ATTENTION VA BEACH PATIENTS:
Our new location is 837 First Colonial Road, VA Beach, VA 23451
Chesapeake attracts a particular type of patient: someone who has done their research, weighed their options, and decided they want to do things right the first time. That mindset shows up across the city — from the young professionals settling into South Chesapeake to the families who have lived in Great Bridge for decades. When those patients lose a single tooth, they typically don’t want a bridge that requires filing down healthy adjacent teeth. They want a single-tooth dental implant: the solution that replaces the root, protects the jawbone, and lasts.
At Goodove Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, single-tooth implants are among the most common procedures we perform at our Chesapeake location. Dr. Peter Zagursky leads our Chesapeake office as a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a background that includes hospital-based surgical residency training, military medicine, and extensive implant experience serving this community. Our practice is independent by choice, which means every decision we make is guided by what is best for you — not a corporate protocol or a volume-based incentive structure.
A single-tooth dental implant is a three-part restoration that permanently replaces one missing tooth. A small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the surrounding bone over a healing period of several months in a process called osseointegration. Once that bond has formed, an abutment is connected to the post, and a custom-made porcelain crown is placed on top to complete the restoration.
Unlike a traditional dental bridge, which relies on adjacent teeth for support, an implant stands entirely on its own. The titanium root preserves the surrounding bone by providing the stimulation that bone tissue needs to stay dense and healthy.
Without a root, the jawbone in the open space gradually resorbs, which can alter facial structure and complicate future dental treatment. An implant is the only tooth replacement option that addresses both the crown and the root simultaneously, which is why the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recognizes implant placement as one of the most reliable and predictable procedures in oral surgery.
Most healthy adults who are missing a single tooth are good candidates for a dental implant. The most important factors are having adequate bone volume to support the implant and good overall oral health. Patients who have experienced bone loss at the extraction site may first require a bone grafting procedure to rebuild the necessary foundation before implant placement can proceed.
At our Chesapeake office, the consultation process is thorough and unhurried. Dr. Zagursky will review your medical history, examine your existing teeth and tissue, and use cone-beam CT imaging to evaluate the precise dimensions of your jawbone. This three-dimensional scan allows for accurate implant planning and helps ensure that placement is guided with a high degree of precision.
The following factors are reviewed during the evaluation to determine the right treatment plan for you:
Every patient leaves the consultation with a clear picture of their recommended treatment path, the expected timeline, and answers to all of their questions.
The implant journey typically unfolds in several stages across a few months, though the actual time in the chair for each appointment is often shorter than patients expect. Our surgical team is experienced and efficient, and many patients remark that the procedure moved considerably faster than they had anticipated.
Implant placement is performed under local anesthesia, and sedation options are available for patients who prefer a more relaxed experience. After the post is placed, a healing period allows osseointegration to occur, during which the bone gradually bonds to the implant surface. Our team provides detailed dental implant surgery aftercare instructions to guide you through this period and help you protect your investment from day one.
Once we can confirm that the post has fused with your jawbone, the custom crown is attached, completing the restoration. The crown is matched to the shade and shape of your natural teeth so that it blends seamlessly into your smile. At this stage, the implant functions just like a real tooth, allowing you to eat, speak, and brush without any special accommodations.
Experience makes a significant difference in implant outcomes, and our blog post on why experience matters in dental implant success explores exactly why surgical training and case volume matter when you are choosing a provider. We also accept a wide range of insurance plans and offer flexible financing through CareCredit and Cherry Financing, because access to quality care matters to us as much as the quality of the care itself.
Chesapeake patients with a single missing tooth can schedule a consultation with Dr. Zagursky at our Chesapeake office to get a clear answer on candidacy, timeline, and cost. The consultation includes a thorough evaluation, cone-beam CT imaging, and a personalized treatment plan — no pressure, no ambiguity. Contact our Chesapeake office to get started, or continue reading below to learn why board-certified care makes a difference in implant outcomes.
Dr. Zagursky is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a distinction that requires completing a four-year hospital-based surgical residency, passing both written and oral board examinations, and maintaining ongoing continuing education requirements. He is also a member of AAOMS and the Virginia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Goodove Oral Surgery has remained an independent, community-rooted practice by choice. This allows us to provide a more personalized experience, with direct access to your surgeon, continuity of care, and a team that is committed to building lasting relationships within the community we serve. If you are ready to take the next step toward a complete, confident smile, we invite you to contact our Chesapeake office to schedule your consultation today.
Our patients often ask us the following questions
With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime. The titanium post itself is designed for permanent integration with the jaw, and the porcelain crown on top typically lasts 15 to 25 years before it may need replacement due to normal wear. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are all that’s needed to protect your investment long-term.
The cost of a single-tooth implant varies depending on whether preparatory procedures like bone grafting are needed, the type of crown selected, and your individual treatment plan. Many patients are surprised to find that insurance covers a portion of the procedure, and we accept most major PPO dental plans, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs coverage. CareCredit and Cherry Financing are also available for added flexibility. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to schedule a consultation at our Chesapeake office, where we’ll review your imaging and build a detailed treatment plan.
Implant placement is performed under local anesthesia, so most patients feel little to no discomfort during the procedure itself. Sedation options are also available for those who prefer a more relaxed experience. Post-procedure soreness is normal and typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients report that the recovery was more comfortable than they expected.
Yes. Before your procedure, Dr. Zagursky will review your medical history and any medications you’re taking, as certain medications can affect healing. You’ll receive specific pre-operative instructions based on your sedation choice. If you’ve opted for IV sedation, you’ll need to fast beforehand and arrange for someone to drive you home. Our team will walk you through everything you need to know well in advance of your appointment.
Yes, but patients who have had a missing tooth for an extended period often experience some degree of jawbone resorption at the site. In these cases, a bone graft may be necessary before implant placement to rebuild the foundation needed to support the post. This is something Dr. Zagursky assesses during your initial consultation using cone-beam CT imaging, so you’ll know exactly what your treatment path looks like from the start.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete a four- to six-year hospital-based surgical residency after dental school, providing advanced training in anesthesia, complex extractions, bone reconstruction, and implant placement. This additional training matters when cases involve bone grafting, sedation, or anatomical complexity near nerves and sinuses. At Goodove Oral Surgery, Dr. Zagursky is board-certified, meaning he has also passed rigorous written and oral examinations to verify his expertise.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
