Dental Implants in Woodbridge, VA
If you lose a tooth, it can be a traumatic experience. Whether it’s from decay, a car accident, or a fall, the reality is that it can be difficult to face up to a gap in your smile. The good news is that you can find solutions that restore your smile (and your ability to chew, speak, and bite).
Dental implants replace your teeth with an artificial crown, regardless of their position. In some cases, it may be more of a cosmetic procedure. In others, it may be necessary if you want to preserve your oral health. If you’re interested in how dental implants work and if they’re right for you, it’s important to know more about your eligibility, how long the process takes, and what it entails.
What Are Dental Implants in Woodbridge, VA?
Dental implants infuse a metal post to your jawbone to hold an artificial crown in place. Much like the roots of your tooth connect to the bone, the metal mimics the tooth’s natural structure. It’s worth noting that an implant can never fully replace a real tooth, but thanks to an implant’s design, this is the closest a patient can get.
Bridges and partial dentures are excellent alternatives if you’re not eligible for the dental implant procedure. Still, if this service is an option for you, most dentists agree that dental implants are your best choice. Implants help you chew and bite normally, eliminating any movement you may get if you have an above-gum crown, but they also help support your face and speech patterns.
Am I Eligible for Dental Implants?
This question depends on the health of your gum and jawbone. Because the metal post has to fuse with the bone, your oral health has to be strong enough to handle the pressure of the procedure. If you aren’t eligible for dental implants, you can explore a dental bridge, which will use healthy teeth to anchor and secure a crown, or partial dentures, which can restore one or several teeth.
Does Each Implant Require a Metal Post?
If you need several teeth replaced, whether two or the entire upper set, you don’t always have to have individual metal posts for each tooth. It all depends on the type of procedure you choose. Today, you can choose implants that only require a few posts to replace up to 16 teeth. If you have questions about which implant procedure is right for you, the team at Niles Dental in Woodbridge can help you sort through everything from the costs to the time commitment.
How Can I Prepare for Dental Implants?
The best way to prepare for dental implants is to search for a dentist in Woodbridge, VA who can properly evaluate your mouth and recommend the right course of treatment for you. While plenty of standardized advice exists, every dental professional will have their take on the situation. Sometimes, patients work with periodontists, ENTs, or even surgeons before they can handle the implant procedure. (However, for most patients, the preparation is fairly straightforward.)
Some dentists might be more cautious, advising you to avoid the implant procedure to reduce the odds of damage or even an outright rejection of the metal object. Others may be more willing to take risks, which can ultimately cause you more hassle than it’s worth. Ideally, you’ll work with a dentist who can explain everything so you feel comfortable with your decision.
How Does the Dental Implant Procedure Work?
The dental implant process can take months to fully complete. We’ll look at the basic steps below:
- Images: The dentist needs to evaluate not just the general health of your gums, teeth, and jaw; they’ll need to answer more detailed questions about everything from bone density to alignment. During this step, you’ll answer questions about your health and family history so the dentist has a more thorough understanding.
- Removal: If you require an extraction, you can do it via a simple or surgical procedure. In general, surgical removal is for wisdom teeth only (which wouldn’t require a dental implant), though another tooth can be impacted.
- Implant: The next step is to embed a small metal post in the jaw. Over time, the metal will fuse to the bone. Until then, you’ll wear a temporary crown so you don’t have to worry about a space in your smile. While everyone’s healing time is different, you can usually expect it to take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
- Crown: Crowns are custom-made to fit the shape and color of your regular teeth. As soon as the healing process is complete, the dentist will use an abutment to connect the crown and then secure the final artificial tooth.
Implants are generally considered safe and effective procedures, but risks are involved. While rare, you may suffer from infection, nerve damage, or sinus issues. This is why it’s important to work with a dentist with enough experience. It will be easier for them to avoid potential complications or swiftly address them in the unlikely event they should occur.
What Are the Benefits of Implants?
Most people seek implants to feel more confident when they smile. They may not realize that implants preserve your speech patterns and facial structure. The longer you live without a full set of teeth, the more likely you will notice major changes to your appearance and vocal clarity.
Plus, having a full set of teeth is simply more comfortable. You’ll find that you’ll feel back to normal again, and your mouth will be far less susceptible to damage should you take a tumble off your bike or accidentally chomp down on a popcorn kernel. Finally, dental implants can help you preserve your oral health. Gaps in your teeth allow for a higher accumulation of bacteria, and this is the case regardless of how well you brush and floss. Plus, the more space in your mouth, the more likely your other teeth will start moving over time. This doesn’t just impact your ability to brush and floss; it can put more pressure on your bite.
What Is the Recovery Period After a Dental Implant?
Recovery after an implant depends on everything from a person’s general health to the tooth’s position. However, you can generally expect minimal to moderate pain and swelling that can be managed with over-the-counter remedies. While it’s an adjustment for most patients to get used to the additions, it doesn’t take long for most people to become comfortable with the changes.
Once the site has fully healed, caring for an implant is similar to caring for your regular teeth. You’ll brush and floss at least twice a day to protect the crown and surrounding. As a general rule, you’ll also want to limit your exposure to crunchy or chewy foods as this can wear down the lifespan of the crown.
Find Dental Implants in Woodbridge, VA
Dental implants may be a common procedure, but the specifics depend on the individual patient. Whether you’re ready for the procedure now or you need an additional service or two before you’re ready, the best teams in Woodbridge can streamline it all so it’s easier to move from one phase to the next. If you’re looking for a qualified dentist in Woodbridge, VA who can help you decide whether implants are right for you, contact Niles Dental today.
