Smile Bigger with Dental Implants
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 stability and strength of a natural tooth. Dental implants can reduce bone loss in the jaw and restore natural chewing function as well as normal speech.
Patients with many missing teeth or whole arches of lost teeth benefit from implants as they can secure dental bridges or dentures. Dental implants are versatile and efficient tooth replacement options for patients who want to fill the gaps in their smile. You can have the most natural-looking and functioning results using dental implants.
Are you missing one or more of your teeth? Dr. Gerald provides all types of dental implants to his patients with lost or missing teeth. Learn more about dental implants below.
Dental Implant Treatment by Matthew Gerald, DDS
The dental implant procedure begins with a thorough exam. First, Dr. Gerald will ensure that your teeth and gums are stable and free from 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 treatment.
He will refer you to a local oral surgeon for the dental implant surgery phase. This surgeon will insert the titanium implant post in the mouth’s soft tissues. Your mouth will heal over a period of three to six months and fuse with the dental implant.
Once the surgical site heals, our dentist will place an abutment on top of the post at our dental office. 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 with the best long-term option for your tooth loss.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many reasons why dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. The following are some of the benefits you can expect to see after getting dental implants from our Vienna, VA, dentist.
Provide Jawbone Support
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root, not just the crown. It actually spurs jawbone regeneration and stops the jawbone from deteriorating when the tooth root is missing. With other solutions, the jawbone continues to deteriorate the longer you’re missing the tooth root.
Prevent Premature Facial Sagging
When your jawbone is deteriorating, it prematurely ages your face. The area where the jawbone is receding starts to sag 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 intact.
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’re eating or speaking. Furthermore, you don’t have to readjust or replace teeth implants because their fit does not change.
Very Little 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 because you can bite an apple using your dental implants. Dental implants both look and feel natural. You can speak well, and no one will be able to tell that it’s not your real teeth.
Easy Maintenance
Implants don’t really require much extra maintenance. Removable options like bridges and dentures need continuous maintenance, so they’re 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!
Types of Dental Implants
There are several types of dental implant restorations available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. From single-tooth implants to full-arch bridges, there is an option for everyone. If you’re missing one tooth, we’ll replace it using a single dental implant and a custom dental crown. 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 smile.
If you’re missing many consecutive teeth, we recommend a fixed bridge that two dental implants support on each end. This implant-supported bridge will give you the benefits of having many dental implants, but without actually paying for for many individual implants.
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, while implants don’t have that problem.
We 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 adjacent teeth. 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 inconveniences that come with a removable restoration.
Dental Implant FAQs
Learn more about artificial tooth implants, the treatment process, aftercare and more below.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
There are a few requirements before we can move forward with dental implants. First, you must have enough healthy bone structure to support the implants. If you don’t, we’ll refer you to an oral surgeon for a bone graft. The bone graft needs to heal completely before we can start the implant process. You also have to 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’ll 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, and 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.
Want to know more about what dental implants can do for your smile? 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, Falls Church, Fairfax, Vienna, and Northern Virginia. Please let Dr. Gerald or a member of our team know if you have any further questions or concerns.