Dental implants in Wilmington, NC
Replace missing teeth with a free implant consultation
Thrive Family Dental places and restores dental implants at one office in Wilmington, NC. Dr. Ben Friberg plans every case digitally, uses 3D-printed surgical guides when they improve accuracy, and gives you a written estimate before anything starts. Your consultation is free.
Written by Thrive Family Dental. Medically reviewed by Dr. Ben Friberg, DDS, Dentist and Owner. Last updated October 1, 2026.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces a missing tooth root and supports a crown, bridge, or full arch. Dr. Friberg places the implant in the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone to create a stable foundation that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Implants also help preserve the jawbone by replacing the stimulation once provided by the tooth root.
Is a dental implant right for you?
Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth qualify. You’re a strong candidate if you:
- Have a missing tooth, a failing tooth, or a tooth we need to extract
- Struggle with loose or uncomfortable dentures
- Have healthy gums, or gum disease we can treat first
- Have enough jawbone, or can build it with a bone graft
- Don’t smoke, or you’re willing to pause while the implant heals
Implant placement carries a small risk of infection or failure. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, and some medications can affect healing.
Dr. Friberg will review your health history and let you know whether an implant makes sense now, later, or not at all.
Dental implant options at Thrive Family Dental
Single tooth implant
One implant, one abutment, one crown. The best choice for a single missing tooth, because we don’t have to grind down the healthy teeth on either side the way a bridge requires.
Implant-supported bridge
Two or more implants hold a row of replacement teeth. This fills a gap of three or more teeth without an implant for every tooth.
Implant-supported dentures
Two to four implants snap a removable denture firmly in place. You still take it out to clean it, but it won’t slip while you eat or talk. Many patients who already wear dentures choose this upgrade.
Full-arch implants (All-on-X)
Four to six implants support a fixed set of upper or lower teeth that only a dentist removes. This replaces a whole arch with one non-removable restoration and belongs to our full-mouth reconstruction options.
Our blog compares mini implants vs. traditional implants if you’re weighing smaller-diameter options.
What a dental implant costs in Wilmington
Dental implant cost depends on how many teeth you’re replacing, any prep work needed, and the type of restoration. At your free consultation, you’ll receive a written, itemized estimate before you commit to treatment.
Three ways to make implants more affordable:
- Dental insurance. Many plans pay toward part of implant treatment, but annual maximums often run out before a case finishes. We verify your benefits first. See our insurance page.
- Thrive Health Club membership. No insurance? Members get up to 10% off treatment at our Wilmington office, including implants, plus cleanings, exams, and x-rays for one flat fee. See how the membership plan works.
- Monthly financing. Four partners (CareCredit, Cherry, Sunbit, and Proceed Finance) split treatment into monthly payments. See the terms on our payment options.
Conquer your dental fears
Feel safe and supported
We built this practice to help alleviate dental anxiety, designing every detail with your comfort in mind.
- Weighted eye masks
- Blankets
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Netflix
- Spacious rooms designed for calm
- Deep pressure therapy from our on-site Rehabilitative Facility Dog
No judgment. No pressure.
Just care rooted in love, dignity, and respect.
How the dental implant process works
Most single implants take three to six months from consultation to final crown. Here’s what happens at each step.
1. Free consultation and 3D scan
Dr. Friberg examines your mouth, takes a 3D scan of your jaw, and reviews your health history. You leave with a plan, a timeline, and a written estimate.
2. Preparation, if you need it
Some patients need an extraction, a bone graft, or gum treatment first. When bone is thin, a graft adds the support the implant needs. This step adds healing time but protects the result.
3. Implant placement
Dr. Friberg places the implant using a 3D-printed surgical guide when the case calls for one. Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable, and most single placements take under an hour. You go home the same day.
4. Healing
Most of the timeline is healing: the bone fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. Depending on the case, you may wear a temporary tooth so you’re never without a smile.
5. Final restoration
Once the implant is stable, we attach the abutment and your custom crown, bridge, or arch, made to match your other teeth in shade and shape.
Dental implants vs. bridges vs. dentures
This is the comparison we walk through at consultations.
- Dental implant: lasts 25 years or longer with care, protects the jawbone, no impact on neighboring teeth, highest upfront cost, requires surgery and healing time.
- Dental bridge: no surgery, finished in a few weeks, lower upfront cost, but it relies on the teeth beside the gap and usually needs replacement in 10 to 15 years.
- Traditional denture: lowest upfront cost and no surgery, but it can slip, it doesn’t stop bone loss, and it needs relining or replacement every 5 to 8 years.
Want the longer version? Read Dental implants vs. dentures: what’s the difference?
Recovery and aftercare after implant surgery
Most patients return to work the next day. Expect mild soreness and swelling for two to three days, which over-the-counter pain relief usually handles.
For the first week:
- Stick to soft, cool foods and skip anything crunchy or sticky
- Avoid straws, smoking, and vigorous rinsing for 48 hours
- Brush gently around the site and rinse with warm salt water after meals
- Call us at (910) 240-4797 if pain or swelling gets worse after day three
Our blog covers what you can eat after dental implant surgery day by day.
Long term, an implant needs the same care as a natural tooth: brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and cleanings and exams every six months.
800+ 5-Star ReviewsWhy Wilmington patients choose Dr. Friberg for implants
A few things make implant care different here, and none of them is a slogan.
- One office, start to finish. Dr. Friberg plans, places, and restores your implant here, so you’re not driving between a surgeon and a dentist.
- Digital planning. A 3D scan and, when it helps, a 3D-printed surgical guide let him position each implant precisely before you’re in the chair.
- Clear pricing. You get an itemized written estimate at your free consultation, not a surprise after.
- Anxiety-friendly care. Weighted eye masks, headphones with Netflix, and MEADOW, our Rehabilitative Facility Dog, in the room during placement if you want her there.
- Top-rated. 800+ five-star reviews and a 2024 Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite award.
Real implant results from our Wilmington office
Each case in this gallery is a Thrive Family Dental patient who came in with missing or failing teeth. Ask at your consultation to see cases like yours.
¿Hacen implantes dentales en español?
Sí. En Thrive Family Dental evaluamos tu caso en español. Llama al (910) 240-4797: te explicamos las opciones de implantes y te damos un presupuesto por escrito antes de empezar. La consulta es gratis.
See what everyone’s smiling about
900+ 5-star reviews
“They completed my implant, and I’m very happy with Thrive Dental!”
– Devin Whitaker
“I’m 72 years old and have seen many dentists, but none compare to Dr. Friberg and the team at Thrive Family Dental. Everyone is caring and efficient, and Dr. Friberg listens closely and does beautiful work. I’m very grateful for the care I’ve received and highly recommend them.”
– Pam Rella
“Dr. Friberg and his team were wonderful. I was very nervous about having my tooth pulled, but they made me feel completely comfortable. I had no pain during the procedure and very little the next day.”
– Mark Stanley
Dental implant FAQs
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants placed at Thrive Family Dental can last 25 years or longer with good hygiene and regular checkups. The crown on top typically lasts 10 to 15 years before it needs replacement from normal wear.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
Placement happens under local anesthesia, so you feel pressure but not pain. Most patients describe recovery as milder than a tooth extraction, with soreness that fades within three days.
How much does a dental implant cost at Thrive Family Dental?
The biggest variables are whether you need an extraction or bone graft first and what goes on top: a crown, a bridge, a snap-in denture, or a fixed arch. We give every patient a written, itemized estimate at the free consultation, and Thrive Health Club members save up to 10%. Monthly financing runs through four partners; see our payment options.
Does dental insurance cover implants?
Some plans cover part of the implant, crown, or extraction, usually up to the plan’s annual maximum. We verify your benefits before treatment and show you what your plan pays in writing. Check your coverage here.
Will I need a bone graft?
You may, if your jawbone has shrunk or is too thin to hold an implant. A graft rebuilds that support. Dr. Friberg sees this on your 3D scan at the consultation and tells you before you decide.
How many teeth can implants replace?
Anywhere from one tooth to a full upper and lower arch. A single implant replaces one tooth, an implant bridge replaces several, and four to six implants support a complete arch.
How long does the whole process take?
Three to six months for most single implants. Cases that need an extraction or bone graft first can take closer to nine months. Full-arch cases often receive a temporary set of teeth on placement day.
Can I get an implant the same day as an extraction?
Sometimes. When the socket is healthy and there’s enough bone, Dr. Friberg can place the implant immediately after removing the tooth. He’ll confirm whether you qualify on your scan.
What if I'm anxious about surgery?
Tell us. Our office exists for patients who dread the dentist, with comfort options at every visit and MEADOW, our facility dog, trained in deep-pressure therapy. Read what to expect at an anxiety-friendly dentist.
¿Ofrecen implantes dentales en español?
Sí. Llame al (910) 240-4797. Nuestro equipo le explica el tratamiento, los costos y las opciones de pago en español.
You matter.
Excellence matters.
Stress-free dental care doesn’t happen by accident. Your experience is built on expertise, precision, and a commitment to getting every detail right. With advanced technology, skilled hands, and a team that never cuts corners, we make every visit worth your time.
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Wilmington dentist.
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See your scan and your estimate before you decide
Your free consultation shows you whether you’re a candidate, what your 3D scan reveals, and what the treatment costs, in writing.
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Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Your smile is safe here. Thrive Family Dental is a calm space with kind people. No rush and no pressure. Enjoy complimentary comfort add-ons proven to reduce fear and put you at ease.
Se habla Español. ¿Prefieres español? Llámanos al (910) 240-4797 y con gusto te atendemos.
8115 Market St.
Suite 204
Wilmington, NC 28411
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Friday: By Appointment
