Dental Implants in Ellicott City, MD
At the office of Jennifer Sokolosky, DMD, we’re sensitive to the gap that a missing tooth leaves in your smile and in your self-esteem. If you've lost one or more teeth due to tooth decay, injury, or disease, dental implant treatment can restore your smile, your oral health, and your confidence in your appearance.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are implant posts made from strong titanium — the same material widely used in surgery and readily accepted by the body. Titanium is often used in surgery and is readily accepted by the body.
These natural tooth roots made of titanium are surgically placed in your gum and bond with your jawbone over a period of months. When bonding is complete, these sturdy posts are ready to host a new life-like dental crown or other dental implant restorations.
Why is the dental implant procedure called the gold standard in tooth replacement?
Dental implants stand apart from traditional tooth replacement options like dental bridges or ill-fitting dentures because they replace the entire structure of a missing tooth — root and all. Unlike dental bridges, which rely on surrounding teeth for support, a dental implant functions independently.
Dental implants stimulate the jaw bone, helping to prevent bone loss and jawbone deterioration that naturally occurs after tooth loss. This makes choosing dental implants one of the best long-term investments in your dental health.
Are dental implants right for me?
Most patients with missing teeth are good candidates for dental implant surgery. However, successful placement during the dental implant process requires adequate jawbone density and good oral health. Patients with gum disease may require gum disease therapy before proceeding. In some cases, bone grafting may be recommended to support dental implants where bone loss has occurred.
Dr. Sokolosky will review your dental history, medical history, and oral hygiene habits during your initial dental implant consultation at our Ellicott City office. This allows her to develop a personalized treatment plan and determine whether implants in Ellicott City are the best tooth replacement solution for you.
How do dental implants work?
A dental implant is a stand-alone replacement tooth that looks and feels natural. The implant is a small titanium post that we surgically insert within the jaw bone beneath your gum line, where the natural tooth roots used to be. Before placement, the dental implant is prepared so that bone tissue cells in your jawbone surround and attach to it. This process is called osseointegration.
After the titanium root has completed the healing process and integrated with the jaw, we cap it with a sturdy, natural-looking dental crown or restoration. The implant acts as a replacement tooth that blends seamlessly with your existing smile. Whatever your tooth replacement issue, advanced dental implant procedures can probably help:
- If you're missing only one tooth, a single tooth implant will be sufficient
- If multiple teeth are missing, multiple implants strategically placed can be used to support dental implants in the form of implant supported bridges
- If you've lost all your teeth, we can permanently anchor a full denture — addressing the problem of ill fitting dentures — with four to six strategically placed dental implants in Ellicott City
What if I have multiple missing teeth?
Our implant dentist can provide same-day, implant-supported dentures as part of our implant dentistry services. This means dental implant placement and denture placement in one sitting. The entire dental implant process always starts with an assessment in our dental office.
If you're a good candidate for implant-supported dentures, the next step is preparing your gum tissue for dental implants and placing your new teeth. Mini implants may also be an option depending on your bone density and individual needs. Imagine a thin post being sturdy enough to support a brand new smile!
Will my same-day, implant-supported dentures look natural?
Our implant dentist relies on the latest technologies and quality materials to ensure that your dental implant restorations are natural looking and functional. When you choose same-day implant dentures in our Ellicott City, MD dental office, you are joining a long list of satisfied patients who can't stop smiling.
Will my implant-supported dentures feel natural?
Because dental implants are below the gum line, the only thing you will feel inside your mouth is a new smile — not the discomfort of ill fitting dentures. Dental implants offer a permanent solution that feels as close to natural teeth as modern dentistry allows.
How do I care for my dental implants or implant-supported dentures?
After your dental implant has healed and the restoration is complete, proper care is essential for long-term implant success. Maintaining good oral hygiene is the foundation — teeth with dental implants need to be brushed and flossed as part of your routine for good oral hygiene at least twice per day.
You should schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings on a semi-annual basis. Just like your natural teeth, the better you practice proper oral hygiene, the longer your dental implants will last. Keep in mind that dental implants cannot protect you from gum disease, gum infections, or dental emergencies that can cause implant failure.
Patients with a history of gum disease should discuss gum disease therapy and long-term maintenance with Dr. Sokolosky to protect their investment and maintain excellent dental health.
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The Benefits & Importance of Dental Implants
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