For over 30 years, dental implants have been considered the gold standard for tooth replacement by dentists and patients alike, and that’s because they do something no other treatment can: bring back the entire tooth.
Instead of just restoring the part you can see, implants involve placing a small titanium post into the jawbone to recreate the root, serving as the foundation for the new tooth. Thanks to this, they have a lifelike appearance, stability, and durability beyond every other prosthetic, enabling patients with any number of missing teeth to enjoy a renewed smile and oral health for a lifetime to come. Could they be exactly what your smile needs? To learn more about how you can close the gaps in your smile for good, contact us today.
A dental implant is a cylinder-shaped titanium post that is designed to act as the root of a missing tooth. These implants look like little screws and are surgically inserted into the jawbone at strategic locations and angles for optimal support. Once placed, the implant fuses with the surrounding bone and tissue in a process called “osseointegration.” Then, the implant is able to support a custom restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) with the use of a metal attachment called an “abutment.” By recreating each part of your missing tooth, a dental implant will look, feel, and act just like a natural tooth!
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! This is because they replace the roots of the missing teeth instead of just the chewing services. To achieve this, dental implants require a unique, multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the main four steps that everyone can expect.
The first step when getting dental implants is to attend a consultation with your dentist. During this time, they will examine your smile to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Some patients need to have preliminary treatments completed before they are able to get implants. This could include bone grafting or gum disease treatment. Once your gums and jaw are in good shape, we can move on to planning the rest of your dental implant treatment.
Getting dental implants requires a surgical procedure. At North Bethesda Dental & Implant Specialists, we are proud to complete the entire dental implant process in our office. This means that you won’t need to work with a local specialist at a separate location. First, the area will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, an incision is made in the gums so the implants can be carefully placed at strategic locations and angles. Lastly, the gums are closed and protective caps are placed over the ends to keep them safe throughout the healing process.
Over the next three to six months, the osseointegration process takes place. This is when the dental implant fuses to the jawbone, allowing for additional stability, longevity, and comfort. Once this is complete, you will need to undergo another small procedure in which we will attach the abutments to the ends of your implants. Impressions are also taken so your restoration(s) can be custom-crafted for you at the dental laboratory.
Once your restoration(s) is complete, you can return to the dental office. We will attach your restoration(s) to your dental implant(s) via the abutment(s). If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to leave the practice showing off your new and complete smile!
Because of their two-part construction, dental implants offer a host of benefits you just won’t find with other replacements:
No matter how many teeth a person is missing, they can get dental implants if they meet two basic requirements: they need a healthy mouth and a jawbone strong enough to support the titanium roots. When this has been confirmed with an exam, implants can be topped with the following restorations:
Traditional bridges require the teeth near the missing one to be filed down in order to hold the prosthetic, but with a dental implant, our team can simply position a root within the smile and attach it to a porcelain crown, closing the gap without disturbing a patient’s remaining teeth.
Prosthetics like bridges and partial dentures can be supported by a small number of implants to replace multiple teeth in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Compared to traditional removable dental prosthetics, implant bridges and dentures have been shown to fit better and last longer.
If you are missing an entire row of teeth, we can restore it using just four to six implants placed along the jaw. These will provide support for a full denture that simply snaps onto them. Thanks to this base, implant dentures help patients recover much more of their bite strength compared to removable ones, allowing them to enjoy a more varied and healthy diet.
It is very common for the jawbone to shrink and atrophy after the teeth go missing, meaning many patients with longstanding tooth loss lack the bone density to safely get dental implants. With a bone graft, however, our team can use a patient’s own bone, donated bone, or a lab-made grafting material to build up and strengthen the exact area of the jaw that will hold a patient’s implant roots. This procedure enables even more people to rebuild their smile and enjoy it for a lifetime to come.
Every dental implant treatment we provide is uniquely based on how many teeth a patient is missing, where they are located, and the condition of someone’s jawbone. This means the cost of the procedure is always different, so the best way to get an estimate for your particular implant process is to come see us for an in-person consultation.
While implants do tend to be more expensive than other treatments upfront, their superior aesthetics, strength, and durability often help patients save money over time. Regular bridges & dentures last, on average, about five to seven years, while implants can last for decades or longer. A patient will spend much less time and money on periodic maintenance, more than making up for the difference in the initial cost.
One of the great things about dental implants is their stability and longevity. On average, a successful dental implant will last for 15 years, but they have been known to last for more than 30! The biggest factor when it comes to the lifespan of your dental implants is how well you take care of them. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups with Dr. Chen are the keys to successful long-term restorations for your missing teeth. There are also certain habits like using your teeth as tools or crunching into ice cubes that can interfere with your implants, just like regular teeth. So, do your best to avoid them!
Every patient’s situation is different, but many can return to work the next day after surgery. However, depending on your job, you may need to take off for one or two days to recover. If you work in a field that requires strenuous activity, you may consider extending your recovery time to three or four days. Heavy exercise can cause excessive blood pressure, teeth grinding, and physical stress that can slow your healing process. So, if you’re able, it’s best to plan ahead and talk to your employer about taking at least one day off to kickstart your recovery.
Dental implants are unique because they replace the entire tooth from crown to root. It’s the most life-like and complete restoration in dentistry, giving you both the look and feel of a normal tooth. When you bite down on a dental implant, you’ll feel the pressure going through it. However, there are some sensations that are lost—specifically the ability to feel temperature and chemical composition. Dental implants don’t restore the nerve endings in the socket. So, though you may experience the force of biting, it won’t come with sensitivity to hot, cold, acidic, or sugary food and drinks.
At our practice, we know that age is just a number when it comes to dental implant placement. If you have a clean bill of oral health, overall bodily well-being, and sufficient jawbone density, you should be a dental implant candidate. The only concerns that Dr. Chen may have with older patients are decreased immune function and chronic health issues. As you age, your immune system naturally degrades, making healing more difficult. Your recovery can also be complicated by autoimmune diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. This is why Dr. Chen will want to discuss your medical history before proceeding with your dental implant surgery.
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