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Dental Implants

Dental Implants Overview

Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and their facial contours will be preserved. Our goals are to maximize the esthetics of the final restoration and minimize any inconvenience to our patients by making the procedure comfortable and efficient. Questions about dental implants in Ashburn or Leesburg, VA? Call our office for a consultation.

Usually, when you lose a tooth, it is best for your oral health to have it replaced. Missing teeth can affect your "bite" as well as your ability to speak and chew. Their loss can increase the burden on your remaining teeth and can cause muscle pain in your jaws and headaches. And of course, losing a tooth can affect your appearance.

The good news is that, most of the time, replacing a missing tooth is not an emergency. You have time to consider what replacement option is best for you and to make an informed decision.

What is a Dental Implant?

The best way to describe a dental implant is to compare it to a real tooth. A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. The part of the tooth that you see and eat with is called the crown. Beneath the crown is the root, which anchors the tooth through the gum tissue to the jawbone. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace a tooth, we first have to replace the root. A dental implant is a surgically placed device which replaces the root structure of missing teeth. They are made of specially treated titanium which is the same material used for artificial hip and knee joints. Titanium is well accepted by the body and allows bone growth directly against the implant surface (osseointegration). Essentially, a dental implant is a new root. This titanium root is fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw, replacing the lost root of your natural tooth. Your dentist will then make a crown to replace the aesthetic and functional part of your tooth.

What are my Tooth Replacement Options?

If you are missing one or more teeth and choose to have it or them replaced, several treatment options are available.

• A "flipper" is a removable plastic tooth that is inexpensive but fragile and temporary.

• A cast partial denture also is removable but is precision cast in metal for longer service life. Wire clips help hold it in place.

• A fixed bridge is cemented into place using crowns or "caps" on the teeth adjacent to the open space for support. Crown placement usually requires removing or reducing the outer layer of the tooth. In some cases, a "Maryland" bridge, a fixed bridge that does not need crowns, is glued onto the back of the teeth adjacent to the space so that minimal tooth structure is removed.

• Full dentures or "plates" are the traditional solution for people who have lost all their teeth in one or both jaws. The success of a full denture depends upon the individual’s jaw size and shape, his or her oral habits, and his or her adaptability. Some people adapt well to full dentures, while others are not able to adapt.

• Dental implants can be used to provide support for the replacement of one tooth or all of an individual’s teeth. After years of research and clinical trials, we can now provide this option in addition to the traditional treatments just described. Implant-supported teeth can be cemented, screw-retained, or removable and can be made attractive, stable, and comfortable for almost any patient.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

A candidate could be anyone who is missing one or more teeth or anyone who may be unhappy with their dentures. Age has not been shown to be a factor that affects success although radiation therapy to the area and poorly controlled diseases such as diabetes can affect the success rate. Dental x-rays and, frequently, panoramic (or complete) x-rays of your jaws will be taken to evaluate your jawbone and to determine if it will accommodate implants. Occasionally, more detailed information is required and can be provided by special x-rays. They will help determine if additional tests or procedures are needed to place your implants properly.

Dental implants come in various shapes and sizes and have different types of surfaces. The actual implant selection will depend on a variety of factors related to your specific treatment needs and the most appropriate one(s) will be used. Once an implant has been placed in the jaw, recent advances in implant technology have dramatically reduced the healing time to between 2 to 4 months in most cases. When this initial phase of healing is completed, a support post called an abutment will be placed into the implant itself.

Occasionally this second step may be incorporated into the first step and is placed at the time of implant placement. A new crown will then be made and placed on top. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

Dental Implant Facts

• Dental implants are the most advanced tooth replacement system ever developed.
• Help preserve the jawbone to prevent the appearance of premature aging.
• Look and function like natural teeth.
• Are placed/restored in the doctors office with minimal discomfort.
• Improve comfort, appearance and speech.
• Have a 98% success rate.
• Allow you to eat the foods you love and speak, smile and laugh with confidence.
• Represent a conservative treatment option- adjacent teeth are left untouched.
• Never develop decay.
• Never require root canals.
• Can provide great stability for a lower denture.
• Can help adults of any age.
• Give patients a third set of teeth that are natural looking and very long lasting.

How are Dental Implants Placed?

The surgical procedure for dental implant placement has become predictable and comfortable. Most patients tell us the implant procedure is easier than routine tooth extraction.

Usually, the office procedure to place a dental implant takes about 30-60 minutes for one implant and no more than two or three hours for multiple implants. The placement process consists of the following steps:

• If indicated, you will be given medication such as antibiotics prior to the surgery. You may be offered sedation with nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") or intravenous medications. Then, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the areas where the implant/s will be placed.
• After you are comfortable, a small incision is made into the gum tissue, revealing the bone into which the implant will be placed.
• Using special instruments, a socket is created carefully, avoiding damage to the bone.
• The titanium implant is then inserted into the socket.
• Finally, if necessary, sutures will be used.

After the implant is placed, the area will need to heal for two to four months in most cases. How long your mouth will need to heal will be determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.

The dental work required to complete your treatment is complex. It is, however, considered more comfortable and more pleasant than conventional dental care. Frequently, most of the work can be done without even using local anesthesia.

The number of appointments and the amount of time required for each appointment is different for each patient. No two cases are exactly the same and regardless of the number of teeth replaced, the work must be completed with great precision and attention to detail.