What do you know about dental implant procedures? Learn about their strength, safety, health benefits, and how to find a cosmetic dentist in Ashburn, VA.
Take a look at your once beautiful smile in a mirror. What's missing? If the answer is "a tooth," you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry.
Receiving a dental implant in Ashburn, VA can restore your smile. Dental implants look and function like natural teeth. The best Ashburn, VA dentists can give you a smile worth showing off!
Not sure if implant dentistry is right for you? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the procedure first!
1. What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants look like small screws. A dentist can surgically implant these artificial tooth roots into your jawbone. They're an ideal cosmetic dentistry option if you're missing a tooth.
Otherwise, a missing tooth (or multiple missing teeth) can compromise your oral and overall health. For example, you may notice a change in your ability to bite and chew food.
Failing to thoroughly chew food into smaller chunks will give your digestive system more work to do. You may start experiencing stomachaches and other issues.
If you're missing a tooth or multiple teeth, your jawbone will lack essential stimulation. Your jawbone may start degrading over time. As you lose bone volume, your face will start sinking inward.
Since the implant is surgically implanted into your jawbone, it can provide the bone with stimulation. You can avoid changes to your appearance. Dental implants are topped with crowns, which are designed to look like your natural teeth.
Talk to your cosmetic dentists in Ashburn, VA to discuss the types of implants they offer. The two most common types are endosteal ("in the bone") and subperiosteal ("on the bone") implants.
Endosteal implants are more common. They're created from body-safe materials to ensure your body doesn't reject the implant. Endosteal dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone.
Subperiosteal implants are ideal for patients who don't have enough healthy jawbone to support an endosteal implant. Instead, these implants are inserted under the gums (above or on your jawbone). They're not drilled into your jawbone.
2. Ideal Candidates
Schedule a consultation appointment with your
Ashburn, VA dentists. They'll determine if you're an ideal candidate for treatment.
You must have good overall dental health before your dental implant procedure. Ideal candidates are missing one tooth or need a tooth extracted. You'll also need to be in good general health before surgery.
Your dentist may determine you're ineligible if you:
- Are a heavy smoker
- Have a blood clotting disorder
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Are receiving active cancer treatment
- Have a metabolic bone disease
- Have gum disease
If you don't have enough jawbone to support a dental implant, your dentist may recommend another procedure first. For example, they may recommend a bone grafting procedure.
3. The Benefits
Before your procedure, talk to your dentist about the pros and cons of dental implants. They can help you determine if a different cosmetic dentistry option better suits your needs.
The top benefits of dental implants include their durability and longevity. Dental implants can last longer than alternative treatment options. They have a success rate above
97% for 10 years.
In comparison, complete dentures last an average of 10.1 years, while bridges last five to 15 years.
Dentures won't provide your jawbone with the stimulation it needs. Without proper stimulation, your body will break down and reabsorb the bone tissue.
You could lose 30% of your alveolar ridge (the part of your jawbone that contains tooth sockets) within six months.
If you lose jawbone volume, your skin will start to sag. Your cheeks will collapse inward, giving you a sunken appearance. Your bite will become misaligned.
A dental implant will also keep your adjacent teeth stable. Otherwise, the surrounding teeth will shift toward the gap. Any changes to their alignment can impact your ability to bite, chew, and speak.
If your teeth have already shifted, you may need to consider orthodontic treatment before receiving your dental implants. Once your implant is placed, you'll regain your bite force.
Dental implants look and behave like your natural teeth. You can restore your previous functionality, which can improve your quality of life.
4. The Procedure
Implant dentistry has among the highest success rates of any medical procedure. Already,
three million people in the US have dental implants. Make sure you choose an experienced dentist in Ashburn who can walk you through the procedure.
First, your dentist will need to evaluate your jawbone, teeth, and gums. They'll confirm your jawbone is healthy enough to maintain an implant.
Talk to your dentist about the type of anesthesia they'll use before the procedure. You may need someone to drive you home afterward.
If you're receiving an endosteal implant, your dentist will need to:
- Cut into your gums
- Expose your jawbone
- Drill a hole into your jawbone
- Insert the implant
Over the next few months, osseointegration will occur. This process ensures your jawbone grows around the implant to keep it secure. Osseointegration can take two to six months.
Once the area heals, your dentist can place a metal extender (the abutment). They'll later connect your crown to the abutment. You can choose between a removable or permanent replacement tooth.
The implant surgery takes
about 90 minutes. Since you need time to heal between appointments, the entire process can take six to 12 months.
5. Choose the Best Ashburn, VA Dentists
Before scheduling your dental implant procedure, look for the best cosmetic
dentists in Ashburn, VA. Choose a dentist with years of experience completing this procedure. Ask about their success rate to gauge their level of experience and expertise.
Ask to see before and after photos of the procedures they recently completed. Request reviews from patients to find a dentist Ashburn locals already trust.
Finding an experienced, qualified dentist can help you avoid complications. They can also help you maintain your implant for decades.
Request a Dental Implant in Ashburn, VA
Don't let a missing tooth affect your future. Instead, request a dental implant in Ashburn, VA. With cosmetic dentistry, you can restore your smile and grin with renewed confidence.
Ready to receive your dental implant? Our team at Simply Smiles - Family & Implant Dentistry can help.
We're dedicated to giving patients personalized attention and the high-quality care they deserve. We've helped numerous people restore their smiles with dental implants.
Contact us now to schedule your consultation appointment.
