Dental Implant FAQs Straight From an Expert
Read answers to FAQs about dental implants in our Washington, DC office to discover more about this restorative treatment:
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Most people are good candidates for dental implants. Age is usually not a factor. Although, we do not recommend children get implants. Dr. Justin Deckard of D.C. Precision Dentistry, located in Washington, D.C., will evaluate the condition of your oral health to look for the critical elements of the necessary foundation for placing implants. These include healthy gum tissue and enough stable bone structure in the jaw to support the posts.
What if I do not have enough stable bone structure to get implants?
Dr. Deckard will assess your jaw bone density and quality. He can perform bone grafting to create a stable foundation for dental implant(s). This will require healing time and will lengthen the overall time it takes to complete the dental implant(s) process. Bone grafting is an excellent option for patients who otherwise may have to choose another replacement.
What is the process like to get dental implants?
The process differs for every implant patient since no two cases are identical. Many patients will require pre-treatments before they can get implants. Once they are in place, you must let them heal and fuse with the surrounding bone. This process is known as osseointegration.
Once healed, a small piece called an abutment is attached to the implant. The last step is to secure the dental restoration to the implant(s). Generally speaking, the process could take six to nine months to complete. If you need pre-treatments, it could take considerably longer.
What type of dental implant-secured restoration will I need?
This will depend on how many teeth you are missing and their location. If you only miss a single tooth, it will be replaced with an implant-supported dental crown. If you are missing several consecutive teeth, we can replace them with an implant-supported dental bridge. We can replace an entire arch of missing teeth with an implant-supported denture.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are made to last a lifetime. However, they rely on the patient practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist’s office for routine dental care. This allows our team to monitor the health and stability of the implant or implant-supported appliance.
Are dental implants safe?
Yes, dental implants are safe. Implants use biocompatible materials, which means they are non-toxic. Dental implants are safe for patients and the environment. The dental implants will easily fuse with the jaw bone with these high-quality materials, with a low chance of failure.
Why choose D.C. Precision Dentistry for dental implants?
Dr. Deckard is a knowledgeable restorative dentist who stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in implant dentistry. He performs all phases of the implant process at his Washington, D.C., dentist’s office.
This will save the patient time and the stress of traveling to multiple specialty practices. He also utilizes the Sirona CBCT technology for less invasive and more precise placement of dental implants.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
D.C. Precision Dentistry accepts several types of dental insurance. Some parts of the dental implant treatment may qualify for coverage, but this will depend on your plan type.
As a courtesy to our patients, we will file your insurance claim and then present you with the estimated cost of your procedures. We accept cash, checks, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA dollars for your convenience. Our office also accepts treatment financing through CareCredit.
Do You Have More Questions?
Contact D.C Precision Dentistry if you have additional implant questions. Call Dr. Deckard at (202) 851-7554 or request a dental appointment online.
Learn More About Dental Implants