Dental Implants Rockville, MD
What are dental implants?
A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown.
If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw.
The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.
Surgical Advances in Dental Implants
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Mistry is able to place single-stage implants.
These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed.
There are even situations where the implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth extraction – further minimizing your number of surgical procedures.
Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Dr. Mistry performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
“Don’t be afraid to Smile.”
For years I’d felt like a part of my body was missing — because my teeth were. My dentist told me that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.
Are You Ready to Discover Your Radiant Smile?
Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment to reclaim your smile today!
Dental Implants FAQ
Table of Contents
- What is a dental implant made of?
- How long do dental implants last?
- How long do ceramic implants last?
- Which is better zirconia or titanium implants?
What is a dental implant made of?
The majority of dental implants on the market are made of commercially-pure Titanium.
This is a largely non-magnetic metal, so no need to worry about metal detectors! More recently has been the advent of ceramic dental implants however their uses remain more limited.
How long do dental implants last?
It’s best to think of dental implants like teeth.
If you take exceptional care of them they can last an entire lifetime; if you neglect them, they may only last a few years.
Proper maintenance and cleaning and very important to dental implants. While they cannot get cavities/decay, they are just as susceptible to gum disease as teeth are.
How long do ceramic implants last?
Ceramic dental implants are relatively new to the market and do not have the long, proven track record of titanium dental implants.
That being said, most studies thus far show little difference in the long-term success of the two
Which is better zirconia or titanium implants?
For the majority of patients and cases, titanium implants are the correct choice.
This is because titanium implants are much more versatile with their connection to the crown.
While Zirconia implants have an edge in esthetics and tissue irritation, titanium implants have a much longer track record and usually require less “integration” time.
