Are you tired of being embarrassed to smile because you’re missing teeth? More and more of our patients are choosing dental implants in Bethesda, MD, than ever before. At Bethesda Family Smiles, we value our patients and their families. Our office offers a welcoming, state-of-the-art environment that will allow you to feel comfortable and allow us to deliver quality dental services.
Every day, we help patients address complex dental concerns, such as missing teeth. In addition to dental bridges, our office offers dental implant restorations to patients who have already undergone the dental implant surgical procedure. Learn more about dental implants below.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium or zirconium post that is placed in your jawbone. It acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. A custom-made crown is then attached to the post to create a tooth that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth. You can also receive bridges or dentures supported by implants if you have multiple missing teeth.
Both patients and dentists highly recommend dental implants because they are the closest thing to natural teeth. Implants are stable, durable, and long-lasting. Although they may cost more upfront than other options, their many benefits make them well worth the investment.
The Top Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement for many reasons. The benefits of dental implants in Bethesda, MD include:
Looks and Feels Natural
They provide a strong and lasting foundation for replacement teeth, closely mimicking the function and appearance of natural teeth. For starters, it’s the only method that replaces the tooth root as well as the crown.
Supports Your Jaw
Implants keep restorations stable. The implant posts also stop the jawbone from continuing to deteriorate and spur its growth to fuse with the implant. Your dental implant looks and feels natural immediately. Our office can also provide full-arch solutions to replace all teeth on the top or bottom jaw with tooth implants.
Improves Your Bite
When you get dental implants, you don’t have to worry about your diet. You don’t need to remove any foods from your diet because dental implants give you back 100% of your bite function. The implant restoration isn’t going to slip or fall out when you’re eating or speaking, so you can feel comfortable every day.
Easy Care
You don’t have any extra maintenance with dental implants, either. With dentures, you have to take them out and clean them properly. Messy adhesive can damage the restoration if you leave it on too long. When you have dental implants, you just brush and floss them like your teeth. They’re permanent, and you never have to take them out. The restoration also does not irritate your gums, either.
Before and after dental implants at Bethesda Family Smiles
The Dental Implant Procedure
While living with missing teeth can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, dental implant surgery is a mostly comfortable procedure. It is minimally invasive and leaves most patients with minimal post-procedural discomfort. Here’s what you can expect during the dental implant process at Bethesda Family Smiles.
1. First Appointment
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Khanna. She will discuss your options for your missing or damaged tooth. Dr. Khanna will also determine if you need pretreatment for gum disease, tooth decay, or bone loss.
2. Pretreatment
If you are getting an implant to replace a damaged tooth, Dr. Khanna will need to remove that tooth first. In some cases, patients need extra bone where they are missing a tooth. A bone graft is the best way to do this. You may need to wait up to 3 months for your gums and jaw to heal before the implant can be placed.
3. Surgery
At this point, your implant is ready to be placed. Once the local oral surgeon has placed the implant into the jawbone, it will fuse to the bone over the next few months. This healing process is called osseointegration and keeps the implant post stable and secure.
4. Abutment Placement
After the implant has healed, you are ready to have an abutment placed. This piece will connect the implant post to your restoration. You will need several more weeks for the abutment to heal.
5. Final Restoration
Once you’re healed and your lab-made restoration is ready, you’ll return to our office. Dr. Khanna will attach your crown, bridge, or denture to the implant or implants. She will adjust it for your comfort.
After having your implant and crown placed, you should schedule regular appointments with Dr. Khanna to ensure everything heals properly. You may want to avoid hard or chewy foods for a while, but once your jaw and gums have healed, you can return to your regular diet.
How to Care For and Clean Dental Implants
Dental implants are surprisingly easy to care for and maintain. Their maintenance is much the same as caring for your natural teeth. Follow these basic oral health guidelines:
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Floss at least once daily
- Seek treatment for any tooth-grinding or clenching habit
- Attend regular professional check-ups and cleanings
Dental Implant FAQs
Read answers to common patient questions about dental implants in Bethesda, MD.
What is the difference between dental implants and dental bridges?
Dental bridges require the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth instead of a missing tooth. On the other hand, a dental implant gets its support from a titanium post that an oral surgeon implants. The titanium post fuses with your jawbone, protecting your soft tissues. While both options will effectively restore your smile following tooth loss, dental implants provide many benefits you won’t find in other restorative dentistry options.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are the premier option for tooth replacement. Your soft tissues secure the implants and give your restoration tooth root functionality. Because we surgically implant a supportive titanium post into your jawbone and allow it to fuse with your bone structure, your dental implant will become a fully and permanently restored tooth. This means no dietary restrictions or oral hygiene hassles.
How should I care for my dental implant?
Once your dental implant has healed, you can care for it like your natural tooth. Brush and floss at least twice a day, and schedule routine preventative care appointments with your dentist at least once every six months.
What happens if I don’t immediately replace a missing tooth with an implant?
Once you lose the tooth root, the jawbone starts deteriorating immediately. In as little as a year, the jawbone can regress enough to not support a dental implant alone. You may need a bone graft to ensure you can support an implant. This adds cost and extra time to the process.
Can my body reject dental implants?
Yes, this is always a possibility with any procedure. However, it’s extremely rare. The success rate for dental implants is around 95%- 98%. If you follow your aftercare instructions and continue caring for your oral health, your implants should last a lifetime.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
There are some requirements you have to meet to get dental implants successfully. First, you have to be in good oral and overall health. You have to be healthy enough to withstand the surgical component. We must treat anything like gum disease or remaining tooth fragments before the implant process continues. You also need to have enough healthy bone structure to support the implant. Otherwise, you may need to get a bone graft.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants can last over 20-30 years. The titanium implant post that connects to the jawbone can last a lifetime with good bone health and oral hygiene. Moreover, due to wear and tear, your oral surgeon will likely need to replace the abutment and crown that attach to the implant post in 10-15 years.
Request a Dental Implant Consultation Today
If you’re in Bethesda, Kensington, or surrounding areas and are interested in seeing if dental implants can give you the smile you want, contact Bethesda Family Smiles at 301-500-2205. You can also schedule an appointment online today.