Our dental implants are the gold standard for replacing one or more missing teeth. An oral surgeon places a titanium post into the jawbone during dental implant treatment to replace the missing tooth root. The implant post can secure a dental crown, dentures, or bridge to replace missing teeth. Dr. Christopher Banks works with oral surgeons to provide dental implants in Washington, DC, at Dupont Dental. Dental implants are one of the restorative dentistry treatments we provide to our new and existing patients.
The Benefits of Dental Implant Treatment
Whether patients need to replace a single tooth or all their teeth, dental implants offer the same benefits. Modern implantology techniques ensure a comfortable and efficient implant process. Some of the best advantages include:
- Permanent Treatment: Traditional dentures or bridges may need frequent repairs or replacements, but implants are a long-lasting solution. Implants are made from high-quality titanium and fuse with the jawbone to replace the tooth root. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. While you may need to replace your restoration over time, your implant post will stay in place for years.
- Tooth, Gum, and Jaw Support: Once dental implant posts fuse with your bone, they provide strong support for your jawbone and gums. Implants also prevent the bone loss that can happen with other tooth replacement options. Unlike dentures, which can slip or shift, implants stay securely in place. This means you can eat, speak, and smile without worrying about your teeth moving or feeling uncomfortable.
- Natural Look and Function: Dental implants look and feel just like your natural teeth. The titanium posts fuse with your jawbone, acting like the root of a natural tooth. These posts hold your replacement teeth so you can speak clearly and chew comfortably. We work with dental labs to create crowns, bridges, and dentures that match the shape and shade of your teeth.
- Minimal Maintenance: You can easily clean your implant restoration. You just need to brush, floss, and visit our dentist regularly, just like you do with your natural teeth. We may also recommend that you use water flossers or threaded floss to clean around the implants more easily.
While it may take more time to get an implant-supported crown, bridge, or denture, many patients find the treatment worth it. Your implant restoration will help you bite, chew, and speak well. Implant restoraitons also last for years.
The Types of Dental Implants
If you’re missing a single tooth, you’ll get a single dental implant topped with a custom dental crown. It both looks and feels like a natural tooth. Since the dental crown is completely customized, it’s designed to blend in with the rest of your smile, so people can’t even tell it’s a restoration. We provide these restorations that use the support of dental implants in our Washington, DC, dental office.
Implant-Supported Crown
If you’re missing multiple teeth, there are multiple dental implant options. First, you can get a single dental implant and crown for each of your missing teeth. This is the most expensive option, but it might be the most natural look and feel you can get.
Implant Bridge
Dental implants can also support a fixed bridge. Dental implants are used as anchors on each end for the fixed restoration. In between are multiple false teeth that replace the ones that you’re missing. Fixed bridges can remain in your mouth and you’re able to take care of them like you would your natural teeth.
Implant Denture
Full-arch tooth replacement involves the use of a fixed denture. A determined number of implants are placed so that it can support the entire denture. Often, you only need 4-6 implants to support a full arch of teeth. This helps save cost. You get the perks and support of dental implants with the convenience of a denture.
Same-day implants
Also known as “teeth in a day,” this treatment provides a fast solution for missing teeth. This procedure lets you leave our office with functional, natural-looking teeth in just one visit. We place the implants and attach temporary teeth during the same appointment. It saves time and eliminates the wait of traditional implants. With same-day implants, you can quickly restore your smile and confidence.
Treatment with Dental Implants in Washington, DC
Dr. Banks works with local oral surgeons to place dental implants. He can restore the appearance of your teeth using dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. Before implant treatment, Dr. Banks will thoroughly examine your mouth so he can make the most relevant recommendation.
He may also recommend bone grafting if patients have lost enough bone tissue to support the dental prosthetics. Bone grafting places healthy bone tissue to ensure that the implant posts stay in place.
Placing the Implants
During the implant surgery, the oral surgeon places the titanium posts in the jaw bone. They will sit right beneath the gums. He will also place healing posts on the dental implants. Over three-to-six months, the bone tissue will gradually fuse with the implant posts.
Healing
This healing process is called osseointegration. Dr. Banks will take digital impressions of your mouth to create the crown, bridge, or implant-secured denture. He’ll provide a temporary restoration so that you can still use your mouth.
Final Restoration
Once your mouth fully heals, he will attach the final restoration. The implant in place of the lost tooth makes you less likely to suffer bone loss and maintain the facial structure. Today’s dental implants have a success rate of over 95%. They have the strength of natural teeth and only require regular oral hygiene for maintenance. Your new dental implants will last a lifetime with proper care.
Dental Implant FAQs
Do you want to know more? We’re here to help you. We welcome you to read answers to common questions about dental implants in Washington, D.C.
How much are dental implants?
Several factors affect the cost of dental implant treatment, including the number of implants you need, the type of implant, and your dentist’s fees. Some people may also need extra treatments, like bone grafting, which can add to the total cost.
Check if your dental insurance covers any part of the cost. Many insurance plans help pay for dental implants, but coverage varies. During your consultation, your dentist will give you a more accurate price and discuss payment options, like financing plans, to help make the cost easier to manage.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Just like your natural teeth, you can brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to clean around the implant area gently. Floss before you brush remove food particles and plaque between your teeth and around the implant. You might want to use a floss threader or an interdental brush to make it easier.
Keep up with your dental check-ups every six months. During these visits, our dentist will check your implants and overall oral health.
How does smoking impact dental implants?
If you use tobacco products during the implant process, it can increase the risk of implant failure. Smoking can slow down the healing process after getting dental implants. This means it may take longer for the implant to fuse with your jawbone, which you need for a stable bite.
Smoking can also weaken your immune system. Nicotine makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. This increases the risk of infection around the implant site. Smokers are at a higher risk for gum disease, which can damage the tissues that support your teeth and implants. Gum disease can lead to inflammation and infection, putting your implants at risk.
How do missing teeth affect the jawbone?
Tooth loss can affect your daily life. You can find it harder to eat or speak normally with gaps left by missing teeth. Missing teeth can also lead to bone loss in the jaw. The tooth root extends through the gums to the jaw and stimulates the bone.
Without the root’s presence, the bone will decay. Jawbone loss weakens your facial structure and can lead to the appearance of sagging in the face. Some tooth replacement treatments, like dentures, only replace the tooth above the gum line, which doesn’t affect bone loss in the jaw.
How can dental implants help jawbone regrowth?
Our dentist will surgically place a titanium post into your jaw during the dental implant procedure. The post simulates the absent tooth root and stimulates the jawbone again. This stops bone decay and can even encourage bone growth that tooth loss took away. The treatment is permanent, so you won’t have to worry about jawbone deterioration in the future.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Dental implants require a strong foundation in the jaw to hold the structure of the implant. If you’ve lost too much jawbone already because of missing teeth, Dr. Banks will recommend an alternative tooth replacement treatment. He may also suggest bone grafting to create a healthier dental implant base. Bone grafting uses donor bone or processed bone material to strengthen the area and create a solid base for the implant.
You must also be free of gum disease before getting implants. Gum disease can weaken the tissue and bone around the implant, which can cause it to fail. If an implant fails, it may require more treatment or oral surgery to correct the problem. Dr. Banks will carefully evaluate your oral health and recommend the safest and most effective treatment plan to help ensure long-lasting results.
Do dental implants have age restrictions?
Dental implants do not have strict age restrictions. But if the jawbone is still growing, we may wait until it’s fully developed before placing implants. There is no upper age limit for getting dental implants. Many older adults can successfully receive implants as long as they are in good health and have enough bone in their jaw to support the implant.
Are dental implants worth it?
Yes, implant dentistry is often worth it for many people. First, dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. They can improve your smile and help you feel more confident. Implants are strong and can last many years, often for a lifetime, with proper care. This makes them a good long-term investment.
With dental implants, you can eat, speak, and smile without worrying about your teeth slipping or feeling uncomfortable. They work just like natural teeth. Unlike bridges, which may require reshaping neighboring teeth, implants don’t affect your other teeth. They stand alone and do not need support from nearby teeth.
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Restore Your Missing Teeth Today
If you have one or more missing permanent teeth, our affordable dental implants in Washington, DC, can help renew your mouth. Call our office for restorative care today at (202) 946-4720. You can also request a dental appointment with Dr. Banks online.