Dental Implants – Aspen Hill, MD

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before we can proceed with dental implants, we need to make sure you’re set up for success. A consultation serves a critical purpose, allowing us to examine your mouth, confirm your eligibility, and put together a detailed and custom plan to complete your smile. During this appointment, we can answer any question you have about cost, the implant process, treatment timeline, and more.

Dental Implant Surgery

Unlike some other practices in the area, we don’t refer our patients to specialists for the placement procedure. We handle the whole process, including this highly technical and advanced surgery, right here in our office, saving you the time and trouble of working with another team. During the surgery, we’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable, and we’ll precisely position your implants so that you experience minimal issues.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Recovering from the surgery typically takes less than a week, but the more essential healing process is just beginning. In three to six months’ time, the jawbone produces new growth and surrounds the implants, giving them security and reliability. Once this process, called osseointegration, is complete, the abutments or connection pieces can be inserted.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

After the abutments are in place, we can order your custom restoration. We’ll take impressions of your upper and lower arches with our digital impression system. Instead of gag-inducing goop, we use a small device that scans the inside of your mouth, precisely and comfortably measuring everything necessary to create personalized restorations in the dental lab. Finally, when the final products are ready, we’ll bond them to your dental implants. At that point, you have a complete smile and are free to use it like the real thing!

Day-to-Day Benefits  

• The implant posts act as stable foundations for your new teeth. This means you won’t have to worry about your teeth shifting or slipping out of place – something for which dentures are notorious.
• With dental implants, you’ll enjoy a chewing power almost as strong as what you had prior to tooth loss. You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods, including crunchy vegetables and tough steak.
• Traditional dentures may warp if they’re exposed to hot beverages like coffee or tea. In contrast, your implant restoration will maintain its shape no matter what you eat or drink.
• To top our dental implants in Aspen Hill, we use custom restorations made from 100% porcelain. This allows them to completely blend in with your existing teeth, ensuring that only you and our dentists know which teeth are real!

Health Benefits

• The fewer natural teeth you have left, the greater your risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Since dental implants fill all of the functions of your natural teeth, it’s reasonable to assume that they reduce such risks.
• Dental bridges require that some enamel be removed from two of your remaining teeth, and dentures can rub against the gums, causing irritation. Dental implants are self-supporting and stay in one place, preventing these oral health issues.
• Did you know that dental implants can not only preserve the foundation of your remaining teeth, but make sure your face keeps its youthful shape over time? This is because dental implants actually prevent and reverse the jawbone loss that commonly occurs after teeth are removed.

Long-Term Benefits

• Dental implants have a success rate of more than 95%. They require very little maintenance beyond brushing and flossing them like natural teeth. You won’t have to purchase separate cleaning products like you would with conventional dentures.
• With good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your implant dentist in Aspen Hill, you can expect your dental implant to last for 30 years on average – maybe even for the rest of your life!
• Because dental implants can last so long, they can actually save you money in the long term. Yes, bridges and dentures cost less at first, but they have to be adjusted or replaced every decade or so on average, compounding their initial lower price. Dental implants, on the other hand, should just be a one-time investment.

Missing One Tooth

There’s no need to sacrifice two healthy teeth just so they can support a bridge. Instead, our team places an implant root into your jaw, then covers it with a ceramic crown, all without modifying your existing dental structures.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you want to restore nonconsecutive teeth, we can easily place implant crowns throughout the mouth. Keep in mind that a small number of roots are strong enough to support a partial denture. However, if you are missing multiple consecutive teeth, a pair of implants can be used to hold a bridge. These titanium posts are stronger and more reliable than what you’d find in a traditional bridge procedure.

Missing All Teeth

Are you missing a large number of teeth? Simply sick and tired of dealing with a denture that doesn’t stay in place? Implants offer a set of teeth that you can rely on. By using just four to six strategically placed implants, a full denture can be secured directly to the jawbone. An implant denture instantly brings back a patient’s smile as well as their biting strength.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

In some cases, gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and other preliminary treatments are necessary. While they do add to the overall cost of dental implants, it’s important to keep in mind that they also play an important role in the short- and long-term success of your new and improved tooth. The good news is that essential restorative procedures like these are often covered in part by dental insurance.

Naturally, the surgery itself will also contribute to the overall cost of dental implants in Aspen Hill. Factors, like whether you’re receiving sedation or not, will also add to the price. The good news is that we conduct every phase of dental implant treatment in-house, preventing you from spending time and money on outside referrals.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

When determining the price, it’s important to consider each part of your dental implant, including:

• The number of dental implants
• The type of restoration, like a crown, bridge, or denture
• The materials used, including zirconia or titanium
• The brand

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

In your research, you’ll likely realize that dental implants require a higher upfront investment. It’s worth noting, however, that they may end up being the best choice for your smile and your wallet in the long run. Since they are only tooth-replacement solution that replaces both the root and crown of your tooth, they provide unmatched stability and stimulate your jawbone to preserve your youthful face shape. Furthermore, they don’t require any costly upkeep – just care for them the same way you do your natural teeth!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While your dental insurance likely won’t pay for the entire procedure, there is a good chance that your provider will cover a portion of it, like the preliminary treatments or the restoration. Don’t worry – our practice is in-network with several of the nation’s leading providers, and we’d be happy to help you utilize your benefits to the fullest.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry! Our team is proud to help make the price of dental implants in Aspen Hill more affordable with:

• Flexible financing – With trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, you don’t have to pay the entire lump sum of your treatment plan upfront. Instead, you can space out your payments into manageable monthly chunks!
• An in-house membership club – Our in-house membership club allows you to bypass the annoying red tape that comes with dental insurance, like annual maximums and deductibles. Instead, you get access to essential preventive care and 15% off other popular treatments.
• Periodic special offers – We also happily extend periodic special offers, like a free dental implant consultation. Get in touch with our team to learn about our current specials.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implants are unable to get cavities themselves, but you still need to practice excellent oral hygiene. In addition to keeping your surrounding teeth healthy, sticking to a good oral hygiene routine can prevent other dental problems, like gum disease, that can cause your implants to fail. Remember to brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the amazing things about dental implants is that you don’t need to deal with any eating restrictions. This means that you can easily enjoy a full, nutritious meal without too much trouble. Just remember that enjoying too many foods that are hard, sticky, or sugary can worsen oral health. Instead, consume foods with plenty of calcium and vitamin C to keep your jawbone in good health.

Break Bad Habits

Bad habits can cause your dental implants to fail. Avoid smoking and using tobacco products immediately after your procedure, as they can slow down healing and increase your risk of infection. Don’t use your teeth as tools either. You could easily end up damaging your implant or a surrounding tooth. Instead, find a tool that can help you complete your task safely.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Your dental implants are very strong, but they aren’t indestructible. Be sure that you always wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth while playing contact sports. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about getting a nightguard to protect your implants (and natural teeth) from wear and tear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Attend your regular cleanings and checkups every six months. This way, your dentist can monitor your dental implants and keep an eye out for any issues as early on as possible. By catching problems early, we can prevent them from becoming more serious and leading to consequences.

Will Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The surgery to place dental implants will typically involve little to no pain. The jawbone doesn’t contain many nerve endings to begin with, and your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. As such, aside from some periodic pressure, you shouldn’t experience discomfort during regular implant placement. After the surgery, you may experience some soreness, which you can control with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. A cold compress can also help. The pain should be relatively mild and will normally start improving after two or three days. Call us immediately if you the pain becomes severe or persists for too long; there may be a problem with your implants.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

As long as they’re being placed by a qualified professional, dental implants can definitely be considered a safe procedure. Of course, that’s assuming that your mouth is in good health at the time of the surgery. If you have low jawbone density or gum disease, these issues will need to be taken care of, as they can affect the success rate of dental implant surgery. Also, diabetes, cancer, and other medical conditions could potentially make surgery or the healing process risky. We will discuss any precautions that will need to be taken beforehand during your initial consultation.

What Can Cause Implants to Fail?

Dental implant failure is very uncommon. However, it’s usually linked to one of two things: peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease that occurs around dental implant posts. If left alone, it can destroy the tissues holding the implant in place. Failed osseointegration means that the implant post never properly joins with the jawbone. Risk factors for implant failure can include using tobacco, chronic teeth grinding, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications. We will consider all of the relevant factors and give you tips for minimizing your risk of implant failure.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After Implant Surgery?

While your mouth is still recovering from implant surgery, stay away from any foods that require an excessive amount of chewing, do not drink any alcohol, and limit your exposure to sugary foods and beverages. Once healing is complete, you can eat virtually anything you could with natural teeth. However, chewy or sticky foods could still loosen or dislodge your implant restoration, so you should still be careful when eating them. Also, try not to bite down on nuts or ice that could damage your implants the same way they can damage your natural teeth.

Can I Take Dental Implants Out?

Dental implants in Aspen Hill are meant to replace lost teeth permanently. You cannot take them out because titanium posts are surgically placed into your jaw to support your restoration. Your bone will fuse to the posts through a process called osseointegration, providing unmatched support and stability. However, this also means only a trained dental professional can remove them. Some implant dentures are removable for easy cleaning.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants have over a 95% success rate and are proven to last for 30 years or more with the right aftercare, like brushing and flossing. Various factors affect the lifespan of a dental implant, like where it's located. Back teeth undergo more wear and tear than those in the front. Therefore, dental implants used for molars may have a slightly shorter life expectancy. The materials you choose can also affect their durability. You can get the most from your investment with good oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. Limit how often you have hard or chewy foods and cut back on sugars and starches. Avoid smoking and alcohol because both can increase your risk of complications.

What are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?

The risk of dental implant failure is less than 5%, but it's important to watch for any signs of a problem, like red, swollen, or bleeding gums. They can be symptoms of an infection called peri-implantitis, which is known to cause dental implants to fail. Contact your implant dentist in Aspen Hill right away. They can treat the infection quickly to ensure your new smile continues to thrive.

What Should I Do If My Implant is Loose?

After your jaw has fused with your dental implants, they should never feel loose. If a dental implant wiggles, you need to call your dentist immediately. Although it can be as simple as a loose restoration, it can also be a sign of dental implant failure.

Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?

There isn't an age limit for dental implants, but you can be at risk of certain complications. With age comes various medical issues and medications, which can affect your body's ability to heal and fight infections. If you take medications or have pre-existing medical conditions, you can still be a candidate for dental implants. Your dentist will learn more about your medical history during your consultation to create a safe, personalized plan to replace your lost teeth. It's not unusual for older patients to require a little prep work, like tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting.