Losing a tooth — whether from decay, injury, gum disease, or extraction — affects far more than your smile’s appearance. It changes how you chew, how you speak, how the surrounding teeth behave over time, and how much bone remains in your jaw. The longer a missing tooth goes unreplaced, the more those downstream effects compound.
Dental implants are the closest thing dentistry has to a natural tooth replacement. A titanium implant post is placed in the jawbone where the root once was, a custom crown is attached on top, and the result looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth — with no removable components, no adhesives, and no compromise in bite strength. At Magnolia Way Dentistry in Apex, NC, Dr. Wayand provides implant consultations and implant crown restorations, guiding patients through the full process from evaluation to final placement.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a three-part tooth replacement system designed to replicate the entire structure of a natural tooth — root and crown:
- The implant post — a small titanium screw surgically placed into the jawbone, which acts as an artificial tooth root. Titanium is used because it naturally fuses with bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable, permanent anchor
- The abutment — a connector piece that attaches to the top of the implant post once it has fully integrated with the bone, providing the foundation for the crown
- The implant crown — a custom-made porcelain crown fabricated to match the shape, size, and shade of your surrounding teeth, permanently attached to the abutment
The end result is a restoration that functions exactly like a natural tooth — you brush it, floss it, bite with it, and in most cases, forget it’s there.
Why Dental Implants Are the Gold Standard for Tooth Replacement
There are several ways to replace a missing tooth — implants, bridges, and dentures — but dental implants are consistently considered the superior long-term solution for most patients. Here’s why:
They Preserve the Jawbone
This is the most significant advantage that implants have over every other tooth replacement option. When a tooth root is lost, the jawbone beneath it no longer receives the stimulation it needs to maintain its density. Without that stimulation, the bone gradually resorbs — shrinking in height and width. This is why long-term denture wearers often develop a sunken facial appearance over time.
A dental implant post replicates the function of a natural tooth root, transmitting biting forces into the bone and preserving its volume and density for decades. No other tooth replacement option does this.
They Don’t Compromise Adjacent Teeth
A traditional dental bridge — the most common fixed alternative to an implant — requires crowning the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors. This means permanently altering healthy tooth structure to support the bridge. A dental implant stands entirely on its own, leaving neighboring teeth untouched.
They Look and Function Like Real Teeth
A well-placed implant crown is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth. It doesn’t slip, click, or require removal for cleaning. There are no food restrictions. Bite strength is comparable to a natural tooth. Patients consistently report that implants feel like their own teeth within a short adjustment period.
They Last
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. The implant post itself — once fully integrated — rarely needs to be replaced. The crown on top may need replacement after 15 to 20 years of normal wear, but the implant foundation below typically remains intact indefinitely. No other tooth replacement option matches this longevity.
Dental Implants vs. Bridges vs. Dentures
Understanding how implants compare to alternatives helps patients make an informed decision:
Dental Implant vs. Dental Bridge
- An implant preserves the jawbone; a bridge does not — bone loss under the bridge gap continues over time
- An implant doesn’t require altering adjacent teeth; a bridge requires crowning both neighboring teeth
- An implant is cleaned like a natural tooth; a bridge requires a special floss threader to clean under the pontic
- An implant typically has a longer lifespan than a bridge
- An implant has a higher upfront cost but often a lower lifetime cost when bridge replacement and ongoing bone loss are factored in
Dental Implant vs. Dentures
- Implants are fixed in place; dentures are removable and can shift during eating or speaking
- Implants preserve bone; dentures accelerate bone loss by placing pressure on the gum ridge rather than stimulating the bone
- Implants restore full or near-full bite force; dentures typically reduce chewing efficiency significantly
- Implant-supported dentures — dentures anchored by multiple implants — offer a middle ground that dramatically improves stability and bone preservation over conventional dentures
The Dental Implant Process — What to Expect
Dental implant treatment is a multi-stage process that typically takes several months from start to finish — most of which is healing time, not active treatment. Here’s a clear overview of what’s involved:
Step 1: Implant Consultation and Evaluation
Your implant journey begins with a thorough evaluation at Magnolia Way Dentistry. Dr. Wayand assesses the health of your gums, reviews bone density and volume at the implant site (using X-rays or a CBCT scan if needed), evaluates the condition of neighboring teeth, and discusses your medical history to identify any factors that might affect treatment or healing.
This consultation results in a clear picture of whether you’re a candidate for implants, what the full treatment timeline looks like, and what the total cost of treatment will be — with no pressure to proceed.
Step 2: Implant Placement Surgery
The surgical placement of the implant post is performed by an oral surgeon or periodontist — a specialist Dr. Wayand works with and refers to for the surgical phase of implant treatment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia (and often sedation), and most patients report the experience as far more manageable than they anticipated.
After placement, a healing period of three to six months is required to allow osseointegration — the process by which the titanium post fuses with the surrounding jawbone. During this period, a temporary restoration may be placed to maintain aesthetics.
Step 3: Abutment Placement
Once the implant has fully integrated, a small abutment is attached to the top of the post. This minor procedure is performed at the surgical site and is followed by a brief additional healing period of two to four weeks for the gum tissue to settle around the abutment.
Step 4: Implant Crown Fabrication and Placement
This is where Dr. Wayand takes over. Once the implant and abutment are fully healed, impressions or a digital scan of the abutment and surrounding teeth are taken at Magnolia Way Dentistry. A custom porcelain crown is fabricated — matched precisely to the shape, size, and shade of your natural teeth — and permanently attached to the abutment.
The moment the crown is seated, you have a complete, fully functional tooth replacement. Most patients leave this final appointment genuinely pleased by how natural it looks and feels.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most healthy adults who are missing one or more teeth are candidates for dental implants. The primary requirements are:
- Sufficient bone volume and density at the implant site to support the post — patients with significant bone loss may need a bone graft procedure before implant placement
- Healthy gums with no active periodontal disease — gum disease must be treated and controlled before implant surgery
- Good overall health — certain medical conditions and medications can affect healing and osseointegration; Dr. Wayand reviews your full health history during the consultation
- Non-smoking or willingness to stop smoking during the healing period — tobacco use significantly increases implant failure rates
- Commitment to oral hygiene and regular maintenance — implants require the same care as natural teeth
Patients who don’t currently meet all criteria aren’t necessarily disqualified — they may simply need preparatory treatment first. Bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or medical management of certain conditions can create the conditions needed for successful implant placement. Dr. Wayand will discuss your specific situation clearly and honestly.
Caring for Your Dental Implant
One of the great advantages of dental implants is that they require no special maintenance routine. Care for your implant exactly as you would a natural tooth:
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush — pay attention to the gumline around the crown
- Floss daily — use regular floss or an implant-specific flosser to clean around the base of the crown
- A water flosser is an excellent supplemental tool for cleaning around implants
- Attend regular checkups and cleanings at Magnolia Way Dentistry — the implant, abutment, and surrounding bone are monitored at each visit
- Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth — excessive force can damage the crown over time
While the implant post itself is not susceptible to decay, the gum tissue and bone surrounding it can be affected by bacterial infection (called peri-implantitis) if oral hygiene is neglected. Keeping the area clean and maintaining your professional care schedule protects the long-term health of your implant.
Dental Implants for Apex, Cary, Holly Springs & Surrounding Communities
Magnolia Way Dentistry serves patients from Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Raleigh who are considering dental implants. Dr. Wayand provides the full consultation, treatment coordination, and implant crown restoration — working closely with trusted surgical specialists for the implant placement phase to ensure the best possible outcome for each patient.
- Comprehensive implant consultations with honest candidacy assessment
- Coordinated referral to trusted surgical specialists for placement
- Custom implant crown fabrication and placement at Magnolia Way Dentistry
- Long-term implant monitoring at every routine checkup
- Most major dental insurance plans accepted — some plans include implant benefits
- CareCredit financing available for implant treatment costs
Frequently Asked Questions
The total cost of a dental implant involves several components: the surgical placement of the implant post, the abutment, and the custom crown. Costs vary based on the number of teeth being replaced, whether bone grafting is needed, and your specific clinical situation. Dental implants are a significant investment, but one that typically has a lower lifetime cost than bridges or dentures when replacement and associated treatments are factored in. During your consultation at Magnolia Way Dentistry, you’ll receive a clear, complete cost estimate. Some dental insurance plans include implant benefits, and CareCredit financing is available.
The full dental implant process — from initial placement to final crown — typically takes four to eight months, depending on healing time and whether preparatory procedures like bone grafting are needed. Most of that time is passive healing rather than active treatment. The number of actual appointments is relatively small: a consultation, the surgical placement, an abutment connection visit, and the crown delivery appointment at Magnolia Way Dentistry. Dr. Wayand will outline your specific timeline during the consultation.
The implant placement surgery is performed under local anesthesia and often sedation, so you should feel no pain during the procedure. Most patients report that the post-surgical discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and is significantly less than they anticipated — comparable to a tooth extraction. Some soreness and mild swelling for a few days after surgery is normal. The crown placement at Magnolia Way Dentistry is entirely comfortable with no anesthesia needed.
The titanium implant post, once fully integrated with the jawbone, can last a lifetime with proper care and regular dental maintenance. The implant crown on top typically lasts 15 to 20 or more years before normal wear may require replacement — but the foundation beneath it generally remains intact. This longevity is one of the key reasons implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
Implant failure is uncommon — success rates for dental implants are consistently reported above 95% in the dental literature. The most common causes of failure are infection (peri-implantitis), insufficient bone integration, tobacco use, uncontrolled systemic disease, or excessive bite force. Dr. Wayand carefully screens for these risk factors during the consultation and will discuss them openly if any apply to your situation. Following post-surgical care instructions and maintaining excellent oral hygiene dramatically reduces the risk of complications
No — there is no upper age limit for dental implant treatment. Older adults receive implants successfully every day, and many find that implants significantly improve their quality of life compared to dentures. The key factors are overall health, bone availability, and gum health — not age. Some health conditions that are more common in older adults may require additional evaluation, but age alone is not a barrier. Dr. Wayand will evaluate your specific health profile during your consultation.
Leaving a missing tooth unreplaced triggers a chain of consequences over time. The jawbone at the extraction site begins to resorb — shrinking in volume — within the first year. Neighboring teeth drift toward the gap, and the tooth above or below it may begin to over-erupt (shift out of alignment) because it no longer has an opposing tooth to bite against. These shifts create bite problems, jaw strain, and make future tooth replacement more complicated. The sooner a missing tooth is replaced, the simpler the treatment and the better the long-term outcome.
Possibly — it depends on the extent of bone loss and where it has occurred. Patients with significant bone loss may be candidates for a bone graft procedure to rebuild the site before implant placement. Bone grafting is a well-established procedure that creates the volume needed to support an implant. Dr. Wayand will evaluate your bone levels during your consultation and discuss whether grafting is needed and what that adds to the timeline and cost.
