Our dental implants are the gold standard for replacing one or more missing teeth. During dental implant placement, an oral surgeon places a titanium post into the jawbone to replace the missing tooth root. The implant post can secure a dental crown, dentures, or bridge to replace your missing teeth.
Dr. Christopher Banks works with oral surgeons to provide dental implants at Dupont Dental in Northwest Washington, DC. 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. Some of the best advantages include:
- Permanence: Dentures, bridges, and other restorative procedures can need additional restorations or replacements over time. However, dental implants are a permanent solution that lasts a lifetime with proper care. The high-quality titanium and the fact that implant fixtures fuse with the jawbone ensure they are permanent.
- Support: Dental implants prevent the recession of the bone and gums that can occur with other tooth replacement options. Dental implants provide robust and durable jawbone support. You can enjoy normal eating and speaking without worrying about restorations like dentures slipping or bridges suffering damage.
- Natural Look and Function: The titanium implant posts are biocompatible, fusing with the jawbone like a natural tooth root. The posts secure the natural-looking crown, bridge, or dentures and enable normal speaking, biting, and chewing.
- Minimal Maintenance: Maintaining dental implants is as easy as cleaning your natural teeth. Implants can last for many years with routine oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and exams.
Those are just a few benefits you can look forward to. The results you get after the procedure will leave you speechless while your confidence soars.
The Types of Dental Implants
There are multiple ways to get 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.
If you’re missing multiple teeth, there are multiple dental implant options. First, you’re able to get a single dental implant and crown for each one of your missing teeth. This is definitely the most expensive option, but might be the most natural look and feel that you’re able to get.
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.
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.
Getting 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 makes 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.
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.
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 will provide a temporary restoration so that you can still use your mouth. Once your mouth fully heals, he will attach the final restoration.
With the implant in place of the lost tooth, you’re 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
Patients with missing teeth can find effective, permanent tooth replacement treatment with dental implants. Dental implants can restore your oral health and enhance the appearance of your mouth. Dental implants can also stop the deterioration of bone in the jaw and even stimulate bone regrowth.
How do missing teeth affect the jawbone?
Tooth loss can affect your daily life, making it more difficult to eat or speak normally. 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 does not affect bone loss in the jaw.
How can dental implants help Jawbone regrowth?
Your 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 will not 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 lost too much jawbone already because of missing teeth, you might not be able to get dental implants. If this is the case, our dentist might recommend an alternative tooth replacement treatment. We may also suggest a bone graft to create a more healthy base for the dental implants.
You must also be free of gum disease. Unhealthy gums can compromise the results and cause your dental implants to fail. Failure will require extensive oral surgery to fix.
Restore Your Missing Teeth Today
If you have one or more missing permanent teeth, our affordable dental implants 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.