At a glance
A dental implant replaces a single missing tooth. A small post is placed in the jawbone where the root used to be, and after it heals, a crown is attached on top. We place and restore single implants in our Richmond office under local anesthetic as part of our restorative dentistry.
Treatment takes several visits spread over a few months while the implant heals. You get a written estimate before treatment.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Several visits: planning, placement, healing check, then the crown |
| Timeline | A few months of healing between placement and the final crown |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic to numb the area; you stay awake and comfortable |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | All PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Is a dental implant right for you?
An implant may be a good choice if:
- You are missing one tooth, or a tooth needs to come out
- The teeth beside the gap are healthy and you would rather not have them shaped for a bridge
- Your gums are healthy, or gum disease has been treated first
- There is enough bone where the tooth was, which we check on X-rays
- You are willing to wait a few months for the full result
Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes make healing harder, so we discuss them up front. Our guide on how smoking affects implants explains why.
What happens during implant treatment?
- Consultation: we examine the area, take X-rays and review your health history and medicines.
- Placement: the area is numbed and the implant post is placed in the jaw. The gum is closed around it.
- Healing: over a few months the bone grows around the implant. You can usually wear a temporary option in the meantime if the gap shows.
- Restoring: once healed, we attach a connector and take an impression for the crown.
- Final crown: the crown is fitted, checked against your bite and secured in place.
Cost, insurance and financing
Implant cost depends on the tooth, whether an extraction is needed first, and the parts and crown used. We do not publish a single implant price; you get a written estimate covering each stage before you commit. See dental prices for our published prices on other treatment.
Most PPO plans and Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits help pay for this kind of treatment. We check your benefits before your visit and tell you what your plan is likely to cover, so the number you see is close to the number you pay. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Texas Medicaid/CHIP is accepted for children only. See our insurance page for details.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
After the implant is placed, expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days. Eat soft foods, chew on the other side and keep the area clean as instructed. Once the crown is on, brush and floss around it like a natural tooth and keep up regular cleanings.
Our dental implant aftercare instructions walk you through the first days and weeks.
What are the alternatives to an implant?
| Option | How it works | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Single implant | Post in the jaw holds one crown | Does not involve neighboring teeth; several months; written estimate |
| 3-unit bridge | False tooth fixed to crowns on the teeth beside the gap | Done in about 5 days; neighbors are shaped; from $3,499 |
| Partial denture | Removable plate with a replacement tooth | Lower cost; comes out to clean; from $1,399 |
| Leave the gap | No treatment | Nearby teeth can drift; chewing may be harder |
We place single-tooth implants as part of our oral surgery care. For full-arch implant treatment, we refer you to a specialist.
When to call us
After implant surgery, call us if bleeding does not slow with firm pressure, swelling gets worse after the third day, you develop a fever, or the implant or crown feels loose. For uncontrolled bleeding or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the ER or call 911. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday, so treatment does not have to mean a day off work (Saturday dentist in Richmond).
- Published self-pay prices for common treatment and a written estimate for everything else, with insurance benefits checked before your visit.
- Single implants placed and restored in the same office, so you do not have to coordinate between two practices.
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Related guides
- How smoking affects dental implants (and what you can do)
- How soon can you eat solid food after a tooth extraction?
- Replacing a failing or old dental bridge
Frequently asked questions
Most of the time is healing. After the implant is placed, the bone needs a few months to grow around it before the crown is attached. We give you a timeline at your consultation.
The area is numbed with local anesthetic during placement. Soreness and some swelling for a few days afterward are common and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers, following the package directions or your dentist’s advice.
Some PPO and Medicare Advantage dental plans cover part of implant treatment; many do not. We check your benefits and give you a written estimate before you decide.
No. We place and restore single-tooth implants. For full-arch treatment, we refer you to a specialist.