Dental Implant Crowns in Arlington, VA

A dental implant replaces a missing or broken tooth with a new tooth that looks, feels, and works like your own, without grinding down the neighboring teeth for a bridge. Dr. Philip Gentry, DDS, FAGD, a Washingtonian Magazine Top Dentist Hall of Fame honoree, designs and restores implant crowns at Caring Dentists in Arlington.

A Team Approach

As your restorative dentist, Dr. Gentry plans and designs your final tooth, and he works closely with skilled surgical specialists who place the implant. Every step is handled by the right expert, with the final result planned from the very beginning.

How It Works

Evaluation and planning: an exam and x-rays to see whether an implant is right for you.
Implant placement: the implant is placed by a surgical specialist, sometimes on the same day a damaged tooth is removed.
Healing: the implant fuses with your jawbone. For front teeth, a clear Essix retainer can hold a temporary tooth so you can smile with confidence.
Digital scan and design: Dr. Gentry scans the implant with a 3Shape TRIOS scanner and designs your crown in exocad to match your natural teeth.
Your new tooth: a custom implant crown, such as E.max fused to zirconia, made to match your natural teeth.

Dr. Gentry's Implant Cases

A Dental Implant for a Broken Front Tooth

Before and after dental implant replacing a broken upper front tooth, Arlington VA — Before and after

exocad computer design of an E.max-fused-to-zirconia implant crown for a front tooth — Computer design of the crown

Digital design checking the fit and shape of the implant crown against the neighboring teeth — Checking fit and shape

Dr. Philip Gentry with his patient after a dental implant crown replaced her broken front tooth, Arlington VA — A happy patient with her new tooth

A dental implant for a broken front tooth: a same-day extraction and implant, a temporary Essix retainer, and an E.max-fused-to-zirconia implant crown on a Ti-base, in three visits.

A Three-Tooth Implant Bridge to Complete a Full-Mouth Restoration

This patient was missing three lower right back teeth (teeth #28 through #30). Two dental implants were placed, at #28 and #30, and Dr. Gentry restored them with a three-tooth zirconia implant bridge: a tooth on each implant, with a replacement tooth in between. Dr. Gentry had already restored all of her other teeth with crowns, veneers, and implant crowns, and this bridge was the final step of her full-mouth restoration.

The bridge took just two visits. At the first, Dr. Gentry took a digital scan of the implants with his 3Shape TRIOS scanner, then designed the bridge in exocad on a virtual articulator, a computer model of her jaws, to check how it meets her other teeth. At the second visit, he placed her new zirconia bridge. It is attached to the implants with small screws, so it is secure but can be removed by a dentist if it ever needs care.

Before and after a three-tooth zirconia implant bridge replacing missing lower right back teeth, Arlington VA — Before and after

Scan bodies on two dental implants for a digital scan, and the finished implant bridge — Scanning the implants, then the final bridge

exocad computer design of a three-tooth implant bridge on a virtual articulator — Computer design of the bridge

Three-tooth zirconia implant bridge with its two implant screws before placement — The bridge and its screws

X-rays of two dental implants before and after the implant bridge was placed — X-rays: before and after

Panoramic x-ray of a full-mouth restoration with dental implants and crowns, before the final implant bridge — Her restored teeth, before the final bridge

Dr. Philip Gentry and his dental assistant with a happy patient after her implant bridge, Arlington VA — Her new smile, finished!

What Our Patients Say

"I consider myself very lucky to have found such an outstanding dental professional. Over the years he has done some truly amazing work for both my husband and me. He filled, he fixed, he patched, repaired and replaced, while employing the latest innovations in dentistry. All this with a cheerful, kind attitude that would put the most anxious person at ease. Not just best in his field, but BEST ALL AROUND! You can not imagine just how wonderful my new teeth feel! The fit is simply perfect!! My whole outlook has changed and I feel like a new person. Thank you, thank you! I could not be happier!!! We have the highest regard for Dr. Philip Gentry and recommend him without reservation."
Ildiko Y., Bethesda, MD

Every case photo on our website and blog shows Dr. Gentry's own patient, treated and photographed by Dr. Gentry. We never use stock photos of dental work.

Smiling While You Heal

For a front tooth, a clear Essix retainer with a temporary tooth lets you smile while your implant heals. This photo, from another patient, was taken right after the implant was placed.

Clear Essix retainer with a temporary front tooth, worn the day a dental implant was placed and shown on its own, made by Dr. Gentry in Arlington VA — An Essix retainer with a temporary tooth: worn the day the implant was placed, and on its own

Common Questions About Dental Implants

Who places the dental implant?

Dr. Gentry works closely with skilled surgical specialists who place the implant. He plans the final tooth from the beginning, then designs and places your implant crown.

Can an implant be placed the same day a tooth is removed?

Often, yes. This is called immediate implant placement. Whether it's right for you depends on the health of your bone and gums, which your dental team evaluates first.

Will I have a gap in my smile while the implant heals?

Not necessarily. For a front tooth, a clear Essix retainer can hold a temporary replacement tooth while the implant fuses with the bone.

How long does the process take?

The implant needs time to heal and fuse with the jawbone before the final crown is placed, usually several months. Dr. Gentry will give you a timeline for your case.

What is an implant crown made of?

Dr. Gentry uses zirconia and porcelain, which combine strength with a natural, lifelike look, digitally designed to match your other teeth.

Missing or Broken Tooth?

Call us at 703-522-7733 and our team will get to know your needs and find the right appointment for you. We're two blocks from the Court House Metro in Arlington.

Learn more about Dr. Philip Gentry.