Meet your implant dentist: Dr. Louis Abukhalaf
Dr. Louis Abukhalaf graduated magna cum laude from the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Before that, he earned his chemistry and biochemistry degree summa cum laude from Loyola University Chicago. He completed advanced implant training through the Misch International Implant Institute, the program founded by the late Dr. Carl Misch and widely considered one of the most rigorous implant programs in the country. He continues his postgraduate study at the Kois Center, focusing on cosmetic and implant dentistry.
For 46219 patients, that training matters in a practical way: implant cases are planned and placed by a dentist who has spent extra years specifically learning the surgical and restorative side of implant dentistry, not by a referred surgeon you have never met.
"Implants are not a quick procedure to me. I want to know the bone, I want to know the bite, and I want to know the patient. The 3D scan we take at the first visit answers half the questions. The conversation we have at the second visit answers the other half." Dr. Louis Abukhalaf
Implant options at our 46219 office
Single-tooth implants
A single-tooth implant replaces one missing tooth with a titanium post that fuses to the jawbone, plus a custom crown on top. It is the closest match in look and function to a natural tooth that modern dentistry can offer. Unlike a bridge, it does not require shaving down the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Multiple-tooth implants and implant bridges
When several teeth in a row are missing, you do not always need one implant per tooth. Two well-placed implants can support a fixed bridge that replaces three or four teeth, often at a lower total cost than placing an individual implant for each missing tooth. We will walk you through both options at the consult.
Full-arch (All-on-X) implants
Patients who have lost most or all of an arch can replace the full set of upper or lower teeth on as few as four to six implants. The result is a fixed, non-removable set of teeth that you brush and care for like natural teeth. For patients who have worn dentures and want them gone for good, this is usually the option that changes the most about daily life.
How implant treatment works at SmileCentric East
Step 1: Consultation and 3D imaging
Your first visit is a free implant consultation. We take a 3D Cone Beam scan, look at your bone volume and the position of nerves and sinuses, and talk through what you want the final result to look like. You leave the visit with a written treatment plan and an itemized cost estimate.
Step 2: Placement (and bone grafting if needed)
Implant placement is done in our office under local anesthesia. Sedation is available for patients who want it. If your bone volume is not enough to hold an implant on its own, a small bone graft can be done at the same visit or as a separate step a few months earlier.
Step 3: Healing and final restoration
The implant integrates with your bone over roughly three to six months, depending on the location and your healing. Once integration is confirmed, we attach the abutment and final crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration. We use Same-Day Crowns when the case allows, so the final tooth can sometimes be delivered in one visit.
How much do dental implants cost in 46219?
A single dental implant in the United States typically runs from about $3,000 to $6,000 once the implant post, abutment, and crown are all included, according to ranges published by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Full-arch implant restorations run substantially more because of the extra implants, the larger restoration, and the lab work involved.
Your actual cost depends on factors specific to your mouth: how many teeth need replacing, whether bone grafting is needed, the type of crown material used, and whether sedation is part of the plan. We provide an itemized estimate before treatment is scheduled, so you can compare it line by line against your insurance benefits.
For payment, we are in-network with most major PPO plans, file claims for you, and offer monthly financing through OrthoFi. Patients without insurance can ask about our membership discount plan.
Are dental implants right for you?
Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth are good implant candidates. Implants ask three things of your body: enough bone to hold the post, healthy gums around the site, and a healing system that is not impaired by uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking, or certain medications. Bone grafting can solve the first problem when needed. Gum disease is treated first when the second is the issue. The third is something we will talk through honestly with you at the consultation.
Finding our office from anywhere in 46219
If you live anywhere in the 46219 ZIP code, you are already inside our service neighborhood. Our office is at 115 North Shortridge Road, Suite 200, on the east side of the street, just north of East Washington Street (US 40) and a few blocks south of East 10th Street. Most points in 46219 are a five to ten minute drive away.
The two main east-west arteries that feed Shortridge Road are East Washington Street to the south and East 10th Street to the north. From most Irvington neighborhoods, you can take either one to Shortridge and reach our parking lot in a few minutes. From the eastern part of 46219 closer to Cumberland, East Washington Street leads straight west to Shortridge.
Parking is on site and the office is on the second floor of the building.
About the 46219 community we serve
The 46219 ZIP covers a meaningful slice of the east side of Indianapolis. It includes the Irvington Historic District (designated for its tree-lined streets and locally owned shops), Warren Park, and the Pleasant Run neighborhood. Ellenberger Park, the Pleasant Run Greenway, and the Irvington branch of the Indianapolis Public Library are within easy reach of our office.
Local schools are operated by the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township and include Warren Central High School, Stonybrook Middle School, and several elementary schools. The U.S. Census Bureau places the 46219 population around 40,000 residents.
Our 46219 Dental Services Include:
Dental Implants Provider
Insurance, financing, and new-patient specials
We are in-network with most major PPO plans and we file your claims for you. If you do not have insurance, you have three options:
- A $59 new-patient exam and X-rays.
- A $49 healthy-mouth cleaning and polishing for new patients (in the absence of periodontal disease).
- A free dental implant consultation that includes the 3D imaging and a written treatment plan.
Our membership discount plan covers preventive care plus a percentage off other services for patients without insurance, and OrthoFi financing makes implants payable in monthly installments.
Dental implant FAQs
How long do dental implants last?
Long-term studies of modern endosseous implants report success rates around 95 percent at 10 years and beyond when patients keep up with cleanings and home care. The implant post itself can last for life. The crown on top is a separate part and may need replacement once or twice over a few decades, similar to any other crown.
Does getting an implant hurt?
The placement itself is done under local anesthesia and most patients are surprised by how little they feel. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is common and usually managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Severe pain is uncommon and a sign to call us.
What if I do not have enough bone for an implant?
Bone grafting can rebuild the volume needed to hold an implant. Many patients who were told elsewhere they were not implant candidates turn out to be candidates after a small graft. Your 3D scan will show whether grafting is needed and how much.
Can I get implants if I currently wear dentures?
Yes. Many full-arch implant patients come to us already wearing dentures and ready to be done with them. The All-on-X options listed above are designed for exactly that situation.
How long does the whole implant process take?
A simple single-tooth case from consultation to final crown usually takes three to six months because of the time needed for the bone to integrate with the implant. Cases that need grafting first take longer. Cases done with immediate-load full-arch protocols can have temporary teeth in place the same day, with the final restoration completed once healing is done.
Schedule a free implant consultation in 46219
If you are missing one or more teeth and want to know what implants would look like for your specific mouth, the consultation is free and there is no pressure to commit. Call us at (317) 777-7179or book online and ask for the implant consultation. We will see you on Shortridge Road.
Looking for the same information for a different community? Our hub page covers the full implant treatment process and pricing in depth: see the East Indianapolis dental implants page. Patients in nearby ZIP codes can also visit the 46226 and 46229 pages.
Indianapolis New Patient Dental Specials
New Patient Exams
$59
No insurance? We offer a $59 Comprehensive New Patient Exam and X-Rays.
New patients only.
Cannot be combined with insurance.
New Patient Healthy Mouth Cleaning
$49
No insurance? We offer a $49 New Patient Exam Healthy Mouth Cleaning and Polishing.
New patients only. Cannot be combined with insurance. Includes a Healthy Mouth Cleaning in the absence of periodontal disease.
Dental Implant Consultation
FREE
No insurance? We offer a FREE Dental Implants Consultation
We offer multiple implant options to replace missing teeth.
Click here to learn more about our dental implant consultations.
Our Indianapolis Dental Practice Location
Office Hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed