Dental Implants in Gainesville, VA
Dental implants at Lunar Dental are placed and restored under one roof — Dr. Zan performs the surgical placement and the final crown, both in our Gainesville practice. We use 3D CBCT imaging (Vatech Green CT2) for guided placement and a digital workflow for the final restoration. A single implant typically ranges $3,500–$5,500 all-in (placement + abutment + crown). Most cases finish 3–6 months from extraction to final tooth.
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Invisalign Certified · Implant Provider · Oral Conscious Sedation · Dental Sleep Medicine · Owner, Lunar Dental
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Who it's for
Adults missing one or more teeth — from a single missing molar to a full-arch replacement consultation. Patients tired of a removable partial or denture that won't stay put. People who lost a tooth years ago and have been told they'll need a bone graft before an implant — we do those here too. We also see patients who started an implant case at another practice and need it finished or revised.
What it costs
A single-tooth implant at Lunar Dental typically ranges $3,500–$5,500 all-in: surgical placement (~$2,000), the abutment that connects implant to crown (~$600), and the porcelain crown (~$1,500). Bone grafting, if needed, adds $400–$1,200 depending on the volume. Multiple-implant cases and full-arch work (All-on-4-style) are quoted after a 3D scan and consultation. Most dental insurance covers a portion of the restorative crown but not the surgical placement; we file both medical and dental claims when applicable. Cardinal Care coverage for implants is limited — we'll confirm what's covered before any treatment.
How it works
The dental implants process at Lunar Dental.
- 1
3D consultation (45–60 min)
CBCT scan shows bone volume, nerve location, and sinus position in 3D. We design the implant placement on the scan before anything else — you see exactly where the implant will go and why.
- 2
Tooth extraction (if needed)
If the failing tooth is still in place, we extract it carefully (sometimes preserving the socket with bone graft material to keep the site implant-ready). Many patients are eligible for "immediate placement" — implant the same visit as extraction.
- 3
Healing (typically 3–4 months)
Bone grows into the implant's textured surface. You wear a temporary tooth in the meantime if it's a front tooth or anywhere visible. Back-tooth cases sometimes skip the temporary.
- 4
Abutment + scan (30 min)
Once healed, we attach the abutment (the connector piece) and take an iTero Lumina scan. Either we mill the final crown chairside the same visit (fastmill.io) or send the scan to a lab for a 2-visit finish.
- 5
Final crown delivery + bite check
Crown seats onto the abutment, we adjust the bite, polish, and you walk out with a tooth that functions like it's yours. Follow-up at 6 weeks, then routine maintenance at your normal cleaning visits.
Why it's different here
What Lunar Dental does that others don't.
The biggest practical difference here is that placement and restoration happen with the same dentist. At most general practices, the oral surgeon places the implant and the general dentist makes the crown — that's two practices, two co-pays, two waits, two relationships, and a coordination gap where things sometimes go wrong. Dr. Zan does both, on the same CBCT plan, in the same chair. Our digital workflow (iTero scan, fastmill.io chairside mill) also lets us deliver many same-day final crowns once the implant has healed — no temporary-crown month.
When this isn't the right answer
Implants aren't always the right answer. If the adjacent teeth need crowns anyway, a traditional bridge may cost less for the same outcome. If you have multiple missing teeth and bone loss, a removable overdenture stabilized by 2–4 implants may give a better result than 6 individual implants. We tell you when the simpler option is the better option.
Common questions
About dental implants.
How long does a dental implant take from start to finish?
Typical timeline is 3–6 months from extraction to final crown, depending on bone quality and whether grafting is needed. Some patients are eligible for "immediate placement" (extract and implant the same day), which shortens the back end of the timeline.
Is implant surgery painful?
Most patients describe it as easier than the extraction it replaced. We use local anesthetic standard; oral conscious sedation is available if you'd prefer to sleep through it. Post-op, most patients take 1–2 days of ibuprofen and return to normal activity.
Do you take Cardinal Care for implants?
Cardinal Care has limited coverage for adult implants. We confirm exact coverage before any treatment and give you a written estimate of any out-of-pocket cost. We never start work without you knowing the number.
What if I don't have enough bone for an implant?
We do bone grafting here. For minor volume loss, the graft goes in at the same visit as the implant. For larger losses, we graft first, wait 4–6 months, then place. Sinus lifts for upper-back implants are also done in-office.
How long do implants last?
Implants themselves often last 20+ years — the longest-running implants in the literature are 40+ years old. The crown on top wears like a normal crown (10–15 years typical) and can be replaced without disturbing the implant.
Can you do All-on-4 or full-arch implants?
Yes — we offer full-arch implant consultations and care-planning. Some cases are completed in-house; very complex cases requiring multiple specialists are co-treated with an oral surgeon we work with.
What if my implant was placed at another practice and something went wrong?
We see implant revision cases regularly — failed osseointegration, peri-implantitis, ill-fitting crowns from another practice. CBCT scan first, honest assessment, written plan. Some are fixable; some require removal and replacement. We'll tell you which.
Can I have sedation for implant surgery?
Yes. Oral conscious sedation is available for implant placement — a pill before your visit plus local anesthetic. You're awake but deeply relaxed, and remember little of the visit. Bring a driver.
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