Dental Implants in VA

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth roots that perform much like real tooth roots and are used to hold artificial teeth. They are surgically installed in the jawbone through a procedure known as dental implant surgery. In this procedure, tooth roots are replaced with screw-like, metal posts into which the artificial teeth are securely installed.

What Dental Implants Cost

What dental implants cost varies according to several factors, like the crown and post material, whether any other surgeries are required (like bone grafts), and whether you have endosteal implants or subperiosteal implants placed.

For help determining your potential dental implants cost and needs, call our dental office in VA today.

Is Dental Insurance Coverage Available for Dental Implants in VA?

Dental implants insurance doesn’t usually come with most plans. Your dental insurer might provide dental implants insurance coverage, however, if your dentist determines that the implants are necessary medically.

To find out the possible costs of dental implants in VA for you with and without any dental implants insurance coverage, contact us at Dental Care of Alexandria & McLean for a consultation.

The Dental Implants Procedure Step-by-Step

The specific dental implants procedure you receive will differ according to the implant type and your jawbone’s condition. Whichever dental implants procedure you receive, the basic process is similar:

1. Removing the damaged tooth
2. Preparing the jawbone (grafting if necessary)
3. Placing the dental implant
4. Letting the bone heal and grow
5. Placing the abutment
6. Placing the artificial tooth or bridge

Advantages of Affordable Dental Implants

The number one benefit of implants is the strong support your new teeth provide. Rather than wearing removable dentures, implants fuse with the bone, which heals tightly around them to secure and stabilize them in place.

If dentures don’t fit well, dental implant surgery is a viable option, as it is when bridgework fails to fit right either. It’s also an option when you don’t have enough (or any) natural tooth roots to allow for these alternative forms of tooth replacement.

Implant Types

The two most prevalent types of implants are:

• Endosteal – Endosteal implants go on or over the bone and are the safest and most prevalent type.
• Subperiosteal – Subperiosteal implants go in the jawbone and are used if either you lack sufficient bone for the other type or you don’t want such an invasive surgical procedure.

Dental Implant Procedures

There are several types of dental implants procedure, each with slightly different steps all designed to produce a similar result. Depending on what particular condition you have and what type of dental implant you choose, your periodontist will develop a custom-tailored treatment plan designed to serve your needs. Some of the most common treatment plans your dentist in VA may choose for you include:

• Single Tooth Implants – A single implant for a single tooth
• Multiple Tooth Implants – More than one implant for multiple teeth.
• Full Mouth Implants – Or an implant-supported bridge.
• Mini implants - Smaller implants for those lacking enough jawbone for regular-sized ones

How to Care for Dental Implants

Whatever type of dental implant surgery you have, you may experience certain discomforts common to oral surgery of almost any kind, like:

• Facial and gum swelling
• Implant site pain
• Mild bleeding

If any of these symptoms develop, your dentist may prescribe or recommend antibiotics or pain medications to alleviate them.

While you heal from dental implant surgery, your dentist may put you on a special diet consisting only of soft foods.

Once you’ve healed and resumed your normal diet and activities, taking care of implants is the same as taking care of regular teeth. Perform a thorough, daily dental hygiene routine that includes proper brushing and flossing, avoid bad habits like smoking or using your teeth to tear, rip, or bite anything other than food and, of course, seeing your dentist in VA regularly for follow-ups and routine checkups.

Who Are Implants Good For?

There are many answers to the question of who needs affordable dental implants, including if:

• You’ve lost one or more teeth
• Your jawbone has reached its full growth
• You don’t smoke tobacco
• Your oral tissues are healthy
• You have sufficient bone on which to stabilize the implants or are eligible for a bone graft
• You have no health conditions that will prevent the bones from healing properly
• You’re not willing or able to wear dentures
• You want your speech to improve
• You’re okay committing several months to the healing process

To discuss what affordable dental implants can offer you, call our dental office in VA now.