown or part of a larger replacement. Understanding these components helps you compare estimates, because implant placement and the final tooth are distinct stages of care.

Am I too old for dental implants?

Age alone is not the deciding factor for adults. We assess overall health, oral hygiene, gum condition, available bone, and the ability to complete treatment and maintenance. Medical conditions or medicines may affect the plan. An individualized evaluation is more useful than a general age cutoff.

Can implants replace more than one missing tooth?

Depending on the pattern of missing teeth, implants may support individual crowns, a bridge, or a denture. A separate implant is not always required for every missing tooth. Your team will explain the available designs, how they are cleaned, and whether the planned restoration is fixed or removable.

How does an implant compare with a bridge or removable denture?

An implant uses support from the jawbone and involves surgery and healing. A traditional bridge usually relies on neighboring teeth, while a removable appliance can replace several teeth without an implant at each site. We compare oral health, function, maintenance, timing, and total cost before recommending an option.

What happens at my dental implant consultation?

We discuss your goals and medical history, examine your teeth and gums, and review the imaging needed for safe planning. The team considers both implant position and the final restoration. Ask about alternatives, grafting, temporary teeth, expected visits, and which fees are included in the proposed plan.

How long does the complete implant process take?

Treatment often spans several months because bone healing and integration take time. Extractions, grafting, the site’s condition, and restoration planning can add stages. We explain the expected sequence after your assessment and reassess healing before advancing; an initial timeline is an estimate rather than a guarantee.

Can an implant be placed when a tooth is extracted?

Immediate placement is possible in selected situations, but the bone, gum tissue, infection, and ability to achieve implant stability all matter. Other sites are better treated in stages. Immediate placement also does not automatically mean that a permanent crown can be used on the implant that day.

Will I have a temporary tooth while the implant heals?

Discuss temporary replacement options before surgery, particularly for a visible tooth. What is suitable depends on the implant site, healing needs, bite, and planned restoration. A temporary appliance may need adjustments and restrictions so it does not place unwanted pressure on a healing implant or graft.

What can I eat, and when can I return to normal activities after implant surgery?

Follow the instructions for your surgery, including the recommended food texture, cleaning method, and activity restrictions. Do not chew on the healing implant before you are cleared to do so. The extent of surgery and any sedation affect recovery, so ask about work and exercise before making commitments.

Will I need someone to drive me to my implant appointment?

Transportation depends on the anesthesia and medication plan. If you take prescribed anxiolysis medication, a responsible adult must drive you to and from the appointment. Do not drive yourself. Arrange transportation beforehand and follow the team’s instructions about supervision and when driving can resume.

Can I receive an implant if I have diabetes or a history of gum disease?

Possibly, but both conditions need careful assessment. Blood-sugar control, periodontal stability, and home care can affect healing and long-term outcomes. We may recommend managing active disease first and coordinating with your medical clinician. Provide your medication list and history so the plan reflects your risks.

Does smoking affect implant treatment?

Smoking can impair healing and lower the likelihood of long-term implant success. Tell the team about smoking, vaping, and other nicotine or tobacco use so these factors can be considered. Discuss cessation support and the recommendations for your treatment rather than assuming a brief pause removes all risk.

Can an implant get a cavity, and how do I clean it?

The implant itself does not develop tooth decay, but plaque-related inflammation can damage the gum and bone supporting it. Clean around the restoration and between teeth with the tools recommended for its design. Professional maintenance remains necessary even when an implant feels comfortable and looks normal.

What problems should I report after implant treatment?

Contact us promptly for increasing pain, significant swelling, bleeding that does not settle, persistent numbness, drainage, or any looseness of the implant or restoration. Complications can occur during healing or later and need assessment. Rapidly spreading swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing requires immediate emergency care.

What does the dental implant estimate include, and will insurance help?

Ask whether the estimate includes imaging, extraction, grafting, implant placement, abutment, temporary restoration, final crown or prosthesis, and maintenance. Not every patient needs every step. Insurance may cover only certain components or apply exclusions and annual limits. We can review benefits and payment options before treatment.

Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation in Raleigh

Your first dental implant consultation at Russo Dentistry starts with your goals, oral health, and questions about cost and treatment time. New patients can contact our team to arrange an evaluation with a plan for both implant placement and restoration. Visit 3811 Ed Drive, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27612, or view our office location and contact details.

Book an Implant Consultation Call 919-890-5147

For additional patient education, explore the American Academy of Periodontology’s single-tooth implant guide and the FDA’s dental implant overview.