Dental Implants · Tamarac, FL
A missing tooth can quietly change everything.
The chewing you've stopped doing on one side. The photo you wouldn't take. The bite that feels different than it used to. One missing tooth is rarely just one missing tooth.
22 years in Tamarac · Boston University trained · Cosmetic, restorative & full mouth rehabilitation
What patients tell me
Some things you might recognize.
Common concerns I hear from patients with a missing tooth — and what's quietly happening behind each one.
"I've been chewing on one side for so long, I forgot I was doing it."
Chewing on one side puts extra force on those teeth, wears them faster, and can change how the jaw muscles work on the side you've stopped using.
"I stopped smiling fully in photos."
When a gap shows in the smile zone, patients quietly change how they show up — at work, at events, in front of a camera. The confidence loss often outweighs the dental loss.
"The teeth next to it look different now."
Teeth on either side of a missing tooth tend to tilt or drift into the empty space. The tooth above or below can over-erupt. Over time, the bite changes.
"I avoid food I used to love."
Corn on the cob, steak, crunchy apples — patients with a missing tooth often stop eating things they used to enjoy without fully realizing the change happened.
A patient story
An implant and smile makeover journey to health.
One patient. Four chapters of treatment, documented.
Before
The starting point.
The patient presented with full-coverage gold crowns across the upper and lower front teeth. Evaluation began with removing the existing restorations to assess the condition of the underlying tooth structure.
Underneath
Beneath the restorations.
Once the gold crowns were removed, the teeth were found to have extensive decay and significant structural loss. Several teeth could not be restored and required extraction.
Rebuilding
Implants and preparations.
Dental implants were placed in the positions of the extracted teeth to serve as the new roots. The remaining sound teeth were prepared as crown abutments. The image shows the implant abutments and prepared teeth, ready for the final restorations on the upper and finished porcelain crowns on the lower.
After
The completed restoration.
Custom porcelain crowns were placed across the upper arch, supported by the implants and prepared teeth. Function, bite, and appearance were restored.
Beautiful dentistry sometimes begins with honest dentistry.
How implants work
What an implant actually does.
A dental implant doesn't just fill a gap — it replaces the structural role of a missing tooth root. Here's what that means in practice.
It replaces the root — and signals the bone to stay.
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Because titanium fuses with the surrounding bone — a process called osseointegration — the implant behaves like a root. It sends the same kind of stimulation that keeps the jawbone full and strong. This is one of the most important differences between an implant and a bridge or partial denture.
It supports a crown that looks and functions like a tooth.
Once the implant has healed and integrated with the bone, a custom porcelain crown is connected to it. The crown is shaped, shaded, and contoured to match the surrounding teeth. You can bite, chew, brush, and floss as you would with a natural tooth.
It protects the teeth around it.
Because the implant fills the space, the teeth on either side don't drift. The opposing tooth doesn't over-erupt. The bite stays where it should. An implant works quietly — but it also keeps the rest of the mouth from compensating in ways that compound over time.
What changes
Life with the tooth restored.
When the missing tooth is replaced, the small things start coming back. Quietly, at first. Then completely.
You chew on both sides again.
Even pressure across the bite returns. The jaw muscles on the side you stopped using come back online.
You smile fully in photos.
No more closed-mouth grins or hiding behind a hand. The smile that shows up is the one you mean.
The neighboring teeth stay where they are.
Because the gap is filled, the teeth on either side don't drift, and the opposing tooth doesn't over-erupt. The bite holds.
Food you used to avoid is back on the table.
Steak, apples, crusty bread, corn on the cob. The foods you quietly stopped eating come back to the menu.
An honest word
"Not every missing tooth needs an implant. The right answer depends on the bone, the teeth around the gap, your health, and your timeline — and a consultation tells us which path actually fits."
— Dr. Rajvinder Dulay
In some cases, a bridge or partial denture is the better choice. In others, the timing isn't right and we plan around it. The goal is the same either way: a recommendation that serves your mouth, not the schedule.
Other options
When something else might fit.
Implants are one option among several. Each has trade-offs worth understanding.
Dental bridge
Replaces a missing tooth by anchoring a false tooth to the teeth on either side. Often a good fit when those neighboring teeth already need crowns. A bridge doesn't preserve the bone underneath the gap the way an implant does.
Partial denture
A removable appliance that fills the gap. Lower cost and faster to deliver than implants. Less stable in daily use, may require periodic adjustment, and like a bridge, doesn't preserve bone in the area.
Leaving the gap
Sometimes appropriate — usually a back tooth with no functional or aesthetic concern. Worth understanding what comes with the choice: bone change, drift of neighboring teeth, possible bite shift over time.
The process
What treatment looks like.
Every case is different. Most implant journeys move through the same five stages.
Consultation and imaging.
An exam, x-rays, and often a 3D CBCT scan to evaluate the bone, the surrounding teeth, and the path forward. We discuss whether an implant is the right choice for you and what the plan would look like.
Preparation.
If a tooth needs to be removed or a bone graft is needed first, that comes before the implant. Sometimes the implant can be placed at the same visit; sometimes the area needs to heal for a few months.
Implant placement.
The titanium post is placed in the jawbone. This is typically a single-visit procedure done with local anesthesia.
Healing and integration.
Over the next three to six months, the implant fuses with the bone (osseointegration). You go about your life during this time. We see you periodically to check on healing.
The final restoration.
Once the implant is fully integrated, the custom porcelain crown is connected. The tooth is complete and you can use it like any other.
Investing in your smile
What it costs (and how to pay.)
Dental implants are a long-term investment. Here's how we make the financial side workable.
Insurance
We'll check your benefits.
We're happy to verify your insurance coverage for you, explain what's covered for implant treatment, and walk through your out-of-pocket cost — all before any work begins.
Financing
CareCredit, Sunbit & Cherry.
0% interest financing options for qualified patients. Apply from your phone before you come in, and we'll walk you through which option fits your situation.
Cards & staging
Flexibility built in.
All major cards accepted. We can also break treatment into stages so the investment spreads over time — and so you see progress as you go.
Common questions
Frequently asked.
Do dental implants look natural?
When properly planned and restored, yes. The crown placed on top of an implant is custom-made to match the shape, shade, and contour of the teeth around it. In most cases, people can't tell which tooth is the implant.
How long does dental implant treatment take?
From start to finish, a typical single implant case takes four to nine months. Most of that time is the implant healing and fusing with the bone (about three to six months). Cases that involve extractions or bone grafting can take longer.
Can a dental implant replace more than one tooth?
Yes. Implants can replace a single missing tooth or several teeth in a row using implant-supported crowns or bridges. The right number of implants depends on the situation, the bone, and the long-term plan.
Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
Most adults are. The main considerations are bone volume and quality, gum health, general health (especially conditions that affect healing), and whether the timing is right. A consultation with imaging tells us what's possible.
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, implants can last decades — often a lifetime. The crown on top may need replacement after many years of wear, but the implant itself, once integrated, is designed to stay.
Are dental implants painful?
Most patients report that the placement procedure is more comfortable than they expected. It's done under local anesthesia. Some soreness in the first few days is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
How much does a dental implant cost?
Costs vary depending on the case — whether an extraction or bone graft is needed, the number of implants, and the type of restoration. We'll provide a clear written estimate after the consultation, before any treatment begins.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage varies widely. Some plans cover the crown portion, some cover a percentage of the implant itself, and some cover neither. We'll verify your benefits before treatment and explain exactly what to expect.
We're here when you're ready
Let's see if an implant is right for you.
Call to talk it through, or send a message and we'll get back to you within one business day.