For most patients, the answer is yes. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that deals with what happens below the gumline, not just the visible gap above it. Patients who sit down for an implant consultation at Westpark Village Dental Care, a reliable dental clinic in Plano, tend to leave with the same reaction: they wish they had come in sooner.
Still, “worth it” needs more than a confident answer. The cost is real, the process takes months, and it involves surgery. This article lays out those tradeoffs plainly, the way Dr. Hardin does in a consultation, so the decision can be made with the full picture in view.
Why a Missing Tooth Creates Bigger Problems Over Time
Most of the concern around a missing tooth lands on the visible gap. The real problem sits below the gumline. Bone in the jaw depends on stimulation from a tooth root to hold its density and shape, and once that root is gone, the bone in that spot starts to shrink. Over months and years, the loss adds up: neighboring teeth drift, and the structure of the face changes in ways that get harder to correct the longer they go unaddressed; one of several ways tooth loss affects your face beyond the visible gap itself.
Bridges and dentures replace what is visible. Neither replaces the root, so neither stops the bone loss happening underneath. A dental implant does both: the titanium post takes over the root’s job, giving the bone the stimulation it needs to stay intact. Patients who move on an implant soon after losing a tooth tend to preserve more bone and face a simpler, more predictable procedure than those who wait years to act.
How Dental Implants Compare to Bridges and Dentures
Patients considering tooth replacement typically hear about the same three options: implants, bridges, and dentures. The differences matter beyond the visible gap, since the choice also affects how the surrounding teeth and bone hold up over the years that follow.
| Feature | Dental Implant | Dental Bridge | Denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replaces the tooth root | Yes | No | No |
| Adjacent teeth altered | Not needed | Two healthy teeth reshaped for support | Not needed |
| Jawbone under the gap | Preserved through stimulation | Continues to shrink | Continues to shrink |
| Stability | Fixed, does not move | Fixed to adjacent teeth | Removable, can shift when eating or speaking |
That structural difference, a post that keeps the bone engaged instead of leaving nothing underneath, is what separates an implant from the other two options over the long run.
Ready to see if a dental implant is right for you? Call West Park Village Dental Care at (972) 964-8989 to schedule your consultation in Plano today.
What the Implant Process Looks Like
An implant is placed in stages over several months, and that timeline is biology, not a padded treatment plan. The bone needs time to fuse with the titanium post before the final restoration goes on, which is why understanding dental implants from start to finish helps set realistic expectations for the process.
- Consultation and imaging. A CT/Cone Beam Scanner captures a three-dimensional picture of the jaw, including bone depth, density, and the position of nerves and the sinus floor- details a flat X-ray can’t provide and what makes precise surgical planning possible.
- Surgical placement. The titanium post goes in under local anesthesia. There is pressure and some sensation, but the area stays numb throughout the appointment.
- Osseointegration. Over roughly three to six months, the bone fuses with the post. This healing step is what gives implants a success rate of better than 95%.
- Final restoration. A Medit i700 digital scan replaces messy impression trays, and the crown is fabricated to match the surrounding teeth in size, color, and shape. Once it’s placed, the implant is cared for like a natural tooth.
Who Places Implants at Our Practice
Not every dentist who offers dental implants has post-doctoral training in the procedure. Some refer the surgical portion to an oral surgeon and handle only the restoration. Others place implants based on general dentistry training alone, without fellowship-level credentialing in the surgical side of the work.
Dr. Jordan Hardin earned his DDS from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and holds a post-doctoral fellowship in surgical implant placement through Implant Pathway’s Dental Implant Continuum, a structured credentialing program built specifically for the surgical and clinical side of implant work. It is not a weekend certificate or a general dentistry add-on.
Dr. Hardin manages every stage of implant treatment at this practice, from imaging through surgical placement to the final crown, with no referrals to an outside oral surgeon for standard cases.
The doctor who planned the case is the one who sees it through.
Cost and Financing Options at Our Practice
Implant cost depends on the case. The number of implants needed, the condition of the bone, and whether any preparatory procedures like bone grafts are required all shape the final number. All of that gets reviewed at the consultation, with a clear estimate before anything is scheduled, since dental implant costs and procedures can vary significantly from one case to the next.
Patients with insurance: we file with most PPO and DPO plans on your behalf. Patients paying out of pocket, or covering the portion insurance does not: CareCredit and Cherry both offer payment plans that spread the cost over time, and we also offer interest-free in-house financing across several term lengths. Patients without insurance can enroll in our in-house membership plan for $40 a month, which includes two cleanings, two exams, and two sets of X-rays a year, plus 15% off other treatment. Every option gets reviewed at the consultation, so the total cost is never a surprise.
What Patients at Our Practice Tell Us
As of August 2026, this practice holds 435 Google reviews at a 4.9-star average, and 92% of reviewers on Facebook recommend the practice. The patterns in that feedback are consistent: clear communication before any procedure, a team that remembers names and history from one visit to the next, and a doctor who does not push a decision before a patient is ready.
Patients who come in with implant questions specifically often say the consultation is what resolved concerns they had been sitting with for a while, whether that was about candidacy, the surgical step, or how to cover the cost. Getting to that clarity is the point of the consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Does Westpark Village Dental Care place dental implants?
Yes. Dr. Hardin places dental implants in-house, from consultation through the final crown. He holds a fellowship credential in implant dentistry through Implant Pathway's Dental Implant Continuum. Standard implant cases do not require a referral to an outside oral surgeon.
What technology is used for dental implant placement?
A CT/Cone Beam Scanner provides 3D imaging before surgery, letting Dr. Hardin assess bone volume, map nerve position, and plan each implant's placement precisely. A Medit i700 digital scanner is used afterward for crown and restoration planning, replacing traditional impression trays.
What tooth replacement options does the practice offer?
Three: dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Implants are a permanent, surgically placed replacement for the tooth root. Bridges anchor to adjacent teeth to span a gap. Dentures replace a full arch or several teeth and can be removable or implant-supported. Dr. Hardin reviews which option fits at the consultation.
What financing options are available for dental implant treatment?
CareCredit and Cherry both offer flexible payment plans, and an interest-free in-house plan is available across several term lengths. Financing applies to any treatment, including implants, veneers, full mouth reconstruction, and clear aligners.
Contact Us
We’re here to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Whether you’re scheduling your first visit or have questions about our services, our friendly team is here to assist you.
Our Office: 1820 Coit Rd, Suite 145, Plano, TX 75075
Call Us: (972) 964-8989
Email Us: westparkvstaff@gmail.com
Office Hours:
- Monday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm (2nd and 4th Saturday of the month)
- Sunday: Closed
Ready to see if a dental implant is right for you? Call West Park Village Dental Care at (972) 964-8989 to schedule your consultation in Plano today.
