Dental implants are titanium posts that a dentist or oral surgeon inserts into the tooth socket. They replace the missing tooth root of a lost tooth. The jawbone fuses with them to provide the stability and strength of a natural tooth. Dental implants can reduce bone loss in the jaw, restore natural chewing function, and fix speech issues.
Patients with many missing teeth or whole arches of lost teeth benefit from implants. Dental implants are versatile and efficient tooth replacement options for patients who want to fill the gaps in their smile. For example, we can use implant posts to secure dental bridges or dentures to your mouth!
You will get the most natural-looking and functioning results using our affordable dental implants. Dr. Gerald provides all types of dental implants to his patients with lost or missing teeth. Continue reading to learn more about our dental implant services for patients missing one or more of their teeth.
Dental Implant Treatment from Matthew Gerald, DDS
The dental implant procedure begins with a thorough exam at our dental office. First, Dr. Gerald will ensure that your teeth and gums are stable and free of infection before implant treatment. You will need to be in good oral health for the highest success rate. Then he will take dental impressions to help plan your implant placement.
He will refer you to a local oral surgeon for the dental implant surgery phase. Our surgeon will insert the titanium implant post in the mouth’s soft tissues. After surgery, your mouth will heal over a period of three to six months and fuse with the dental implant.
Next, our dentist will place an abutment on top of the post once the surgical site heals. The abutment is a piece that connects the implant post to the dental crown.
Lastly, we will create a realistic crown to cap the implant and completely restore your smile. We may place an implant-supported denture or bridge if we replace many teeth. You will leave our office happy with the best long-term option for your tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Many reasons make dental implants the gold standard of tooth replacement. The following are some of the benefits you can expect after getting dental implants from our Vienna, VA, dentist.
Provide Jawbone Support
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces missing teeth at the root. It actually spurs jawbone regrowth and stops the jawbone from failing when the tooth root is missing! With other solutions, the jawbone continues to weaken the longer you are missing the tooth root.
Prevent Premature Facial Sagging
When your jaw bone is degenerating, it prematurely ages your face. The area where the jawbone is receding starts sagging as there’s less support behind your skin. The muscles in your face weaken and can form deep wrinkles. Dental implants help to keep your facial muscles strong and whole.
Fully Restore The Function of Your Bite
Implants give you back 100% of your bite function because of their stability in the bone. You don’t have to worry about your restoration slipping or falling out when you are eating or speaking. Furthermore, you don’t have to readjust or replace teeth implants because their fit won’t change over time.
Almost No Diet Restrictions
You don’t have to remove any foods from your diet or adjust your diet either. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is easy. You can even bite a crisp apple using your dental implants!
Dental implants both look and feel natural. No one will be able to tell that it’s not your real teeth while you speak.
Easy Maintenance
Implants don’t require much extra maintenance. Removable options like bridges and dentures need constant maintenance, to keep them at their best. You must take them out and clean them using specific tools and cleaners.
For example, using dental adhesive for dentures can get messy and requires thorough cleaning every time. Implants don’t require much more than what you would do for your real teeth!
Discover Which Dental Implants Can Help You
We have many types of dental implant restorations available at our Vienna dental office. From single-tooth implants to full-arch bridges, there is an option for everyone.
Single Dental Implant
If you are missing one tooth, we will replace it using a single dental implant and a custom dental crown. The implant consists of a titanium post that a dentist surgically places into the jaw. Once your mouth heals, the dentist secures a prosthetic crown to the abutment on top of the post.
We craft each crown so that it’s specific to your smile. The crown’s size, shape, and shade will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth. The implant fills gaps in your mouth to enhance your appearance after tooth loss. This can bring renewed self-esteem to a patient that can carry over into other aspects of their life.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
If you are missing many consecutive teeth, we recommend a fixed bridge that two dental implants support on each end. An implant-supported dental bridge is an ideal tooth replacement solution for patients missing three or more teeth in a row. The fixture uses two titanium posts: one for each end of the bridge prosthetic.
The implant-supported bridge will give you the benefits of many dental implants, but without paying for them individually.
An implant-supported bridge also avoids putting pressure and stress on supportive anchor teeth. Natural tooth enamel wears down faster and is susceptible to disease and damage. But implants don’t have that problem.
All-on-Four Dental Implant
Dr. Gerald can provide an implant-supported denture for a full arch of missing teeth. We may place as few as four dental implants to support a full fixed denture and prosthetic teeth. We call this procedure the All-on-four implant process.
All-on-Four dental implants replaces an entire arch of missing teeth. Patients may receive this type of implant on both the bottom and top arches if necessary.
Again, you get the benefits of dental implants without having to pay for an individual implant for each tooth. You get better bite function and don’t have the worries that come with a removable restoration.
Dental Implant FAQs
Implants provide relief for individuals who are unable to eat or speak normally after losing teeth. These patients can feel confident in their renewed abilities because dental implants offer a lifetime of benefits. Learn more about dental implants, the treatment process, aftercare and more below.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
You will need to meet a few requirements before we can move forward with dental implants. First, you must have enough healthy bone structure to support the implants.
We will refer you to an oral surgeon for a bone graft if you do not have enough in your jaw. The bone graft needs to heal completely before we can start the implant process. You also must be in good overall health to handle the process of surgery.
If you have any oral health conditions, we need to treat them before moving forward with the implant procedure. We will remove any broken teeth fragments in the area where you’re getting the implants. If you have gum disease, we’ll also treat that before the implant surgery. The better your oral health is, the more likely the implant process will succeed.
How long is the dental implant process?
The entire dental implant process can take six to nine months. This is because dental implants require time to fuse with the jawbone. Patients may also need tooth extraction treatment, periodontal therapy, or bone grafting treatment prior to their oral surgery. These treatments ensure that the teeth and gums are healthy enough for dental implants.
How do I care for my dental implants or implant restoration?
You can brush and floss your dental implants just like your natural teeth. Remember to schedule regular dental visits so we can keep track of your restoration. We will always make sure that your dental implants are in great shape.
If you care for your dental implants properly, they can last many years. If you ever have any problems with your dental implant or implant repair, let us know! We will provide you with the best method of treatment available at our dental practice.
Learn more about what dental implants can do for your smile at our dental office. Contact Dr. Gerald and his professional dental team at (703) 721-4796. You can also request a dental appointment on our website.
Dr. Gerald sees patients from Oakton, Tysons, Falls Church, Fairfax, Vienna, and Northern Virginia. Please let Dr. Gerald or a member of our team know if you have any questions or concerns.