Dental Implants are a useful treatment option for missing teeth replacement. They have been around for decades, but have only recently become more popular as a viable and effective alternative to traditional dentures and dental bridges. A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically insert into the jawbone below the gum line. It bonds with the natural bone over time. Your dentist will attach an artificial tooth to the top of the post, anchoring it in place in your mouth. This anchor tooth will look, feel, and function like a normal tooth when you bite down on it.
Dental implants are an innovative, long-lasting solution. We use them to address the restorative needs of patients missing one or more teeth. They offer patients the most life-like option for restoring their smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a great alternative to dentures and partial dentures because they look more like natural teeth than other tooth replacement options. They last longer than other tooth replacement options because your dentist anchors them into your jawbone, making them nearly impossible to dislodge.
This restoration consists of three parts: a titanium post, an abutment, and a dental prosthesis. The dentist chooses the dental prosthesis or final restoration with your approval. It is dependent on the number of missing teeth, the condition of your oral health, and the location of the missing teeth. Dental implants may be used to secure dental crowns, dentures, or dental bridges.
Dental implants remain one of the highest-rated tooth replacement solutions amongst patients today and offer natural-looking, long-lasting results for patients seeking to restore their smiles. As one of the leading tooth replacement solutions, dental implants offer patients a variety of benefits.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Help maintain proper chewing function.
- Stimulate bone growth in the jaw.
- Help prevent facial sagging as a result of missing teeth.
- Provide a more secure foundation for a dental crown, bridge, or denture.
Dr. Justin Deckard performs all aspects of the dental implant procedure in our Washington, DC dentist office. Dr. Deckard utilizes the Sirona CBCT to aid in implant placement. State-of-the-art dental technology provides more detail. Thus allowing Dr. Deckard to create a more precise treatment plan that is specially tailored to meet your dental needs.
The Dental Implant Process in Washington, D.C.
Receiving dental implants is a multi-step process. To prepare for the dental implant procedure, we will numb the implant site to ensure the patient is comfortable throughout their visit. During your dental implant surgery, we will insert the titanium post into the jawbone. If you do not have enough bone density to support implants, then you may need a bone graft before implant placement.
During the process of osseointegration, the titanium post fuses with the jawbone to create a stable foundation to support the final dental prosthesis. Typically, osseointegration takes about 3 to 6 months to complete.
After the healing process, we will have you visit again to attach the abutment to the titanium post. The abutment is the connector between the post and the final prosthesis (most likely a crown). Once we place the abutment, we will attach the final prosthesis to the abutment. Depending on your needs, the final prosthesis may be a dental crown, denture, or dental bridge.
- Implant-secured dental crowns replace one or more missing teeth.
- All-on-four dentures (implant-supported dentures) replace the top, bottom, or both full arches of missing teeth.
- Implant-secured dental bridges replace several consecutive missing teeth.
In the end, patients will leave feeling more confident and secure with their new smiles. To ensure your implant lasts, you must take proper care of your oral health. Practice healthy oral hygiene habits and visit our dental office for routine dental care.
Sirona CBCT
We are committed to providing our patients with the highest standard of dental care. With the Sirona CBCT, Dr. Deckard can produce high-quality images of both the soft and hard tissue. Utilizing Sirona CBCT technology provides patients with a less invasive, more precise solution for placing dental implants. Dr. Deckard uses CBCT technology to construct and plan out the dental implant procedure. With advanced technology, Dr. Deckard can assess bone density and quality, plan the entire procedure, and take accurate molds and impressions.
Dr. Deckard can identify and analyze critical structures in the oral cavity, allowing for the proper placement of dental implants. Incorporating Sirona CBCT technology into the treatment planning phase allows for accurate placement of dental implants, predictable results, and treatment that meets each patient’s needs.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
People that are considering treatment for replacing missing teeth with dental implants often come to the dentist with a lot of anxiety and fear. Some worry that the dental implant is going to fall out of their mouth. An implant will never fall out, but you must take care of it in order to keep it healthy.
Dental implants have been around for decades, and are a common procedure. One of the biggest issues surrounding dental implants is the fear that they will fall out of your mouth. There has been a lot of debate on whether or not this is true. Millions of people have had dental implants, but there has been no data to support claims that they fall out.
One of the biggest issues is the lack of evidence. However, a recent study was done on 5,200 patients who got dental implants between June 2008 to April 2015. It found that less than 3% had an implant failure. The results conclude and prove that dental implants have a success rate of 95% or higher.
FAQs
Can I get dental implants in one day?
In most cases, obtaining dental implants requires an extended period of time to complete. This is because the process of osseointegration, or bone growth around the implant, takes several weeks to complete fully. Your dentist will discuss the expected timeframe between the placement of the dental implants and their restoration.
How many dental implants can I receive at once?
Receiving a single implant in one day is standard. However, the healing process can take weeks or sometimes months. In most cases, you will need multiple visits over several weeks or months to complete the placement of all dental implants. However, some dental providers offer all-on-four dental implants to hold complete dentures in place. These take a single appointment with proper anesthetics and sedation to place.
Will my dental implants look natural?
Yes, your dental implants will look and feel natural in most cases. Your dentist can customize the crowns’ size, shape, and color on top of the implants to match your existing teeth perfectly. You should not be able to tell that they are not your natural teeth. These implants also function just like natural teeth, making them an ideal alternative to dental bridges or partial dentures.
Are dental implants a permanent solution for tooth loss?
Yes. Dental implants are both a reliable and long-lasting solution for tooth replacement. With proper attention and maintenance, your dental implants can last a lifetime. Your dentist can provide detailed instructions on how to best care for your dental implants. Regular check-ups and cleanings for your implants can keep them looking and functioning properly.
How painful is getting a dental implant?
Most people do not experience significant pain when getting a dental implant. Your dentist will provide you with local anesthetics and sedation to ensure you are comfortable. Some mild discomfort is possible after the procedure. But you can manage this effectively with over-the-counter pain medications. Your dentist will discuss any potential side effects or complications, so you fully understand the process of implantation and restoration.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
The success rate of dental implants is typically very high. Most studies have found that the success rate is around 98%. With proper care, your implants should last a lifetime and provide solid and natural-looking teeth.
Schedule Consultation for Dental Implants in Washington, DC
No one wants to lose their teeth, but it’s a fact of life that we will all face some form of tooth loss at some point during our lives. It’s even more likely if you have had fillings in your mouth for a long time, or if you smoke or drink heavily. When you have missing teeth, there are a few options you can choose from to replace them. One of the most popular is dental implants.
If you need an implant dentist in your area, restorative dentist Dr. Deckard offers complete dental implant services. Discover if dental implants are right for your smile! Visit DC Precision Dentistry by requesting an appointment online, or call (202) 851-7554 today.