Dental Implants in Addison, TX
One Doctor, From First Scan to Final Crown
If you’ve been hiding your smile or struggling with dentures that slip, dental implants at Addison Family Dentistry can replace missing teeth with a titanium post in your jaw and a custom crown on top. Dr. Adrian De Vincenzo, DMD, places and restores your implants in one office.
Call 972-243-3948 to book your complimentary implant consultation. New and existing patients are both welcome, and you will leave knowing whether implants fit your situation and what treatment would involve.
Understanding Dental Implants
Why Replace a Missing Tooth
Replacing a missing tooth protects more than your smile. Without a root in the jaw, the bone under the gap can gradually shrink, and neighboring teeth can drift toward the space. Many people also start working around the gap by chewing on one side or keeping their lips closed in photos. You shouldn’t have to plan your meals and your smile around a missing tooth, and wanting it fixed isn’t vanity. If you’ve been wearing dentures that shift or rub, that frustration is just as real.
How a Dental Implant Works
A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Dr. De Vincenzo places a Grade 5 titanium alloy implant in your jaw, and over the following months it fuses with the bone. Then we attach a connector called an abutment and a custom crown, or a bridge or denture, on top, so the new tooth feels and works like your own.
Before any of that, our 3D cone beam scanner lets Dr. De Vincenzo see your bone and gums and plan placement precisely. He designs your crown to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth, and because an implant doesn’t rely on the teeth beside it, those teeth are left unaltered.
Implants vs. Bridges vs. Dentures
Dental implants, bridges and dentures all replace missing teeth, but they work differently. Implants replace the root and are placed in the jaw, bridges attach to neighboring teeth, and dentures rest on the gums. At Addison Family Dentistry in Addison, TX, Dr. De Vincenzo and Dr. Saremi help you compare options.
| What to compare | Dental implants | Dental bridges | Dentures |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | A small post is placed in the jawbone to act as a tooth root, then topped with a crown. | A replacement tooth is held in place by crowns on the teeth beside the gap. | A removable set of teeth rests on your gums, or clips to remaining teeth (partial). |
| Best for | One tooth, several teeth, or a full arch, when your gums and jawbone are healthy enough. | One to a few teeth in a row, when the neighboring teeth can support crowns. | Many or all missing teeth, or when surgery isn't an option. |
| Neighboring teeth | Not altered. | Reshaped to hold the crowns. | Partials clip onto them. Full dentures don't use them. |
| Jawbone | Anchored in the jaw, which helps preserve bone where the tooth was lost. | Doesn't replace the root, so bone under the gap can shrink over time. | Doesn't replace the root, and the jaw can change shape, so refitting may be needed. |
| Eating and speaking | Feels and works closest to natural teeth. | Fixed in place, so comfortable for most foods. | Can shift, and some people avoid very hard or sticky foods. |
| Daily care | Brush and floss like natural teeth, with regular checkups. | Clean under the bridge with floss threaders or a water flosser. | Remove and clean every day. |
| Treatment time | Longest, because the jaw needs time to heal before the final crown. | Usually shorter than implants. | Varies by case. |
| Over time | Designed as a long-term solution with good care. | May need to be replaced eventually. | Need periodic adjustments, relines, or replacement. |
| Upfront cost | Typically the highest upfront. | Typically in the middle. | Typically the lowest upfront. |
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most adults who are generally healthy, with healthy gums and enough jawbone to hold an implant, are good candidates, and we confirm that with an exam and 3D imaging. If one of those isn’t true yet, we will tell you what it would take, such as treating gum disease or placing a bone graft first.
- Good general health. Placement is a surgical procedure, so you need to be healthy enough to heal well.
- Enough jawbone. The jaw has to hold the implant securely. If it can't yet, a bone graft may come first.
- Healthy gums. If you have gum disease, we treat it before placing an implant.
- Consistent oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups help an implant last.
- No smoking. Smoking can interfere with healing and lower an implant's chance of success.
Our Process
1. The Initial Consultation
Dr. De Vincenzo examines your smile and uses 3D imaging to see whether implants are a good fit for you. If bone loss or gum concerns come up, he walks you through the next steps before anything moves forward, so you know what to expect before you commit to treatment.
2. Implant Placement
We numb the area completely and offer sedation if you feel nervous. Dr. De Vincenzo makes a small incision, places the implant post in your jaw, and closes the area so it can heal. The procedure itself is done right here in our Addison office, with the same team you met at your first visit.
3. The Healing Period
Over the next few months, the implant fuses with your jawbone. Peer-reviewed reviews describe about three to four months of conventional healing in the lower jaw and six to eight months in the upper jaw, and Dr. De Vincenzo will give you your own timeline. We give you a temporary tooth so you can keep eating and smiling comfortably while you heal. Once healing is complete, we place an abutment, the small connector your crown will attach to.
4. Your Final Crown
You come in for one last visit. We fit and polish your custom crown, and from there your new tooth is ready for everyday life. If a crown or bridge on your implant ever needs repair, our restorative dentistry services cover that too, so you stay with a team that already knows your case.
Options If You're Missing Multiple Teeth
You still have options that do not require one implant for every missing tooth. Depending on how many teeth are missing and where, Dr. De Vincenzo may recommend single implants, an implant bridge, or All-on-4. Each option is explained below, and your exam decides which one fits.
A Few Missing Teeth
Single implants can fill each gap without affecting the healthy teeth around it. Each implant is placed and restored on its own, so the teeth beside the gap stay untouched and you keep as much of your natural enamel as possible.
Several Teeth in a Row
An implant bridge uses two implants to support up to three missing teeth in a row. That means we do not need to file down the nearby teeth the way a traditional bridge does, and you get a fixed replacement that stays in place.
Most or All Teeth
All-on-4 replaces a full upper or lower arch using just four implants, and in some cases it can be done without a bone graft. Read more about All-on-4 dental implants to see whether a full-arch option fits you.
Dental Implant Cost in Addison, TX
Every implant case is different, so we begin with a consultation to review your oral health and treatment needs, then give you a clear, detailed estimate before you decide. Your final cost depends on how many implants you need, whether you need an extraction or bone graft first, the type of restoration, and whether you choose sedation. Implants typically cost more upfront than bridges or dentures. To see what to ask about your plan, read about our dental insurance options.
Why Choose Addison Family Dentistry for Dental Implants
At Addison Family Dentistry, Dr. Adrian De Vincenzo, DMD, places and restores your implants himself, so you are not passed between practices or specialists. He is specially trained in implant surgery and has advanced training in restorative care and sedation. That means Dr. De Vincenzo knows your case from the first scan to the final crown.
We are an independent, husband-and-wife practice, not a corporate chain. Dr. Sara Saremi, DMD, works alongside Dr. De Vincenzo, and you can meet both dentists before you book. We take our time with your questions and give you honest guidance without pressure or judgment.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation
Picture ordering whatever you want at dinner without a second thought about your teeth, and handing someone your phone for a group photo without worrying how you look. A consultation is where that starts. Dr. De Vincenzo will examine your mouth, then explain your options and what comes next based on your goals. Call 972-243-3948 to schedule your visit at Addison Family Dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get dental implants?
Plan on a few months from placement to your final crown. After surgery, the implant fuses with your jawbone before we attach the abutment and your custom crown. If you need a bone graft first, that adds several more months. You’ll wear a temporary tooth while you heal, and we’ll give you a clear timeline at your consultation.
Will getting a dental implant hurt?
We numb the area completely and offer sedation if you feel nervous, so most people feel little more than minor discomfort during the procedure. Expect some soreness and possibly swelling for a few days afterward. Dr. De Vincenzo will explain how to manage it, and prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress usually help.
What can cause a dental implant to fail?
The most common cause is peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that can develop when oral hygiene slips after placement. Too little jawbone and tobacco use can also interfere with healing. That is why we check your bone and gums first, and why we may recommend a bone graft or gum treatment before placing an implant.
How do I take care of my dental implants?
Care for implants much like natural teeth. Brush and floss daily, follow the post-op instructions Dr. De Vincenzo gives you, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and the risk of infection. Come to every follow-up appointment so we can monitor your healing, then keep up your regular checkups and cleanings.
What foods should i avoid after getting dental implants?
While you heal, skip hard foods like ice and hard candy, sticky foods like caramel and gum, very hot or cold foods, tough foods like jerky, and popcorn kernels or seeds that can lodge in your gums. Once you are fully healed and your final teeth are in place, ask us when you can return to your usual diet.
Will my dental implants look natural?
They should. Dr. De Vincenzo designs your crown to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth, so it blends in with your smile. If you are curious what an implant looks like beneath the crown, our page on what dental implants look like shows each part.
Are there payment plans for dental implants in addison, tx?
Yes. For larger treatments like implants, we offer financing through CareCredit, with low and no-interest payment options that spread the cost into monthly payments. Our team walks you through the application. We are also in-network with most major PPO plans and submit claims for you, and our membership plan offers discounts if you don’t have insurance. Read more on our financial information page.