The Complete Guide to Dental Implants

When a tooth is missing or removed, the gap needs to be filled with an implant. Here is a thorough guide on dental implants and how they work.

Oro-dental trauma occurs due to an injury to the oral cavity, mouth, or teeth. About 20% of people worldwide suffer from trauma to their teeth at some point in their lives. Without treatment, you could experience tooth loss.

Tooth loss can cause facial and psychological development complications. It could impact your quality of life, too.

Before that can happen, visit your dentist in Laurel, MD for dental implants. On the fence about getting dental implants to replace missing teeth? Read on to learn everything you need to know with this guide to dental implants today!

What Are Dental Implants?

First, let's cover the basics. What are dental implants, exactly?

Dental implants are prosthetics. They're designed to replace missing teeth that could impact the appearance of your smile. These implants are fixed into the jawbone through oral surgery.

Once the implant is put in place, you'll need to give your body a few months to heal properly. This time allows the implant to fuse with your jawbone. This fusion process (osseointegration) ensures the implant will stay in place.

Ensuring proper placement of the implant can help you experience long-term benefits and results.

Osseointegration will also allow the implant (which looks like a screw) to replace your missing tooth's root. Once the osseointegration process is complete, your dentist will use a bridge. The bridge will ensure the replacement tooth's position.

Your dentist will use a bridge if you need to replace multiple missing teeth. It's also used if you need to secure dentures into place.

If you're only missing one tooth, your dentist will place a crown over the implant instead.



Osseointegration also ensures the bone is properly stimulated. Without stimulation, your jawbone could deteriorate over time. Deterioration could cause facial sagging and other side effects.

Ideal Candidates

Consider scheduling a consultation appointment with your dentist in Laurel, MD to discuss getting dental implants. They can help you determine if this course of treatment suits your needs. They can also help you determine if you're an ideal candidate for treatment.

In order to be an ideal candidate, your dentist will first need to make sure you're healthy. Otherwise, they might not recommend oral surgery.

They'll also need to examine your gums. If you have gingivitis or severe periodontal disease, they might recommend another course of treatment.

You'll also need to have enough bone in your jawbone for the implant's placement. 

Types of Implants

During your consultation appointment, talk to your Laurel, MD dentist about the different types of implants that are available. They'll determine which type of implant best suits your needs. The type of implant they recommend can vary based on your current health.

Other criteria include your:

• Budget
• Where the missing tooth/teeth is/are located
• Personal preference
• Jawbone health

You'll likely discuss two types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal.

Endosteal implants are placed within the jawbone to ensure stimulation. Subperiosteal implants, on the other hand, rest atop the jawbone. 

Remember, your jawbone needs stimulation to ensure deterioration doesn't occur. As a result, subperiosteal implants aren't recommended too often. You'll likely experience better results if you choose an endosteal implant.

Your dentist might recommend All-on-4 implants instead. This treatment option is ideal if you're missing teeth within an arch. The All-on-4 option can ensure better stability for multiple missing teeth. 

However, you might only need anchorage for a short timeframe. Your dentist might recommend mini implants instead. After that brief period, your dentist can remove the mini implants from your teeth.

The Benefits

Before getting dental implants, talk to your Laurel dentists about the benefits of treatment. Here are a few reasons you might want to consider using implants to replace missing teeth.

A Natural Look

Your dentists will ensure your implant is designed to look and function like your natural teeth. Most people won't realize you have an implant in place. Instead, it will blend in with your existing teeth to improve the appearance of your smile.

In fact, implants are also biocompatible, ensuring your body accepts the implant as if it's one of your existing teeth. 

Stability

If there's a gap between your teeth, the surrounding teeth will begin to lean into the gap. Your teeth might begin to look crooked. The shift could change your bite, appearance, and speech.

Make sure to talk to your dentist in Laurel, MD if there's a gap in your smile. An implant can provide your teeth with the stability they're currently lacking. 

Prevent Gum Disease

When there's a gap in your smile, food particles will have new places to hide. When left unattended, plaque and tartar can form. Your risk of gum disease (gingivitis) could increase as a result.

When left untreated, periodontal disease can develop. This severe form of gum disease can cause complications. Your teeth could become loose.

You might lose more teeth, further impacting your oral health.

Before that can happen, consider missing your single missing tooth with an implant. 

Boost Self-Esteem

If there's a gap in your smile, you might not feel comfortable showing off your teeth. You could feel self-conscious in social settings, too. If you've started hiding your smile, visit your dentist.

Having an implant placed can restore your smile, improving your self-esteem. 

You'll likely find the cost of the dental implant procedure is worth these benefits, too. The cost ranges between $3,000 and $4,500 per implant. Costs can vary based on your dentist, location, and other criteria. 

Avoid Facial Sagging

Remember, your jawbone requires stimulation. A missing tooth can cause your jawbone to lose volume. Your face could begin to shrivel inward, causing wrinkles to form.



If you want to avoid bone loss, consider scheduling an appointment to get an implant placed.

Request Dental Implants From Your Dentist in Laurel, MD Today

Don't let missing teeth impact the appearance of your smile. Instead, talk to your dentist in Laurel, MD. They can help you determine if dental implants are right for you.

After getting your implant placed, you can start smiling with the utmost confidence.

Ready to schedule your visit? We can't wait to see you.

Contact us today to get started.