Dental implant treatment at Dentique Dental Care replaces a missing tooth with a titanium post and porcelain crown that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth — starting from $5,500–$6,500 all-inclusive. That price covers the implant, abutment, crown, sedation if you want it, and follow-up care. No surprise bills.
Dentique serves patients in Downers Grove and Lemont, Illinois. Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj is certified in implant placement and has restored hundreds of smiles using a process that combines surgical precision, transparent pricing, and sedation options for patients who feel anxious about dental work.
If you have a missing tooth, you already know the surface inconveniences: avoiding certain foods, feeling self-conscious when you smile, the gap that catches your tongue. What you may not know is that the deeper damage starts almost immediately — and it compounds.
Within the first few weeks after a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink. The tooth root used to stimulate that bone with every bite, and without that signal, the body resorbs the bone like unused tissue. Adjacent teeth start to drift into the gap, throwing off your bite. Opposite teeth can over-erupt because they no longer meet a chewing partner. Within a year, the visible gap is the smallest part of the problem.
The functional impact grows too. Eating becomes a calculation. You plan around the missing tooth, chewing on one side, avoiding crusty bread, skipping certain restaurants. The face structure itself can change as the jawbone recedes — patients with multiple missing teeth often look older than their age within a few years.
The good news: a dental implant placed early stops bone loss permanently, because the titanium post fulfills the same stimulation role the natural root used to.
After the implant integrates, a connector piece called an abutment is attached, and a custom porcelain crown is placed on top. The end result is a single tooth that looks, feels, and functions exactly like the original. You can chew anything. You can floss it. You can forget it is even there.
For patients who want a fully comfortable experience, Dr. Shuaipaj offers sedation dentistry for the placement procedure. A small dose of nitrous oxide or oral sedation removes the anxiety and physical tension that keep many patients from pursuing implants in the first place.
For a full breakdown of an alternative implant approach, our guide to All-on-4 dental implants covers full-arch restoration in a single visit.
Three primary tooth replacement options exist: dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Implants are the only option that preserves jawbone density, lasts a lifetime, and feels indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Here is how they compare side by side.
For most patients with a single missing tooth and adequate bone density, an implant is the most natural and durable solution. For those with multiple missing teeth, comparing options is part of every consultation at Dentique.
| Option | Feels Natural | Preserves Bone | Permanent | No Adhesives | Price Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Dental Implant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $6,000 all-in at Dentique |
| Implant-Supported Bridge | Near-natural | Partial | Yes | Yes | Varies by span |
| Traditional Bridge | No | No | 10–15 years | Yes | Lower upfront, higher lifetime |
| Partial Denture | No | No | Removable | No | Lowest upfront cost |
| Full Dentures | No | No | Removable | No | Replacement every 5–10 years |
The most common reason people delay implant treatment is not cost — it is the unknown. Knowing what happens at each visit removes the biggest source of anxiety. The full process takes 3 to 9 months from consultation to final crown.
Your first visit gathers information — medical history, 3D scan to map the jaw, and discussion of your goals. The titanium post is then placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia or sedation. The procedure typically takes one to two hours and most patients return to normal activities the next day.
This is the longest phase — and it is passive. Your body fuses the titanium post to your jawbone over 3 to 6 months. You eat normally, work, travel, and live your life. We see you for one or two short check-ins to confirm healing is on track.
Once osseointegration is confirmed, the abutment connector is attached to the post in a 30-minute procedure. The gum tissue forms naturally around the abutment over the next two weeks, ready to receive the crown.
Your custom porcelain crown — matched in shape, size, and color to your surrounding teeth — is permanently cemented onto the abutment. The fit is checked, the bite is adjusted, and the implant is complete. This single appointment is the moment most patients describe as their smile coming back.
When patients ask why they chose Dentique over larger chains or specialist offices, six themes come back consistently:
Dr. Shuaipaj holds the certifications and licensing required by the State of Illinois for implant placement, and he has performed implant procedures continuously since 2018. Every implant case is planned in advance with 3D imaging — no surprises during surgery.
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
Most adults with missing teeth qualify for implants. The most common disqualifying factors are uncontrolled diabetes, heavy active smoking, severe untreated gum disease, and bone density too low for placement. In many cases, a bone graft can address the bone-density issue and restore implant candidacy. Dr. Shuaipaj evaluates every patient individually during the consultation.
If you are exploring all your tooth replacement options, our guide to implants vs. dentures walks through the trade-offs, and the bridge vs. implant comparison covers when each option is the better fit.
A single dental implant at Dentique starts from $5,500–$6,500, all-inclusive. That covers the titanium post, abutment, porcelain crown, sedation if you choose it, and post-placement follow-up appointments. Many practices quote a low base price and add charges for each component as treatment progresses. We do not.
The sticker shock many patients experience when researching implant costs comes from comparing total prices to base prices. When the abutment, crown, sedation, follow-ups, and imaging are billed as separate line items, the total for a single implant elsewhere often exceeds $6,500 by a wide margin.
Financing and flexible payment options are available, including 0% APR through CareCredit and in-house plans. Most dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for implants — typically $1,000 to $1,500 per implant — and our team verifies your benefits before treatment so the out-of-pocket number is locked in upfront.
| Component | Dentique | Typical Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium Implant Post | Included | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Abutment Connector | Included | $500–$1,000 |
| Custom Porcelain Crown | Included | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 3D Imaging & Planning | Included | $300–$600 |
| Sedation (if chosen) | Included | $250–$500 |
| All-In Total | $5,500–$6,500 | $4,050–$7,600+ |
*The price is variable depending on the type of patient and the treatment required — it depends on a lot of factors and the figures above are for reference only.
Implant Dentist, DG & Lemont
Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj is a licensed general and implant dentist with specific training in implant placement and restoration. He holds the credentials and licensing required by the State of Illinois for surgical implant placement, and has performed hundreds of implant procedures since 2018.
What sets his approach apart is not just the surgical skill — it is the planning. Every implant case at Dentique starts with a 3D scan and detailed treatment plan reviewed with the patient before any procedure. The placement plan is mapped out in advance, surprises during surgery are eliminated, and recovery is predictable.
Dr. Shuaipaj also offers sedation dentistry for implant patients who feel anxious about the procedure. Most patients describe it as the easiest dental visit they have ever had.
To learn more about his background and training, visit Dr. Shuaipaj’s credentials.
"I love this place. Everybody is so nice. From the receptionist, to the hygienist to the dentist. Was my first time at the Lemont office. It's nice to feel at ease, like the people taking care of you actually care!!! That was as important to me, if not more, than the dental work itself. Top notch all the way around."
"Dr Xhelo, is the best and all the staff are great! Miss Patience has a lot patience. Joanna and Danna are great answering thtxte phones and costumer service. Love this dental office best Dr and I have been to a lot of dentist and had such a bad experience. I am so Glad to have found Dr Xhelo treatment with him and his assistant I had great experience."
"Great service! Very friendly and helpful staff they make you feel comfortable & at ease. Dr. Shuaipai is wonderful!"
"Came here to get implant best price stayed great staff made me feel at home."
At Dentique, a single dental implant starts from $5,500–$6,500 all-inclusive — covering the titanium post, abutment, porcelain crown, sedation if you choose it, and post-placement follow-up appointments. Most practices break these out as separate line items, so a quoted base price of $1,500 to $3,000 typically grows past $6,500 by the time the case is complete. Our pricing is locked in writing at the consultation. Financing and 0% APR plans are available. Final cost varies by patient and treatment complexity.
Most dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for implants, typically $1,000 to $1,500 per implant, depending on your plan’s annual maximum and replacement clause. Coverage varies by carrier and plan type. Our team verifies your benefits before any treatment so the out-of-pocket number is locked in upfront. Visit our insurance and finance page for details on accepted plans.
The complete dental implant process takes 3 to 9 months from consultation to final crown. The longest phase is osseointegration — your jawbone fusing to the titanium post, which takes 3 to 6 months and is passive. Most patients spend only 3 to 4 visits in the chair across the entire timeline: consultation, placement, abutment placement, and final crown.
Active gum disease, severe bone loss, uncontrolled diabetes, and heavy active smoking are the most common disqualifying factors. In many cases, a bone graft can address insufficient bone density and restore implant candidacy. Patients on certain bisphosphonate medications also need additional evaluation. Dr. Shuaipaj reviews medical history individually during the consultation to confirm candidacy.
The placement procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, so you should not feel pain during the surgery itself. After placement, most patients describe the discomfort as similar to a routine extraction — manageable with over-the-counter pain medication for two to three days. Patients who choose sedation dentistry typically have no memory of the procedure and report a much easier recovery.
For most patients with adequate bone density, dental implants are the superior long-term option. They preserve jawbone, last a lifetime, and feel indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dentures are removable, can shift while eating, accelerate bone loss, and typically need replacement every 5 to 10 years. Cost-wise, implants are higher upfront but lower over a lifetime. Our implants vs. dentures guide walks through the full comparison.
A single dental implant at Dentique starts from $5,500–$6,500, all-inclusive — and we confirm the price in writing at your consultation. No surprise bills, no upselling. Start with a no-obligation consultation. Dr. Shuaipaj will assess your candidacy, review your options, and answer every question you have. 4.9 stars from 222+ patients. Two locations. Sedation available.
Explore the full range of implant and tooth replacement services at Dentique:
Get the smile you deserve today!