Dental Implants in Owasso, OK
A Permanent Solution for Missing Teeth at Lexington Dental of Owasso
Living with missing teeth affects more than your smile. It changes the way you eat, speak, and carry yourself through daily life. The good news: dental implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution that works the way your original teeth did.
At Lexington Dental of Owasso, Dr. Jacob Cary provides comprehensive dental implant treatment for patients throughout Owasso, Claremore, Collinsville, and Tulsa who are ready to stop working around gaps and start living with a complete smile.
If you’re ready to explore your options, contact our Owasso dental office today at (918) 274-8500 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cary.
Dr. Cary and the Lexington Dental Approach
Dr. Jacob Cary earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry, one of the most highly regarded dental programs in the country, before returning to northeast Oklahoma to build a practice rooted in trust and personal connection. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, patients aren’t managed through a revolving door. Dr. Cary takes the time to walk through every step of the treatment process, answer questions in plain language, and involve you in decisions about your care.
His approach to implant dentistry combines advanced imaging technology, including our in-office cone beam 3D scanner, with a patient-centered philosophy that prioritizes your comfort and confidence at every stage. Owasso is a growing, family-oriented community, and Dr. Cary is proud to serve the area and the patients who travel from Claremore, Collinsville, and Tulsa to call Lexington Dental home.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots, providing a stable, permanent foundation for replacement teeth such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Unlike traditional tooth replacement options, implants integrate directly with the bone through a process called osseointegration, which means they function, look, and feel like natural teeth. Each implant consists of three components: the titanium implant body anchored in the jaw, the abutment that connects the implant to the restoration, and the visible prosthetic tooth on top.
Why Choose Dental Implants Over Other Options?
Plenty of patients come to us after years of living with dentures or bridges that never quite felt right. Implants are different because they address the root of the problem, literally. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink due to a lack of stimulation. Bridges and removable dentures sit on top of the gum, doing nothing to stop that process. Implants replace the root itself, keeping the bone active and preserving the structure of your face over time.
The benefits of dental implants extend well beyond appearance:
Natural Look and Feel
Custom-crafted crowns are matched to the shape, size, and shade of your existing teeth for a seamless result.
Bone Preservation
The titanium post stimulates the jawbone just like a natural root, preventing the bone loss that follows tooth extraction.
Durability
With proper care, implants can last 20 years to a lifetime. They’re one of the few dental restorations built to last.
No Dietary Restrictions
Bite into an apple. Order the steak. Implants restore full chewing power without the slipping or discomfort of removable appliances.
Easy Maintenance
Brush and floss as normal. No adhesives, no soaking, no special cleaning routines.
Protects Neighboring Teeth
A dental bridge requires grinding down the adjacent healthy teeth for support. Implants stand independently, leaving surrounding teeth completely intact.
Types of Dental Implants at Lexington Dental of Owasso
Dr. Cary offers endosteal dental implants, which are the most commonly placed and most thoroughly researched implant type available. Placed directly into the jawbone, endosteal implants provide a strong, stable anchor for a wide range of restorations. Depending on how many teeth you’re replacing, there are several implant-based treatment options available:
Single-Tooth Dental Implants
One implant post supports one custom dental crown. This is the most straightforward option for replacing an individual missing tooth without touching the teeth on either side.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Two or more implant posts anchor a multi-tooth bridge, replacing several consecutive missing teeth without relying on natural teeth for support. This approach provides greater stability than a traditional bridge while preserving the surrounding tooth structure.
Implant-Supported Dentures
For patients missing most or all teeth in an arch, implant-supported dentures provide the security of fixed implants with the coverage of full dentures. They eliminate the need for adhesive and dramatically improve stability compared to traditional removable dentures.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
Using only four strategically placed implants, an entire arch of prosthetic teeth can be supported. All-on-4 is often completed in a single day and is particularly well-suited for patients with some degree of bone loss who want to avoid bone grafting.
The Dental Implant Process: What to Expect
Most patients move through the following stages from consultation to final restoration:
- Initial Consultation: Dr. Cary evaluates your oral health using digital X-rays and cone beam 3D imaging, assesses bone density, and develops a treatment plan based on your specific anatomy and goals.
- Preparatory Procedures (if needed): If a tooth still needs to be removed or if bone grafting is required to build up insufficient bone volume, those steps are completed first. Not every patient needs this stage.
- Implant Placement: Under local anesthesia or IV sedation (available at our office), the titanium post is placed into the jawbone. Most placements take one to two hours per implant.
- Osseointegration: Over the next two to six months, the implant fuses with the surrounding bone. Temporary teeth can be worn during this phase.
- Abutment and Crown Placement: Once the implant has fully integrated, the abutment is attached, and your permanent custom restoration is fitted.
- Follow-Up Care: Dr. Cary monitors the implant at regular checkups to confirm everything is healing properly and functioning well.
The total timeline from placement to final crown runs approximately three to nine months, depending on healing time and whether preparatory procedures are needed.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth are potential candidates. Good candidates generally share the following characteristics:
- One or more missing or severely damaged teeth
- Adequate jawbone density to support the implant post
- Healthy gums with no active periodontal disease
- Good overall health and no uncontrolled systemic conditions
- A commitment to regular dental checkups, daily oral hygiene, and consistent implant care
Some patients need additional evaluation before proceeding. Smokers face a higher risk of dental implant failure due to reduced blood flow and slower healing. Patients with bone loss may need grafting before implant placement. Conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders don’t automatically disqualify you, but they do require careful management before surgery. Implants are not placed in patients under 18 whose jaws are still developing.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost of dental implants varies based on the number of implants placed, the type of restoration attached, and whether preparatory procedures like extractions or bone grafting are required. A single implant with a crown typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 when factoring in all three components. Full-arch restorations such as All-on-4 range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch.
Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for implants, particularly when tooth loss is the result of injury or disease. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, we also work with CareCredit and offer flexible financing options to help patients manage the cost of treatment over time. Our team will review your coverage and payment options during your consultation, so there are no surprises.
Don’t let cost uncertainty keep you from asking the question. Call our Owasso office at (918) 274-8500, and we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the initial consultation through final restoration, most patients complete the dental implant process in three to nine months. The widest variable is the osseointegration phase, during which the implant fuses with the jawbone. This typically takes two to six months. If you require bone grafting before placement, that adds time to the overall timeline, usually a few months for the graft to heal before the implant can be placed.
Dental implants are built to be permanent. With proper at-home care and regular dental visits, implants routinely last 20 years and often a lifetime. The crown on top of the implant may need replacement after 10 to 15 years due to normal wear, but the implant post itself is highly durable. Patients who maintain good oral hygiene and avoid habits like smoking or grinding their teeth without a nightguard see the best long-term outcomes.
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during placement. IV sedation is also available at Lexington Dental of Owasso for patients who prefer a deeper level of relaxation. After the anesthesia wears off, some soreness, swelling, and mild discomfort are normal for a few days. Most patients manage this comfortably with over-the-counter pain relievers. The recovery from implant placement is typically far more manageable than patients expect going in.
Leaving a gap untreated sets off a chain reaction. The jawbone beneath the missing tooth begins to resorb within months because it’s no longer receiving stimulation from a tooth root. This can cause neighboring teeth to shift into the space, altering your bite and potentially leading to further tooth loss. Over time, significant bone loss can change the shape of your face, creating a sunken appearance around the jaw and cheeks.
Age is not a disqualifying factor for dental implants. Older adults successfully receive implants every day, and many find them to be life-changing for their confidence and quality of life. What matters most is overall health and bone density, not age. As long as a patient’s jaw has adequate bone volume and any underlying health conditions are well-managed, older adults are frequently excellent candidates.
Ready to Get Started? Contact Lexington Dental of Owasso
Dental implants are one of the most significant investments you can make in your health and quality of life. A complete smile means eating comfortably, speaking clearly, and going through your day without thinking twice about a gap in your teeth. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, Dr. Jacob Cary and our team are ready to help you get there.
We welcome patients from throughout the area, including Claremore, Collinsville, and Tulsa. Call (918) 274-8500 today or book online to schedule your dental implant consultation in Owasso.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Jacob Cary, DDS
