01 Dental Implants
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Periodontist & Implantologist
Losing a tooth changes how you eat, speak and bite long before it changes how you look. A dental implant replaces the root as well as the crown, so the bone underneath stays supported instead of shrinking away over time.
At Clarus Dental Specialities in Koregaon Park, implant treatment is planned and placed directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, rather than handed to a general dentist as one procedure among many.
Patients usually visit us for: one missing tooth several missing teeth a full arch needing replacement a loose or failing bridge or denture wanting a fixed, non-removable option
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Implant-related pain or a dislodged restoration? Emergency slots may be available the same day, subject to the clinic's schedule. call to confirm.
Quick answer: Dental implants are titanium posts placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root, topped with a crown, bridge or denture once healed. In Koregaon Park, Pune, Clarus Dental Specialities plans and places implants under the direct care of Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, a US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, meaning the surgical and restorative planning is handled by a specialist, not delegated.
Before You Book
But if you want treatment backed by science and done by a US Board Certified Specialist, you're in the right chair.
02 Overview
A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over roughly three to six months, bone grows against the implant surface (a process called osseointegration), anchoring it much like a natural root. A crown, bridge or denture is then attached on top.
This differs from a bridge, which relies on grinding down neighbouring teeth, and from a removable denture, which sits on the gum and can shift while eating or speaking. Because an implant is anchored in bone, it also helps prevent the bone loss that follows tooth loss.
Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar's postgraduate periodontology training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, together with his ITI Fellowship, is specifically in the tissues implants depend on (bone and gum), which is why implant planning here sits within a periodontal specialty rather than general dentistry.
03 Candidacy
Not everyone who has lost a tooth is an immediate candidate. Bone volume, gum health and general medical history all factor into the plan. A short clinical evaluation, usually including imaging, is how this is confirmed.
Common signs it may be worth a consultation: a missing tooth left as a gap, a loose or shifting tooth next to one already missing, a denture or bridge that no longer sits comfortably, or a sunken area of gum where a tooth used to be.
04 Background
Teeth are lost to deep decay, advanced gum disease, trauma, or an unsalvageable root fracture. Whatever the cause, the jawbone that held the root begins resorbing (shrinking) once it's gone, which is why a gap left untreated for years often looks more sunken than one treated soon after extraction.
Bridges and dentures replace the visible crown but don't sit inside the bone, so neither stops that loss. An implant does, which is usually the clinical argument for choosing one over the alternatives.
Patients on osteoporosis medication or other bone-modifying drugs should mention this at consultation, since it can affect how implant and extraction sites are planned around the jaw.
05 Options
The right option depends on how many teeth are missing and the condition of the surrounding bone and gum, which is assessed during the initial consultation.
One implant post supporting one crown, used to replace an individual missing tooth without touching the neighbouring teeth.
Two or more implants supporting a fixed bridge, used when several adjacent teeth are missing and a removable option isn't preferred.
A fixed full-arch prosthesis supported by four to six implants, for patients missing most or all teeth in a jaw.
06 Procedure
A clinical exam plus X-rays or a 3D scan, as needed, to assess bone volume, gum condition and nearby nerves and sinuses before anything is planned.
Implant position, angle and size are planned against the imaging; preparatory work such as bone grafting or treating gum disease is scheduled first if needed.
The implant is placed into the jawbone under local anaesthesia. Most single-implant placements are completed in one sitting.
Bone grows against the implant surface and anchors it, typically over 3 to 4 months in the lower jaw and 6 to 8 months in the upper jaw, with progress checked at follow-up visits.
Once integration is confirmed, an abutment and the final dental crown, bridge or denture are fitted and the bite adjusted.
07 Cost Factors
Implant cost is case-specific. It depends on the evaluation and complexity of each case, not a fixed rate per tooth. It is discussed only after an examination, once the following are known:
A specific estimate is only meaningful after a clinical evaluation and imaging. This section is informational and is not a quotation.
If you've already been given an implant treatment plan elsewhere, Dr. Neel is available to review the imaging and plan and share an independent clinical view.
08 Aftercare
Mild swelling and discomfort are normal. Ice packs, a soft diet and prescribed medication as advised. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting.
Gentle brushing resumes around the site, stitches (if placed) are reviewed, and any early concerns are addressed at a check-up.
The osseointegration period. Follow-up visits confirm the implant is stable before the final restoration is fitted.
Routine periodontal maintenance, professional cleanings and avoiding biting very hard objects directly on the implant crown.
09 Limits
Part of a specialist's job is knowing when an implant isn't the right recommendation. Placement is typically deferred when:
10 Your Visit
The first appointment is a consultation, not a same-visit procedure. It includes a review of your dental and medical history, a clinical exam, and imaging if none is already available. Dr. Neel reviews the findings with you directly and explains whether an implant is appropriate, the alternatives, and any preparatory treatment needed first.
Questions are welcome, and asking for a second opinion on a plan from elsewhere is a normal request here.
11 Why This Clinic
BDS (Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai) · Postgraduate periodontology training, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA · Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology (2008) · ITI Fellow, International Team for Implantology (2009)
Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, and one of only two in India, Dr. Neel has treated periodontal and implant cases for over two decades, including clinical periodontology roles in the United States before founding Clarus Dental Specialities in Pune in 2010.
Implant planning and placement are handled by a periodontist, the specialty trained specifically in gum and bone tissue.
The only clinic in Pune with a periodontist holding US Board Certification and ITI Fellow status.
Imaging-led planning before any surgical step, rather than working from a visual exam alone.
The only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai, reflecting an external vetting standard beyond routine registration.
Patients can also read independent reviews on Google and Practo.
12 Visit Us
This dentist and dental clinic in Koregaon Park also treats patients from nearby areas of Pune. See the full Koregaon Park clinic page →
13 International Patients
Clarus Dental Specialities is the only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai, and Dr. Neel holds a dual US-India dental license, which is why several NRI and overseas patients time implant treatment around a visit to Pune.
Osseointegration takes three to six months regardless of who performs the surgery, so a single-trip treatment usually isn't realistic for a full case. Most international cases are planned across two visits: placement on one trip, final crown or prosthesis on a later one, with English-language records provided for your home-country dentist to monitor in between.
14 FAQ
For a single implant with adequate bone, total treatment, from placement to final crown, typically spans 3 to 4 months in the lower jaw and 6 to 8 months in the upper jaw, most of which is the body's own healing time. Full-arch cases and cases needing bone grafting take longer.
Placement is done under local anaesthesia, so the procedure itself is not painful. Mild swelling or soreness for a few days afterward is normal and is usually managed with standard pain relief.
Published literature generally places long-term implant survival in the 90 to 95%+ range over ten years when placed and maintained correctly. Individual outcomes are affected by bone quality, oral hygiene, smoking, and how well any underlying gum disease or systemic conditions are managed, which is why these are assessed before treatment.
A bridge relies on the neighbouring teeth for support and requires shaping them down. A denture sits on the gum and can move while eating or speaking. An implant is anchored directly in the jawbone, independent of neighbouring teeth, and helps preserve the bone underneath.
Sometimes. This depends on the condition of the socket, the presence of infection, and bone volume at the site. It is evaluated case by case, and in many cases the site is allowed to heal first before placement.
Low bone volume doesn't automatically rule out an implant. Bone grafting or a sinus lift can rebuild the site first, adding time to the overall treatment plan, and is assessed at the imaging stage.
Most people return to normal activity within a few days, with some swelling in the first 48 hours. Full bone healing (osseointegration) takes several months, though it does not typically restrict daily activity during that period.
Implants are brushed and flossed like natural teeth, alongside routine periodontal check-ups and cleanings. Ongoing gum health around the implant is one of the biggest factors in its long-term survival.
1. Long-term clinical studies on dental implant survival and osseointegration success rates, indexed on PubMed Central. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
2. Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar's peer-reviewed publications, indexed on PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Call or WhatsApp the clinic directly to ask questions or set up a consultation with Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar.
This page provides general dental information and does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Outcomes vary by individual case. No specific results, costs, or timelines are guaranteed. Please consult Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar or a qualified specialist for advice specific to your condition.
