Patient Education - Implants

Dental Implants: A Better Treatment Option

Dental implants are safe, medically proven, esthetic alternative to traditional crowns, bridgework, and dentures. Because implant restorations look and feel just like natural teeth, they offer new levels of comfort, security and confidence over traditional treatments. For more than two decades, dental implants have been successfully replacing lost teeth and restoring a better quality of life for many people.

A dental implant is a small "anchor" made of titanium that is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. After osseointegration (when the surrounding bone has healed to the implant), a replacement tooth is secured to the top of the implant. This new tooth looks, feels and performs similar to your natural teeth.

Benefits

• Maintain Anatomy - With missing teeth, the bone begins to shrink over time. Dental implants can help prevent deterioration of the jawbone so your face retains its natural shape.
  
  
• Keeping your Healthy Teeth - A better long-term alternative to bridgework, dental implants eliminate the need to involve healthy teeth.
  
  
• Painless. Worry-free. Secure. - Dental implants are securely anchored, eliminating any slipping or movement. You can smile and eat with confidence.

The Implant Procedure

The dental implant process involves several steps that take place over a time period that averages from 4 to 9 months. The typical process will include:

• Pre-treatment Consultation - After a careful evaluation of your dental and medical health history to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants, a full treatment program will be outlined for you. You will then have a thorough consultation with a surgical specialist before your treatment begins.
  
  
• Initial Implant Placement - The dental implant is placed into your jaw while you are under either local or general anesthesia. Over the next several months, bone will heal to the surface of the implant, anchoring it into position.
  
  
• Implant Prosthetic Attachment - During this phase, we painlessly attach a prosthetic "post" to the implant. An impression will be taken, and soon after, an artificial replacement tooth will be created for a natural restoration.
  
  
• Proper Maintenance - We will guide you on the proper care and maintenance of your new implants before, during and after the procedure. By following a regular routine of careful oral hygiene and regular checkups, your implants will look, function and feel great for many years to come.

The information on these pages is not intended to replace professional advice specific to you.

Call us at (410) 574-9400 or (410) 667-4222 to set up an appointment.

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