Placed and restored in-house — no referral to an oral surgeon, no back-and-forth between offices.
A missing tooth affects more than your smile. It changes how you chew, how you speak, and over time, causes surrounding teeth to shift and jawbone to deteriorate. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that addresses all of it — not just the visible gap, but the underlying bone structure.
At First Avenue Dental, Dr. Faisal Shaikh places and restores implants entirely in-house. One provider, one location, one consistent standard of care from your first scan through final crown placement. Patients across Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, and Wake County come to us specifically because they want the full implant process managed in one place — without the coordination gaps that come with referrals.
Bridges and dentures are legitimate treatment options — but they come with trade-offs implants don't.
A traditional bridge requires permanently altering two healthy adjacent teeth to serve as anchors. A removable denture sits on the gum surface and can shift during eating or speaking. Neither stimulates the jawbone the way a natural tooth root does — which means bone loss continues over time regardless.
Implants are the only replacement option that preserves bone volume, keeps adjacent teeth untouched, and restores full chewing function without any movement or adhesive. They're also the most cost-effective long-term solution — lasting decades compared to bridges (10–15 years) and dentures (5–10 years before adjustment or replacement).
Precise implant placement starts with precise imaging. At First Avenue Dental, we use CBCT cone beam CT technology to capture a full 3D image of your teeth, jawbone, bone density, and surrounding anatomical structures before a single incision is made.
This level of imaging allows Dr. Shaikh to plan the exact positioning, angle, and depth of each implant — accounting for bone availability, nerve proximity, and the final aesthetic outcome. Many practices send patients to external imaging centers for this step. We do it in-house, which means faster planning, better precision, and one less appointment for you.
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When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink almost immediately. Without the stimulation of a tooth root, bone gradually resorbs — and the longer you wait, the more is lost. For many patients, this means there isn't enough bone volume to place an implant without preparation first.
Bone grafting rebuilds that foundation. We place a small amount of bone graft material at the implant site, which fuses with your existing bone over several months and creates the density needed for a stable, long-lasting implant. If you've been told in the past that you don't have enough bone for implants, it's worth getting a fresh evaluation. With CBCT 3D imaging, we can assess your bone volume precisely — and in many cases, patients who were told they weren't candidates find they have more options than they thought.
Using data from your CBCT scan, Dr. Shaikh designs a custom 3D-printed surgical guide that directs the implant to the exact planned position, angle, and depth — eliminating guesswork during surgery entirely.
The result is a faster procedure, less tissue trauma, more predictable healing, and a restoration that fits exactly as planned from day one.
Implants are the only tooth replacement that replicates the full function of a natural tooth root. You brush them, floss them, and bite into food with full confidence — no adjustments to your diet, no removal at night, no adhesives.
Every implant crown is custom-designed to match the shade, shape, and contour of your surrounding teeth. Most patients find it impossible to tell the difference between their implant and their natural teeth — and so will everyone else.
Implants are the only replacement option that stimulates the jawbone the way a natural root does — preventing the bone loss that begins immediately after a tooth is lost. Unlike bridges, they don't require altering healthy adjacent teeth.
After your treatment plan is confirmed, we'll arrange your oral surgery and outline the procedure. In the surgery, a precise incision will be made in your gum to place the dental implant into your jawbone securely. Following this, we'll meticulously clean the area and apply sutures to initiate the healing phase.
The healing process begins as soon as the implant is in place. The site of the incision will heal within 1-2 weeks. However, it takes about 3-6 months for the implant to fully integrate with your jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. During this period, we'll schedule a few follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure everything is healing correctly.
The final step is the restoration phase. We will tailor-make a beautiful dental crown that complements your smile seamlessly and attach it securely to the abutment which securely attaches to your implant. With this final step, your smile will be beautifully restored and complete!
238 five-star reviews on Google. Rated 5.0★ — the highest-rated dental practice in Knightdale, NC.
From the moment I walked in immediately the greeting was beautiful made you feel welcome The Doctor Dentist assistant was very nice and explained everything well that was going to happen. Kept checking on me making sure I felt comfortable and was OK even offered to hold my hand with made me feel very safe and comfortable The doctor also was very nice and explained everything very well he was very thorough and he had a easy hand even down to the financial part, the lady was so sweet And also willing to work with you with your financing I highly recommend this place to anybody that has anxiety or just hate going to the dentist. Everything was very nice and clean and organized. definitely my experience was five stars and will definitely recommend family and friends
I had an excellent experience at First Avenue Dental. The entire team was welcoming, professional, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. The staff took the time to answer my questions, explain my treatment options, and ensure I felt at ease throughout my visit. The office is clean, modern, and well-organized, and the level of care I received exceeded my expectations. It’s clear that patient comfort and quality treatment are top priorities here. I highly recommend First Avenue Dental to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and trustworthy dental team in Knightdale.
Dr. Shaikh and the entire team at First Avenue Dental are outstanding. From the moment you walk in, everyone is warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. What I appreciate most is the attention to detail that Dr. Shaikh and the staff bring to every visit. They take the time to listen, explain everything clearly, and make sure your specific needs are met. You never feel rushed, and it's clear they truly care about their patients. I've always felt anxious and nervous about going to the dentist, but that isn't the case here. The entire team creates a comfortable, supportive environment that puts you at ease. I highly recommend First Avenue Dental to anyone looking for exceptional care and a genuinely positive dental experience.
I just wanted to share a quick thank you after my recent dental visit. Dr. Faisal Shaikh and hygienist Page were truly wonderful. I get really nervous about going to the dentist, but they were so kind, patient, and reassuring the entire time. They made sure I was comfortable and helped ease my anxiety, which meant a lot to me. This office really made my visit feel much easier than I expected, and I’m very grateful for the care I received. Thank you to the entire staff at First Avenue Dental for such a positive experience.
I took my 3 year old daughter there and she had such a wonderful time with her visit to the dentisit. The staff are super caring and friendly, they instantly made her enjoy her visit. They worked hard to put us on the calendar in the Christmas season and were attentive to my daughter's visit and follow up. I can't recommend them enough!
Excellent service at First Avenue Dental in Knightdale! Dr. Shaikh and his team are always friendly and professional. I had my implant placed here and couldn't be happier — I have my smile back.
Dr. Shaikh, Shenah, and Ryah were wonderful during my visit today. You cannot find more personable and friendly staff members than at First Avenue Dental in Knightdale, NC. Everyone is always pleasant and friendly. They are the reason that I continue to have teeth in my mouth! 😃
Dr. Shaikh walked me through my treatment plan at First Avenue Dental and answered every question. The team worked together seamlessly when we needed to adjust my care — I felt heard the whole visit.
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Single tooth implants are a popular choice for dental restoration. They consist of two primary components. The first is the implant itself, a titanium rod with a screw-like design. The second is the dental crown, or the visible part, which is attached to the rod. This crown replicates the look, functionality, and feel of your natural tooth. Offering superior durability, single-tooth implants are a stable solution, unlike partial dentures, and they remain firmly in place without shifting.
Our dental implants, made from high-grade titanium, are precisely crafted in specialized labs to ensure a variety of standard sizes for the implant post. The dental crown, a key component of the implant, is custom-made for each patient, ensuring a perfect match for your smile. Depending on your specific needs, we either create your implant in-house using cutting-edge milling technology or collaborate with a trusted lab, where we send detailed impressions of your teeth.
The lab meticulously constructs a durable and resilient crown, often using porcelain for its remarkable similarity to natural tooth enamel in both look and strength. Once your tailor-made crown is ready, it's sent back to our clinic. Here, we carefully attach it to the implant, ensuring a secure and seamless fit. This final step brings your dental restoration to completion, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.
With correct placement and diligent maintenance, dental implants can last over 30 years, often remaining with patients for a lifetime. However, the crown or restoration part may require replacement over time due to normal wear from daily activities like chewing and biting. Regular dental check-ups allow us to ensure your implant and restoration remain in optimal condition.
While rare, it's possible for dental implants to get infected, a condition known as peri-implantitis. This typically occurs if the implant isn't adequately cleaned or cared for post-surgery. To prevent this, follow post-operative care instructions diligently and maintain regular oral hygiene practices once the implant has healed.
Yes, dental implants play a crucial role in preventing bone loss. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone misses the stimulation from natural chewing forces, leading to bone deterioration. The titanium implant post, once placed, integrates with the jawbone, acting like an artificial tooth root. It effectively transmits chewing forces to the jaw, just like a natural tooth, maintaining bone health and strength.
In certain situations, it's feasible to receive a dental implant in just one day. This depends on the specific implant type suitable for your case. Initially, a temporary restoration is provided to maintain functionality and aesthetics during the healing period. This allows normal speech and eating while you heal.
We schedule follow-up visits to monitor your healing and take impressions for your permanent restoration. This final, custom-made crown will be more durable and natural-looking compared to the temporary one. We recommend a consultation to explore the best implant options for your needs.
Preserve. protect. restore