Implant Dentistry
Dental Implants in Dallas, Planned and Restored by a Prosthodontist
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth root with a small post placed in the jawbone, topped by a crown that looks and works like a natural tooth. At our Preston Center practice, Dr. Kathia Steel plans the case and builds the final teeth as a board-certified prosthodontist; the surgical placement is handled by a trusted specialist she partners with. One plan, two sets of expert hands.
What a dental implant is
An implant is a small post, usually titanium, that takes the place of a missing tooth root. Bone heals around it over time and holds it firmly, and a custom crown is then attached on top. Because the post is anchored in the jaw rather than resting on the gums or clasping to neighboring teeth, a single implant can replace one tooth without altering the healthy teeth on either side.
Most people with healthy bone are candidates. Some need bone grafting first to rebuild a site that has thinned after a tooth was lost. We look at the site, review 3D imaging, and tell you honestly whether an implant is the right option for you or whether something simpler will serve you just as well.
Who dental implants are for
Implants suit patients who are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of their teeth and who want a replacement that stays put. They are worth considering when:
- A single tooth is gone and you would rather not reshape the neighbors for a bridge.
- Several teeth are missing and you want fixed replacements instead of a removable partial.
- A denture no longer feels stable and you want it anchored — a fixed full-arch option like All-on-4 may fit.
Implants are not the only answer, and they are not always the best-value answer. If a bridge or a well-made denture will serve you as well, we will say so before you commit to surgery.
The problem implants solve
When a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported it begins to shrink, neighboring teeth can drift, and the bite shifts over time. Replacing the root with an implant preserves the bone at that site and restores a stable chewing surface, so the rest of your mouth is not forced to compensate. For patients who have lived with a gap, a removable partial, or a bridge that has failed, an implant restores function without leaning on the teeth around it.
The process, step by step
Implant treatment at our practice is co-managed: Dr. Steel plans and restores, and a partner specialist performs the surgery. In Dr. Steel's own words:
Examination and diagnostic records are gathered by me and the surgeon to formulate treatment plan options. Treatment plan options are presented and the final treatment plan is determined. During the surgical phase of the treatment, Dr. Steel's main role is to maintain function and esthetics.
Here is how that unfolds:
- Consultation and records. Dr. Steel examines the site and gathers diagnostic records, including digital impressions and CBCT 3D imaging, so the case is planned around your actual anatomy.
- Planning with the surgeon. Dr. Steel and the surgical specialist review the records together and formulate treatment plan options.
- The plan is agreed. Options are presented to you, and a final plan is chosen before any treatment begins.
- Surgical placement. The specialist places the implant. Partner periodontists and oral surgeons in the immediate area handle this surgical step.
- Healing. The implant is left to integrate with the bone — typically several months, depending on the site and whether grafting was needed first.
- Restoration. Once the site has healed, Dr. Steel builds and fits the crown, matching it to your bite and your surrounding teeth so it looks and functions naturally.
We do not promise "teeth in a day," and we do not place implants and load them the same day. Implant care done well is a sequence, and we plan that sequence with you before it starts.
Wondering about fees? See what dental implants cost and what changes the number.
Photo to be added.
Why plan your implant with a prosthodontist
A prosthodontist is the dental specialist in restoring and replacing teeth, with at least three additional years of accredited training after dental school.
That matters for implants because the final tooth, not the surgery alone, is what you live with. An implant placed without a clear picture of the final tooth can end up in the wrong position for it.
Dr. Steel plans the finished result first, then works with the surgeon so the implant is placed to serve it. Her choice about who places your implant is a matter of informed judgment. From 2002 to 2012 she was an Assistant Professor on the Oral Surgery faculty at UT Southwestern Medical Center, restoring the region's major reconstruction cases alongside the surgeons who placed the implants. She is trained in the full arc of implant care and has placed implants herself; she chooses specialist placement because a decade at the surgical table taught her that a case runs best when a surgeon focused on placement and a prosthodontist focused on the restoration each handle the part they do best.
That background runs deep in implant dentistry specifically:
- Board-certified since 2010 — Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists (FACP).
- An implant manufacturer sought out her judgment. From 2008 to 2012 she consulted for Biomet 3i, an implant maker, on how its implants should be planned and restored.
- She teaches this work. Dr. Steel lectures nationally and internationally on dental implants and belongs to the ITI and the Academy of Osseointegration, the field's implant bodies — she trains other dentists in the work she does for you.
To learn more about the specialty, see what a prosthodontist is.
Before and after
Before-and-after photos to be added once patients give written consent.
What patients say
Patient reviews to be added.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Steel place the implant herself?
Your implant is planned and restored by Dr. Steel, a board-certified prosthodontist, and placed by a dedicated surgical specialist she partners with in the immediate area — both working from one plan. She is trained in the full arc of implant care and chooses specialist placement, the judgment of someone who spent a decade restoring cases alongside oral surgeons.
How long does getting a dental implant take?
Implant treatment typically runs several months from placement to the final crown, because the implant needs time to integrate with the bone before the crown is fitted, and some sites need grafting first. Dr. Steel sets out a specific timeline for your case at the consultation. We do not offer same-day or immediate implants.
Am I a candidate for a dental implant?
Most people with healthy jawbone are candidates. Some need bone grafting first to rebuild a thinned site. The way to know is an exam with 3D imaging, after which we tell you honestly whether an implant is right for you or whether another option fits better.
Do you offer same-day implants or "teeth in a day"?
Implant care done well is a planned sequence with a healing period, so we do not place and load implants the same day. We walk you through the timeline before treatment begins.
Is an implant always better than a bridge or denture?
Not always. An implant is often the best long-term choice for a single missing tooth because it spares the neighboring teeth, but a bridge or a well-made denture can be the right call depending on your mouth and your goals. We compare the options with you before you decide.
Request an appointment
Call (214) 369-9000 or request an appointment online. We'll call you within one business day to find the right appointment.
Kathia Steel, D.D.S., M.S., P.A. · 8117 Preston Rd #170, Dallas, TX 75225 · (214) 369-9000