Dental Implants – Frederick, MD

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your initial implant consultation, our dentists will examine your smile in its entirety and look at digital x-rays to get a better idea of your bone density. By getting a full view of the oral cavity and facial structure, they can better determine the course of action and formulate the proper treatment plan. If it looks as if your bone is stable, you’ll likely be given the green light for surgery; however, if not, it might be necessary for you to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift to add bone minerals to the weakened areas of your bone.

Whether you need one or multiple dental implants, or you require a full arch, we can go over the dental implant process in Frederick, cost, and any post-procedure expectations you might have.

Dental Implant Surgery

Our team is equipped to place your dental implants and see that you receive a customized, beautiful restoration all under one roof. When arriving for your dental implant placement, we will administer local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, depending on the number of implants you’ll be receiving, we will make one or more small incisions in your gums before carefully positioning each implant. Once they are put into place, your surgical sites will be closed, and you’ll be sent home to spend the next several months healing.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

While at home, your implants will need to fuse to the bone and surrounding tissue in a process known as osseointegration. Within three to six months, you’ll be fully healed, and you can return to our office to have your abutments put into place. These small metal appliances are placed on top of your implants and will connect to your restorations. 

Placement of Dental Implant Restorations

The final step in receiving dental implants is the placement of your customized restorations. Whether it is a dental crown, implant bridge, or implant dentures, your prosthetic will match the rest of your teeth and fit comfortably for a longer-lasting, beautiful smile.

Lifestyle Benefits

• Your dental implants will give you peace of mind in knowing you’ll never have to worry about them slipping or falling out. Unlike dentures that require dental adhesive to remain in place, your implant fuse with the bone and surrounding tissue, creating a stable foundation for chewing, eating, and speaking.
• You’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite foods (even the hard ones) and your hot beverage of choice. Implants do not warp or damage as easily as dentures, making eating and drinking much easier.
• You’ll exude greater confidence because of how your smile looks, allowing you to enjoy social gatherings and be comfortable in your appearance.

Health Benefits

• With dental implants in Frederick, you can enjoy greater oral health because not only are they easy to clean, but they also help to stimulate your jawbone each time you bite down or chew. Their surgical placement with the jawbone makes it possible to mimic the natural tooth root. Unlike dentures that only sit on top of the gums.
• Your implants will not irritate your soft tissues or nearby teeth because they replace a single tooth structure. Dentures can cause oral sores because of changes in your facial shape over time.
• You’ll reduce your risk for serious overall health problems by replacing your missing teeth with dental implants. Osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are all possible outcomes for individuals without teeth or those with alternative forms of tooth replacement.
• Maintaining your implants is much easier because they act just like regular teeth. You’ll never need to remove them to clean them, and you won’t need to worry about soaking them at night. Your implants will remain firmly in your mouth.

Long-Term Benefits

• Dental implants allow you to enjoy a longer-lasting smile. How long? They are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance!
• By having a trusted implant dentist in Frederick place your dental implants, there is a 98% success rate, which is why they are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
• If you want to save money in the long run, dental implants are the way to go. While their initial investment is costlier than other options, you’ll never need to have them relined or replaced, and you don’t have to worry about buying dental adhesives or cleaning solutions to maintain your new smile.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

The most important thing to remember is that even if you don’t think you will qualify for dental implants, it’s best to let our team of professionals decide. Only after evaluating your oral cavity and facial structure using advanced dental technology will we be able to determine if the current state of your oral health is in good enough shape to support implants and a customized restoration.

During your initial consultation, we will be asking the following questions:

• Are you healthy enough for minor oral surgery? It is necessary that you do not possess signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or are immunocompromised. The reason is that a weakened immune system can cause dental implants in Frederick to fail. Also, gum disease and decay can wreak havoc on your natural teeth and gum tissue, both of which can negatively impact your prosthetics.
• How strong is your jawbone? The jawbone is a crucial aspect of successful implant placement. Your posts need something durable and firm to fuse to. If areas are weak and deteriorating, your implants will ultimately fail. Should there not be enough density within the jawbone, we will need to perform a bone graft or sinus lift depending on the location of the missing teeth.
• Are you committed to proper oral hygiene? Knowing how to properly care for your regular teeth and dental implants is the only way you can safeguard against potential implant failure later on. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, and keeping your regular dental checkups and cleanings are necessary if you want to enjoy a healthier, longer-lasting smile.

Traditional dentures and fixed bridges are reliable options for tooth replacement, but if you want something more stable, permanent, and can last a lifetime, it’s time to consider dental implants. Their versatility makes it possible for them to address various types of tooth loss, such as:

Missing 1 Tooth

Instead of relying on your healthy teeth to serve as anchors, the process of placing dental implants, no matter how many are needed, does not require altering your natural teeth. This is a welcomed reality for many individuals. With an estimated 36 million people without any regular teeth in the United States, dental implants can be a viable solution that offers a chance for a fully restored smile. Using only a single titanium post, metal abutment, and customized dental crown, we can replicate the natural tooth structure from the root to the crown, giving you a more beautiful aesthetic and fully functional smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Whether it is multiple consecutive or non-consecutive missing teeth, our team at My Frederick Dentist can provide you with an implant bridge or implant partial denture depending on your needs. Lab technicians will fuse multiple dental crowns to create a prosthetic that will fit snugly over the tops of your implants, effectively restoring the look and feel of your smile. This will not only keep your natural teeth from shifting out of place and causing potential orthodontic issues later on, but it also helps you to maintain a more youthful appearance by taking away the potential risk of facial collapse.

Missing All Teeth

Whether you’re missing a large number of teeth or are just sick and tired of dealing with an unstable denture, implants can help you finally have a set of teeth you can trust. With just four to six carefully placed implants, a full denture can be secured directly to the jawbone to instantly bring back a patient’s smile and bite strength. Traditional dentures no longer need to be a harsh reality. Instead, you can replace an entire arch with a more reliable solution that offers permanence, a fuller, more vibrant appearance, and a chance to eat and speak without worrying about your prosthetic slipping or falling out.

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Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

One great benefit of dental implants is that they’re completed over the course of several months and multiple different stages. This allows you to financially prepare for each visit as they happen, which makes the overall cost of the treatment easier to manage.

For example, if you need to have bone grafting performed to expand the volume of the jaw so an implant can integrate properly, this will increase the cost of your overall treatment. The length of your implant surgery will also affect the price as needing more implants means a longer surgery. Since we keep your surgery entirely in-house, you can expect your fees to be more compact and easier to understand.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

One of the primary factors that determines how much your dental implant surgery will cost is how many titanium posts need to be placed. Depending on how many teeth you’re missing, we may decide to place one implant that secures a dental crown, two implants on either side of a bridge, or four to eight implants to attach an entire denture to the bottom or top arch of teeth. Of course, the more implants that need to be placed in order to secure the restoration, the higher the cost of the procedure. During your consultation, we’ll examine your X-rays and determine how many implants you need in order to fully restore the function and look of your smile.

Final Dental Implant Restoration

The more complex your tooth replacement is, the higher the price of your treatment will be. While single crowns are all that are need to cover a single implant, dental bridges or implant dentures will be needed to cover multiple implants placed throughout your mouth. No matter how complex your restoration is, you can expect it to look incredibly natural thanks to the ceramic materials custom-shaded to match the rest of your smile.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies don’t cover the cost of the procedure. However, it’s always worth it to contact and ask your provider directly as there are some exceptions depending on the plan you receive. If you need help with this, our team would be more than happy to assist. Some portions of your implant care can also receive coverage, including the restoration that sits on top of the implant and any preliminary treatments needed to ensure a successful outcome.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? At My Frederick Dentist, we also offer additional financing options to make your tooth replacement treatment affordable. For example, CareCredit allows you to pay for care over the span of several months, typically with little to zero interest attached. Our office is also happy to provide a free dental implant consultation, so you can learn more about dental implants entirely risk-free!

Bone Grafting

Your bones tend to break down – or resorb – in areas where they’re no longer in use, which is why the jaw loses some of its density when teeth are missing. To reverse the damage, we can transplant new bone tissue to the damaged area; this causes the jaw to start developing tissue of its own. Given enough time (which can be anywhere from three months to a year), the site of the graft will have rebuilt itself to the point where it can successfully join with and support dental implants.

Typically, we’ll use bone tissue taken from your own body, likely from the back of your jaw. However, grafting material can also come from another human donor, and in some instances, animal bone might be used. There’s even a type of synthetic graft called an alloplast. 

In some instances, we can perform implant surgery right after grafting. In general, though, you should plan on allowing several months for your mouth to recover. You’ll need to take care of your mouth for a few days after surgery; plan on eating only soft foods for a few days as well as using painkillers and ice packs to control any discomfort or swelling.

Sinus Lift

On the surface, a sinus lift is very similar to a bone graft in that new tissue is added to the jaw and helps it regain any height it has lost. There are two main differences between these procedures: first, a sinus lift is only performed on the upper jaw, and second, it moves the sinuses away from the mouth, which might be required if you’re getting implants to replace certain specific teeth.

After opening the gums, we’ll expose the thin membrane separating the sinuses from the mouth. We shall then very gently push the membrane up and away from the space where we need to work. The grafting material is added to this area in layers. After four or nine months, your mouth should fully heal, and we’ll be ready to move on with the implant process. (Note that the exact healing time will vary from person to person.)

Remember that while it’s very common for bone grafts and sinus lifts to be part of the dental implant process, they’re not always required; we may be able to simply schedule the implant surgery right away. The initial consultation at the beginning of the implant process is important for determining which procedures are necessary.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

The most important thing to remember after your surgery is complete is to not bother your surgical sites. It is necessary for blood clots to form within the sockets, as this encourages proper healing. Failing to do so can increase your risk of a dry socket, which can be painful and problematic. To avoid this, make sure that you:

• Avoid spitting or sipping through a straw
• Do not smoke for several days (it’s best if you can quit before surgery)
• Do not poke or prod your surgical sites with your tongue or finger
• Use tissues to remove excessive saliva from your mouth

Common Side Effects

Although it may not seem normal, there are certain side effects that you do not need to be worried about. For the first few days after implant placement, you can expect:

• Minimal bleeding that will come and go. You can reduce the amount by applying gentle pressure and using clean gauze.
• Some swelling for a few days or up to one week. A cold compress can help reduce inflammation.
• Mild discomfort that can be managed with an OTC pain medication.

Diet

In the days following your procedure, you’ll need to stick to eating soft foods, as applying too much pressure to your surgical sites can cause them to bleed and put you at risk of developing a dry socket. As part of this initial healing process, feel free to eat:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Pasta
• Oatmeal
• Warm soup
• Ice cream
• Pudding

After some time has passed (each person is different), you can begin to incorporate denser foods. This timeframe will be based on how you feel and how well your implants, jawbone, and gums are healing. Even during this time, you should minimize the amount of chewing performed on the side of your mouth with the implants.

Health & Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean during recovery is essential, which is why we recommend that you brush your teeth as usual and floss the day after your surgery. You will, however, need to be careful when nearing your surgical sites to avoid irritation or dislodging the blood clots. You can also rinse your mouth multiple times each day with a warm saltwater rinse or a prescription mouthwash. Do not use any mouthwashes that contain alcohol, though.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your recovery is complete, you will receive your new crown, bridge, or denture, which will be attached to the tops of your implants. While it is possible to experience some mild sensitivity within your gums, this is only temporary and can be managed with pain medication.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

You’re probably already well aware of how important it is to brush and floss every day to get rid of harmful bacteria and food particles. Some people mistakenly believe they don’t have to worry about brushing implant restorations because they don’t get cavities. But while tooth decay can’t affect implants, gum disease certainly can; an infection of the gums leads to bone loss and can cause the implant posts to come loose. In other words, a good oral hygiene routine is more important than ever once you’ve made an investment in implants.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Sugar and starch are often prime culprits when it comes to gum disease. Bacteria eat these substances and turn them into acids that can destroy gum and bone tissue. A sweet treat every once in a while shouldn’t be a problem, but if you want to actively create an oral environment where implants can thrive, your diet should mainly consist of fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts of vitamin C or fat-free dairy products that are rich in calcium.

Break Bad Habits

There are many things you should not do if you don’t want to break your implants or lose them to an infection:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco products at all, as this makes the mouth more vulnerable to infection.
• Do not bite on your nails or chew on pen tips, as this can gradually wear down your implants and the restoration(s) they support.
• Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages or jars. This can very easily lead to dental injury.
• Do not chew ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods that could damage implants.

Protect Your Dental Implants

You put your teeth and implants at risk whenever you head out onto the field to play your favorite sport without any oral protection. Make sure you have a custom-fitted mouthguard for such activities so that you’re protected in case of an accident. You can also wear a mouthguard at night so that you don’t damage your implant with unconscious clenching or grinding.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

A professional eye can check for signs of implant failure in the earliest stages. Don’t forget to visit our office every six months for your regular dental checkups and cleanings; a little prevention can save you time and money later.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The truth is most dental implant placements involve significantly less pain than a tooth extraction. In fact, many patients tell us how surprised they were with how little discomfort they had! We’ll make sure to use plenty of anesthetic to numb you up during your procedure. As with any oral surgery, though, you can expect to deal with some minor soreness and swelling after your implant has been placed. More often than not, this can be alleviated by applying a cold compress and taking your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.

How Long Will It Take for My Dental Implants to Heal?

While every patient is different, it takes three to six months on average. Healing time takes so long because your jawbone will actually grow around the implant until your implant is essentially a part of you. If you need any preliminary procedures, like a sinus lift or a bone graft, your total treatment time could be extended by a few more months. Ultimately, it will be worth it to have a completely lifelike smile that stands the test of time.

What Is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?

Dental implants have been successfully placed since at least the 1960s. With ever-improving technological advancements and incredibly durable materials, dental implants in Frederick have a success rate of more than 95%, even after decades of use. 

What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?

While implants do have a 95% success rate, that means they fail a small portion of the time. This most often occurs in the few months after implant placement, when the post fails to fully integrate with the jawbone. This is why excellent oral hygiene is imperative. Otherwise, an infection could arise that could cause your body to reject the implant. Also, if you use your implant to bite too soon, it could subject it to forces that it’s not yet strong enough to withstand. However, if you take proper care of your implant with good dental hygiene and regular checkups, it should last for decades to come.

Am I Too Young or Too Old to Get Dental Implants?

The great news is that there is generally no wrong age to get dental implants. Some patients worry they might be too old, but the only way that would affect your ability to get new teeth is that the healing process may take just a bit longer. On the other hand, we typically don’t place dental implants in children, as their jawbone is still growing, and we don’t want to interfere with that development. For this reason, we usually wait until a patient is at least 18 years old to replace a missing tooth with an implant.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

One of the great benefits of dental implants is the fact that they are long-lasting – but what exactly does this mean? The lifespan of dental implants mostly depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that they last, it’s important to brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily. You should also continue to see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups every six months. When cared for properly, dental implants can last for more than 30 years! This is several times longer than traditional dentures and dental bridges.

Can I Take Dental Implants Out?

No, dental implants are fixed in the bone, so they cannot be removed by anyone other than a dental professional. However, there are some types of implant dentures that can be removed from the implants when it’s time to clean your smile. The implants themselves are intended to be permanently ingrained in your jawbone.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

For most patients in good health, dental implants are highly successful. However, if you have low jawbone density or gum disease, these issues should be addressed ahead of time to make implant surgery safer and more successful. If you have a medical condition, like cancer, diabetes, or something else that could make surgery or healing risky, we can discuss this during your consultation. Your health and safety are always our top priorities!

How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?

This will depend on how many implants you are having placed. Generally, placing a single implant takes between one and two hours. This includes the time it takes to administer anesthesia and dress you for a sterile surgical environment.