3301 Woodburn Road, Suite 311
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-828-0048
Fax: 703-649-0766
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental Implants
Dental Implants Specialist
Dental implants can create a well-functioning smile that enhances self-confidence and overall health.
Dental Implants Q & A
Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry in Annandale, Virginia
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants can provide many different benefits including:
- Preservation of the bone structure after tooth loss
- Maintaining the health of surrounding teeth and their position
- Eliminates the need for bridges and dentures
- Loose-fitting dentures can be replaced
- They work and feel like natural teeth
- Unlike bulky dentures, dental implants improve the ability to speak
- Improve the appearance of the face
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are used as a replacement of the tooth’s anchoring roots. The most common types of dental implants are a form of titanium screw that is anchored into the jawbone. This screw serves as a post in which a custom-made tooth attaches to. They mimic teeth as close to nature as possible. Dental implant restorations have 3 parts:
- Titanium, bone-integrated implant
- Implant abutment
- Implant porcelain or gold crown
What is the dental implant process like?
The process of dental implant procedures usually work in stages.
- Planning stage: The planning stage is the first, and most important step to plan the dental implant process. A carefully created treatment plan will ensure a successful outcome. Sometimes, specialized imaging is required to visualize the condition of the bone with three-dimensional viewing called Cone Beam CT scan (CBCT) to make sure the implant is placed properly.
- Implant placement: After the planning is detailed, the dental implant will be placed in the jaw bone.
- Healing: A few weeks after the procedure, the bone heals and begins to integrate around the dental implant.
- Abutment placement: After healing has made good progress and implant shows bone integration (typically 8-16 weeks after placement), the dental implant abutment will be placed to connect the dental implant and the porcelain crown.
- Porcelain or gold crown: Once the new porcelain crown is fabricated, to exact specifications, the crown is bonded to the abutment or screwed into the implant itself.
What are dental implants?
Most patients in good health are good candidates for dental implants. Even though age isn’t a factor in determining candidacy, it’s not advised for teens to receive dental implants during in their early years. The best time for a dental implant is at the time of tooth extraction, or shortly thereafter. In some cases, bone or gum grafting or additional procedures may be required for optimal results.
