Dental Implants – Rockville, MD
The Modern Way to Replace Teeth
Bridges and dentures have been used for a very long time to replace teeth, but despite the benefits they offer, they simply do nothing to make up for the loss of your natural tooth roots. Dental implants serve as artificial roots for various kinds of dental restorations, which make your new smile strong, stable, and long-lasting. Are you ready to have a complete and confident smile again? Call Rockville Family Dentistry today for a consultation to discuss tooth replacement with dental implants in Rockville, MD from Dr. Modarres.
Why Choose Rockville Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Surgery Performed In-House
- Dental Team That Cares About Your Satisfaction
- Options for Making Dental Care More Affordable
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are thin screwlike posts made out of titanium. They have one key feature that differentiates them from traditional tooth replacements: they are designed to be inserted into the jaw so that they can fuse with the bone. This lets them effectively fulfill all of the functions of natural tooth roots, and they can be used to anchor a custom-made restoration into place. Rebuilding teeth from the roots up results in new ones that look, feel, and function as naturally as possible.
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
- Step 1: An initial consultation is performed. We will confirm that your mouth and jawbone are healthy enough for implants. Preliminary procedures can be scheduled and performed as needed before moving on to the next step.
- Step 2: Surgery is performed to insert the implants into the jawbone. Unlike some other dental offices, we can complete this step in-house.
- Step 3: The implant is allowed some time to join with the jawbone before we attach a connector piece called an abutment to the post.
- Step 4: Your crown, bridge, or denture will be designed and attached to the implant posts via the abutment.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Implants have several short- and long-term benefits, such as:
- Replacing any number of missing teeth and being able to retain virtually any kind of restoration
- Keeping the jaw healthy and maintaining a youthful appearance
- Creating comfortable, beautiful new smiles
- Being very easy to maintain with good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments
- Improving the biting power and chewing strength of new teeth
- Having a long lifespan of 30 years or more
- Improving confidence
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
To be considered for dental implants, you need to be missing at least one tooth. You’ll need to be in good oral health before implant surgery; if we find that you’re not currently a good candidate for the procedure, we can schedule preparatory treatments to address such issues so that implants can be placed successfully. Dental implants can be used in many different situations in conjunction with a variety of restorations depending on how many teeth you’ve lost.
Missing Single Tooth
Even a single gap that’s located where no one else can see it can pose severe oral health challenges given enough time. An implant post topped with a crown can be placed into the gap in order to fully replace the missing tooth. Unlike a traditional bridge, an implant crown will not require the removal of any natural enamel from nearby teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Dental bridges don’t have to be attached to natural teeth. They can also rest on dental implants to fill gaps left by consecutive missing teeth. An implant bridge may be recommended if you have lost anywhere from 3-5 teeth in a row. You can also get a partial implant denture if the missing teeth are in different parts of the mouth.
Missing All Teeth
If an entire arch of teeth is absent, a full denture may be required. A traditional denture rests on the gums and is designed to be removable. An implant denture, on the other hand, is anchored to a minimal number of implant posts and is typically fixed in place.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of your implants will be affected by:
- The number of preliminary treatments needed
- The number of implants required and the restoration they’ll support
- The materials used to make the implant and restoration
An estimate will be created during your initial consultation so that you aren’t caught off guard by the costs later. Remember that implants last several times longer than other tooth replacements, so while they may be more costly upfront, they’re often the better long-term investment.
The Importance of Bone & Bone Grafting
Dental implant placement relies on there being enough bone in the jaw to support the posts. However, losing teeth tends to lead to the jawbone breaking down, which means that oftentimes bone grafts have to be done before we can perform implant surgery. The tissue used to rebuild and strengthen the jaw is typically taken from elsewhere in your body, although it can also be provided by a donor if needed.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are very easy to care for. In fact, many of the most important steps for maintaining them are things that you likely already do for your natural teeth. If you’re ever unsure that you’re giving your dental implants the right kind of care, feel free to ask our team for advice. Meanwhile, here are the basics that all patients should follow to keep their dental implants as safe as possible.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
When you’re first told that you need to give your dental implants the same attention as your teeth while brushing, you may wonder what the point is. After all, your implants can’t get cavities, can they? While it’s true that tooth decay won’t be an issue for the implant posts, you still have to watch out for gum disease. If the tissue around the implants becomes inflamed due to plaque buildup, it could lead to serious issues such as implant failure. Remember to brush and floss every day to keep your re-completed smile in great shape.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Foods that contain a lot of sugar or starch will cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce more acid, leading to gum disease and other oral health issues. For the sake of your dental implants as well as your entire mouth, you should maintain a balanced, healthy diet. Avoid sugar and starch as much as possible while making sure you get plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water as well to help keep your smile clean.
Break Bad Habits
Maybe you sometimes chew on your fingernails or the end of your pen without thinking about it. Or you might find yourself using your teeth to get into a particularly troublesome package. These kinds of habits are bad for your dental implants, and if they’re left unchecked, they could do serious damage. Make a list of any bad oral habits you may have picked up and consider strategies that can help you break them, such as keeping sugar-free gum on hand for when you feel the urge to chew something.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Do you play football, soccer, basketball, or any other kind of contact sport? These activities carry a risk of damaging your dental implants and your teeth if you happen to get hit in the mouth. Wearing a mouthguard helps keep your entire smile safe. A similar oral appliance known as a nightguard may be recommended if you’re prone to bruxism (involuntary teeth grinding that often occurs at night).
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Are your dental implants still in good shape? It can be hard to tell on your own, but our team can check for problems the next time you visit our office for a dental checkup and cleaning. It’s generally recommended that you schedule a dental appointment at least twice a year; these biannual visits will give us the opportunity to make sure that your dental implants are getting the care they need.
Dental Implant FAQs
If you’re curious about dental implants in Rockville, you’re in the right place! Please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly front desk staff if you have any specific concerns. Until then, we’ve included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants below. Read on to satisfy your curiosity!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last for over 30 years with proper care, allowing you to enjoy them for potentially the rest of your life. Their lifespan will directly depend on your health and lifestyle. It’s important that you maintain daily brushing and flossing, brushing twice a day for two minutes each session and flossing once a day. It’s also vital to visit our office regularly for checkups. During these appointments, we will examine your smile and ensure that your dental implants are in good health. Keep in mind that poor lifestyle habits like tobacco use can shorten the lifespan of your implants, which is why you should quit smoking if you do.
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
No – dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, which is why they can only be removed by a professional. Implants are made of biocompatible materials that fuse to the jawbone, allowing them to become a permanent part of the body during a process called osseointegration. However, some implant dentures are designed so the denture can be removed, snapping them in and out. In this example, the dental implants themselves stay in the jawbone because they are acting as artificial tooth roots.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Many patients find out that dental implants require surgery and automatically assume that it’s painful. However, your implant dentist in Rockville will always ensure that your mouth is completely numb before beginning the procedure. Sedation is also offered, giving you a deeper sense of calm and relaxation. As a bonus, the jawbone doesn’t contain very many pain-sensing nerves, which makes the surgery much more comfortable than you may have guessed. The procedure itself is painless but there will be some slight soreness after the fact. This can be managed by following your post-op instructions carefully, which will usually include pain medication.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants come with a success rate of 95% even after 10 years, making them an incredibly predictable and reliable option. The success of your implants will depend on a few factors, including how well you take care of them, how often you visit your dentist, the diet you consume, and your lifestyle choices. Additionally, the location of your dental implants can also influence their success rate. Implants that replace molars often receive more pressure and wear compared to the front teeth because you use them to chew. This can make them slightly more likely to fail.