Throughout history, people have achieved full and complete smiles after losing teeth using a number of methods. If you’re missing teeth, having them replaced can improve your sense of self-confidence as well as support optimum oral function and health. Today, Ambiance Dental Spa offers you one of the latest options for tooth replacement: dental implants. Contact Ambiance Dental Spa to schedule an appointment at our dental office to discuss dental implants in Bowie, MD. Whether you have questions about dental implants or you’re ready to schedule a consultation, we look forward to giving you something to smile about!
Why Choose Ambiance Dental Spa for Dental Implants?
Works with Top Dental Specialists to Place Implants
Dental implants take the process of tooth replacement one step further by replacing not just the crown that’s visible in your smile, but the root that extends beneath your gums and attaches to your jawbone. This additional step makes all the difference when it comes to not only improving your bite force, but reducing the risk of future tooth loss. The combination of functionality, esthetics, and longevity that dental implants provide is what makes them so sought after by patients and recommended by dentist alike. If you want the closest thing to a natural tooth for your replacement, dental implants are worth taking into consideration.
The Dental Implant Process
To receive dental implants, you will first come into our dental office for a consultation. We will evaluate the condition of your oral health, the number of teeth you’re missing, and the density of your jawbone. Once we have determined that you’re a good candidate for this option, we will schedule your implant surgery with a local specialist. During surgery, small incisions will be made in your gums to access your bone. Once your implants are placed, we must let them heal for about 3 to 6 months. After they’ve completely integrated into your bone, you’ll come back into our dental office, where we will permanently place your custom-made restoration. While this process seems lengthy, it’s precisely why dental implants can last for a lifetime.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Traditional dentures and dental bridges may look realistic, but they just don’t provide the same stability and function of your natural teeth. When it comes to tooth replacements, dental implants are currently the only solution that delivers flawless, reliable results with the ability to last a lifetime. It’s no wonder they’re considered the gold standard of tooth replacement! Here are a few of the benefits of dental implants in Bowie that you can look forward to.
Day-to-Day Benefits
The freedom to eat and drink anything – A recent survey found that more than one-third of denture-wearers felt that their prosthetic limited their ability to enjoy life to the fullest. After all, dentures tend to warp when exposed to hot beverages, and they don’t restore much chewing power. Dental implant restorations maintain their shape no matter what you drink, and because they recreate your tooth roots, they also bring back almost all of your original chewing force. You’ll be able to eat and drink virtually anything you want!
Teeth that stay in place – With dental implants in Bowie, you won’t need to worry about your teeth shifting around or falling out; your new pearly whites are firmly anchored in place.
A confident smile – Your implant restorations are designed to mimic your natural teeth and complement your facial features. Once they’re in place, others shouldn’t even be able to tell that your teeth are not real!
Health Benefits
Prevention of bone loss – After a tooth falls out, the jawbone begins to deteriorate in that area. Eventually, this bone shrinkage can lead to an increased risk of further tooth loss and other oral health problems. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that stimulates the jawbone like real teeth, keeping it strong.
No gum soreness – Unlike dentures, implant restorations don’t slide around on the gums and cause irritation.
Preservation of natural teeth – To place a dental bridge, the two adjacent teeth need to be altered, leaving them weaker and more sensitive over time. Since dental implants are self-supporting, we can preserve your natural tooth structure.
Improved overall health – Studies show that people who have lost five or more teeth have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic illnesses. Dental implants function just like real teeth, so it’s reasonable to assume that they do not increase such risks.
Long-Term Benefits
Younger appearance – By stimulating your jawbone, dental implants prevent your face from taking on a sunken, wrinkled appearance. As a result, they help you maintain a youthful glow for years, even decades, to come!
Saved money – Dental implants can easily last for 30+ years, compared to the five to ten years that traditional prosthetics last. With dental implants, you’ll end up saving money that you would have spent on frequent repairs and replacements.
Easy maintenance – Making dental implants last is simple; no complicated oral hygiene routine is required. All you have to do is brush, floss, and visit your implant dentist in Bowie for checkups on a regular basis.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants utilize screws implanted into the jawbone to hold replacement teeth in place. Dr. Hightower at Ambiance Dental Spa will provide you with the dental implant restorations (the replacement teeth) once your implants have been placed. For patients in Bowie, Maryland and beyond, this can be a wonderful way to bring a broken smile back to full function. Depending on the number and location of missing teeth, we’ll recommend one of the following treatment options:
Missing One Tooth
Following the loss of a single tooth, we can use one dental implant post to replace the tooth’s root. Then, we create a custom dental crown that will be fitted over the top of the dental implant.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you’ve lost two or more teeth in a row, an implant bridge will seamlessly fill the gap in your smile. A row of fused together replacement teeth will be anchored on both sides by a dental implant. For more advanced loss of both consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth, an implant partial denture may be a better option. A gum colored base material is molded to fill the gaps in the smile and support several replacement teeth. Depending on the number and location of the missing teeth, a partial denture may be supported with two to four implant posts.
Missing All Teeth
Following complete tooth loss, we can create an implant full denture. Full dentures, like partials, are crafted using a gum colored base material to support an entire row of replacement teeth. Depending on the natural size and shape of the patient’s jawline and the materials used to craft the denture, four to six dental implant posts may be used to support the prosthetic.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Let’s face it: dental implants are costly, and for some people, the possibility of having a more stable, fully restored smile seems financially out of reach. At Ambiance Dental Spa, we know that any dental procedure requires an investment on your part. But when it comes to dental implant cost, we want to help you become more informed about the different factors that can determine how much you can expect to pay for your procedure. Only during your consultation with Dr. Hightower will you receive an accurate estimate of the cost of dental implants in Bowie, MD. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation, contact our dental office today.
What Factors Determine the Cost of Dental Implants?
The Number of Implant Posts – Because dental implants are a versatile treatment option, they can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, and even a full arch. This means if you only need one implant, the cost will be significantly less than if you were replacing all your teeth.
Pre-Implant Dental Work – If you don’t have enough bone to support the implant, Dr. Hightower might suggest a bone graft. This is a separate procedure that will add expense. The same can be said if you need gum disease therapy or any other dental work before receiving your implants.
Anesthesia or Sedation – Since dental implant placement is a surgical procedure, either local anesthesia or sedation will be administered. It’s important that you are comfortable throughout the process, and depending on your dental or medical insurance, it may cover certain types of sedation.
Customized Crowns – Similar to the number of implant posts, the number of crowns needed can affect cost. Most dental insurance plans offer coverage for at least a percentage of these tooth replacement prosthetics.
Materials Used – The materials used to craft your custom restorations, as well as those that make up the implant, are factored into the overall cost of your procedure.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
The short answer is: Yes! While the initial investment is large, the result is priceless. When determining which method of tooth replacement treatment you want to pursue, it’s important to look at the benefits of each. With dental implants, some of these benefits include:
Longevity (can last decades or a lifetime)
Stability (surgically placed into the jawbone)
Low maintenance (brushing, flossing, and rinsing will keep them clean)
Natural look and feel (customized crowns are matched to your natural tooth’s color, size, and shape)
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies will not cover the cost of dental implants. However, you might find that as part of your dental plan, some of the preparatory treatments, sedation, and custom restorations may be covered. If you are unsure about your coverage, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Ambiance Dental Spa team members who can help you navigate your plan. We’ll take the time to ensure you get the most out of your benefits.
Dental Implant FAQs
Deciding on whether or not to get any dental treatment that involves minor surgery is a big decision, so as you can imagine, our patients ask us a lot of questions! To put your mind at ease, we’ll discuss your entire treatment process in detail when you come to see us for an initial consultation. In the meantime, you’ll find our responses to some of the most common questions we receive about dental implants below.
Does getting dental implants placed hurt?
For many reasons, no. The jawbone does not have many nerve endings, plus a patient will be numbed with local anesthetic before the placement procedure begins. We also offer multiple types of sedation that can further lower a patient’s ability to register any physical discomfort. Most people describe feeling a little pressure while in the chair, but nothing that resembles pain. A little soreness is normal a few days afterward, but this can usually be easily mitigated by taking OTC medication or applying a cold compress to the area.
How long does it take to recover from dental implant surgery?
Most patients are able to resume their normal routine the day after surgery. It’s recommended that someone avoid strenuous physical activity for the first week, as this could delay healing. A little bleeding is normal and should stop after the first couple of days, and any swelling should go away after three to four days. After this initial period, it may take up to six months for the implants to fuse with the jawbone, but a patient should feel perfectly fine throughout the process.
How long does dental implant surgery take?
The length of the procedure varies depending on how many implants a patient is having placed at once. On average, a single implant requires about one to two hours, and this accounts for administering anesthesia, sterilizing the area, and actually positioning the implant within the jawbone.
How long do dental implants last?
The average lifespan of a dental implant is 30+ years, which is multiple times longer compared to traditional bridges and dentures. Like any dental restoration, implants’ durability is directly influenced by a patient’s health and lifestyle. Brushing and flossing every day, getting regular checkups, and avoiding chewing hard items that could wear down the teeth are all ways a patient can ensure the longevity of their new teeth.
Can someone be too old to get dental implants?
Thankfully, there is no upper age limit when it comes to being a good candidate for dental implants. All the patient needs to bring to the table is decent oral health, stable overall health, and an adequately strong jawbone to support the new teeth. While seniors tend to have more health issues that can complicate the dental implant process, these can usually be accounted for to guarantee a smooth and successful treatment.
