Dental Implants – Silver Spring, MD
State-of-the-Art Treatment for Tooth Loss
Do you find it hard to flash your grin because of the empty spaces where your teeth once were? Has an unreliable denture made it impossible to chew your favorite foods? Luckily, there’s a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth – dental implants. Dr. Hank Gakavian partners with a network of dental implant experts in the Silver Spring area to deliver this truly state-of-the-art treatment for tooth loss. To learn more about dental implants, continue reading below, or call our practice to set up your initial consultation!
Why Choose Dr. Hank Gakavian for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Silver Spring Dental Implant Specialists
- Friendly Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience
- Low- to No-Interest Dental Financing Available
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are unique in that they bring back the roots of the teeth below the gums instead of just the visible parts of the teeth. The implant itself is a small, cylindrical titanium rod that is positioned in the jaw during oral surgery. Titanium is biocompatible, so your jawbone grows around the implant until it becomes sturdy enough to function like a natural tooth root. At that point, Dr. Gakavian can secure a personalized dental crown, bridge, or denture on top of your implant to recreate the appearance of your smile.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Consultation – First, Dr. Gakavian needs to confirm whether you’re a good dental implant candidate.
- Surgery – To ensure your procedure is performed by someone with the utmost expertise, Dr. Gakavian will refer you to a dental implant specialist to have the posts surgically placed in your jaw.
- Healing – Over the next several months, osseointegration will occur. This is the process of the implants merging with your jawbone.
- Restoration – Once you’ve sufficiently healed, Dr. Gakavian can attach your tailor-made crown, bridge, or denture atop your implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Because dental implants integrate with your jawbone and restore the entire structure of your missing teeth, they can accomplish many things that no other tooth replacement can. For example, dental implants:
- Always stay in place and never slip
- Look and feel natural
- Restore your biting and chewing forces
- Don’t rely on your other teeth for support
- Strengthen your jawbone, preventing it from breaking down and making your face look older
- Can last for 30 years or longer on average
- Are easily maintained with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
By far the most versatile method of addressing tooth loss, dental implants can give you a complete smile no matter how many teeth you’ve lost. As long as you have great oral health, decent overall health, and a strong jawbone, chances are that you’re eligible for one of the following dental implant treatments:
Missing One Tooth
To replace a single missing tooth, the specialist places one implant in the empty space, and then we attach a dental crown on top. Compared to a dental bridge that rests on two of your natural teeth for support, a dental implant is a much healthier alternative.
Missing Multiple Teeth
We can bring back several consecutive missing teeth by securing a dental bridge onto two implants, each of which is placed at one end of the gap. This treatment combines the lifelike nature of a bridge without wearing down healthy tooth enamel. For multiple missing teeth at sporadic locations along an arch, we can often anchor a partial denture onto a series of strategically placed implants.
Missing All Teeth
In most cases, just four to eight implants are enough to hold a full denture in place without the need for messy adhesives. Implant dentures should never slip around, and they make digging into your favorite crunchy and chewy foods much easier than conventional dentures.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
No two dental implant treatments come at the exact same price. Several variables must be considered, including the number of posts you need and the type of restoration we’ll place on top of them. Keep in mind that dental implants might seem expensive at first, but in the long run, they can actually save you money. Unlike dentures and bridges that need replacement every five to ten years, dental implants can potentially last a lifetime.