Written by Dr. Shaila Kabani, DDS
Losing a tooth changes more than your smile. Chewing gets harder, some words come out differently, and the bone under the missing tooth slowly shrinks. If you live or work in East Cobb and are comparing ways to replace a tooth, a dental implant is worth understanding in detail, because it works differently from a bridge or a denture.
Dr. Shaila Kabani has more than 20 years of experience, implant certifications from Nobel, Zimmer, and Straumann, and advanced training from the Pankey Institute. Our Marietta office keeps your records and your plan in one place from imaging through the final crown, so you are not starting over at each step.
How a Dental Implant Works
An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over a few months the bone grows around the post, and a custom crown is then attached on top. Because the post is anchored in bone, an implant does not slide like a denture, and it does not rely on grinding down the neighboring teeth the way a traditional bridge does.
Healing and Bone Integration
That bonding between bone and titanium is called osseointegration, and it is what lets an implant handle everyday chewing. A review indexed in PMC reports implant survival above 90 percent at ten years, though results depend on the patient’s health and aftercare.
Protecting the Jawbone
When a tooth is lost, the bone that supported it begins to shrink. An implant puts load back on that bone in a way a denture or bridge does not, which can help limit that loss over time.
Implant Options for East Cobb Patients
The right option depends on how many teeth are missing and the condition of your bone and gums. We start with an exam and imaging, then talk through what fits your goals and budget.
A single missing tooth is usually replaced with one implant and one crown, leaving neighboring teeth untouched. When many or all teeth are missing, All-on-4 uses four implants to support a full arch of teeth.
If Bone Grafting Is Part of the Plan
If bone has already been lost since an extraction, a graft may be needed to build a stable base before or during implant placement. We offer bone grafting only alongside an extraction or implant procedure, so any graft has a clear purpose in your treatment.
We assess your anatomy carefully before recommending any procedure, and we will tell you plainly if an implant is not the right fit.
Planning With 3D Imaging
Placement accuracy affects your bite, your comfort, and how long an implant lasts. Our 3D CBCT scans show the jawbone, nerves, and surrounding structures in three dimensions, so the angle, depth, and position of each post can be planned before surgery.
For qualifying patients we also offer computer-guided implant surgery, which carries that plan into the procedure.
What to Expect
Treatment happens in stages, and timing varies with bone health, the number of implants, and whether grafting is needed. A typical path looks like this:
- Consultation and imaging: We review your health history, examine the area, and take a CBCT scan to plan the treatment.
- Implant placement: The post is placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia.
- Healing: Over several months the bone bonds with the post.
- Final crown: A custom crown is attached once healing is complete.
We pace each stage around healing rather than the calendar. Our treatment rooms have TVs with Netflix and noise-canceling headphones, which many patients appreciate during longer visits.
Implants With Kabani Dental
We work with Cigna, MetLife, Delta Dental, United Concordia, UHC, Humana, Aetna, and Principal, and we accept HSA and FSA payments. Patients without insurance can ask about our in-house membership plan, and CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread the cost of implant treatment. We will review costs with you before any treatment is scheduled.
If you are thinking about replacing a tooth, contact our office or call (770) 980-0432 to schedule a consultation. We will look at your situation, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether an implant makes sense.