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You Deserve to Love the Way Your Smile Feels and Looks
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant bonds with your bone, a natural process called osseointegration, it becomes a permanent anchor for a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture.
Implants are rooted in your jaw. This means they won’t slip, click, or shift when you eat or speak.
The 3 Components of a Dental Implant
The Implant Post: A small titanium screw that is placed into your jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root.
The Abutment: A connector piece that attaches to the top of the implant post.
The Crown: The visible part of the implant, a custom-made porcelain tooth designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
When all three components are in place, a dental implant looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. Most patients say they forget which tooth is the implant.
Types of Dental Implants We Offer
Missing One Tooth?
Single Tooth Implant
If you’re missing a single tooth, a single dental implant is the gold standard for replacement.
One titanium implant post is placed in your jawbone, topped with a custom porcelain crown that blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.
Best for: Patients missing one tooth due to injury, decay, or extraction.
$3,500
Missing Several Teeth?
Implant supported bridge
If you’re missing two or more teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge may be your best option.
Instead of placing an individual implant, we use two implants to anchor a bridge that spans the gap, replacing multiple teeth at once.
Best for: Patients missing 2-4 adjacent teeth who want a permanent solution.
Varies by case
Missing all teeth?
All-on-4
Full Arch Implants
If you’re missing all or most of your teeth or wearing dentures that slip and cause discomfort the All-on-4® full arch solution can give you a complete set of permanent teeth in as little as one day.
Best for: Patients missing all teeth on the upper arch, lower arch, or both.
$14,999
The Dental Implant process:
What to expect
Getting a dental implant is a well-established, predictable procedure. Here’s what your journey looks like from the first visit to your final smile:
1
Consultation
Exam + 3D imaging + custom plan
2
Treatment Plan
Review options, timeline, cost
3
Implant Surgery
Precise placement with surgical guide
4
Healing
Osseointegration (3-6 months)
5
Final Restoration
Permanent crown placed
Why Choose Dr. Vela for your Dental Implants?
• 18+ years of experience in implant dentistry
• Hundreds of successful implant procedures
• Advanced 3D imaging and surgical guide technology
• Full in-house procedure (no referrals)
• Serving Corpus Christi and South Texas since 2006
Choosing the right dentist for your implants is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Dental implant surgery requires precision, experience, and advanced technology and not every dentist offers all three.
Real Transformations. Real Smiles.
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
Nothing speaks louder than results. Here are real before-and-after photos from dental implant patients treated by Dr. Vela at our Corpus Christi office.
Janelle came to us looking for a permanent solution after years of struggling with missing teeth. Today, she smiles with complete confidence. Hear her story in her own words.
Insurance and Financial option
Dental implants are an investment in your health, confidence, and quality of life and we want to make sure that investment is accessible to you.
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans. Our team will verify your benefits and help you maximize your insurance coverage before treatment begins.
Insurance plans we accept:
Aetna
MetLife
Guardian
UnitedHealthcare
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Humana
Coverage and benefits vary by plan. Please note: we do not accept Medicare or Medicaid plans.
Excellent Excellent Excellent. I get such anxiety going to the dentist but at Vela Dental they make you feel comfortable and alleviate that stress. Thank you Dr. Vela.
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Staycie Carrisalez
September 16, 2026
Staff is super friendly to include Dr. Vela!
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melissa zapata
September 15, 2026
Dr vela was so amazing he explained everything in detail I love it
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Steve Schnorenberg
September 12, 2026
My wife and me are very lucky to have a great dentist office we can depend and go to. Thank you Dr. Vela and staff Steve and Celia Schnorenberg
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Lucy rulan Lu
September 10, 2026
My 81-year-old mother had been dealing with recurring tooth infections for several months. Without dental insurance, we were worried about the cost of treatment, especially after being referred to a periodontist. A friend recommended Dr. Vela, and we couldn’t be more grateful. After learning about our situation, he quickly came up with a treatment plan that included extracting the problem tooth and performing a deep cleaning. He answered all my questions with confidence and professionalism, and I felt comfortable moving forward. Over the next few visits, my mother’s gum inflammation improved remarkably. Today was her fifth and final treatment, and her gums are completely healed! We were also pleasantly surprised by the reasonable cost. Thank you so much to this wonderful dental office for your kindness, expertise, and care. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a dentist!
Dental Implants FAQ - Corpus Christi
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. The implant screw itself can last a lifetime, while the crown attached to it may need replacement after 10 to 15 years due to normal wear and tear.
Are dental implants painful?
Most patients report that the procedure is less painful than expected, often comparing it to a tooth extraction. We use local anesthesia during the surgery to ensure you are comfortable. Post-operative discomfort is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
How much do dental implants cost in Corpus Christi?
The cost varies depending on your specific needs. Based on our current pricing structure:
Single Implant Crown: Starting at just $3,500.
4 Implant Overdenture: Starting at just $8,999.
Full Arch (Teeth in a Day): Starting at just $14,999 (Includes permanent Zirconia teeth).
*Please note that additional surgery charges may apply depending on bone density and other factors.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most adults with good general health are candidates for implants. Key requirements include having healthy gums and enough bone density in the jaw to hold the implant. A consultation with 3D imaging is the best way to determine your eligibility.
What is the difference between dentures and implants?
The main difference is stability and bone preservation. Dentures sit on top of the gums and can slip, whereas implants are surgically anchored into the jawbone, acting like natural tooth roots. This prevents bone loss and allows you to eat and speak without worrying about movement.
Is All-on-4 permanent?
Yes, the "Full Arch" or All-on-4 style procedure provides a fixed, permanent set of teeth. They are securely screwed into the implants and can only be removed by a dentist. They function and feel just like natural teeth.
Do implants require special care?
Dental implants require the same care as real teeth: brushing twice a day, flossing daily (or using a water flosser), and regular dental check-ups. Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent infection around the implant.