Dental Implants

Comprehensive In-House Care

Other dentists may refer you all over town for different stages of treatment, but our doctors are able to handle every aspect of your care, including the surgical placement of implants, at our office in Fairfax, VA.

Advanced Technology

Our practice is equipped with some of the most sophisticated technology available in modern dentistry. Our advanced x-ray and imaging machines especially come in handy when planning the placement of dental implants.

Wallet-Friendly Financing

We want to make the life-changing benefits of dental implants available to as many patients as possible, so we gladly accept financing plans through CareCredit®, a third-party healthcare lender.

Planning and Preparation

During your consultation, we will use the VATECH PaX-i3D digital x-ray system to determine candidacy for dental implants and plan the surgery. With this advanced imaging software, we can more accurately determine optimal placement of your implants. This can also show us if you are lacking necessary bone density. If so, we may recommend a bone graft or sinus lift to reverse bone loss.

Implant Surgery

Implant surgery at our office in Fairfax, VA, begins with the administration of sedation and local anesthesia. Once you are comfortable, we will prepare the dental implant site or sites. To do this, our surgeons will create incisions in the gums to make flaps, which we will fold back to expose the underlying bone. Then, we will create small holes in the bone that will house the implant posts.

Once the holes are the proper depth and width, we can place the implants. This is done with a series of instruments that help to ensure proper placement. Once all implants are secure, we will place a flat healing cap over the end of the screw. This serves to protect the implant from bacteria and infections while you heal. When the healing caps are in place, we will restore the gum flaps we created and suture them in place.

Recovery

The recovery process after implant surgery is lengthy. This phase is referred to as osseointegration and can take anywhere between three and six months. During this time, the implants will fuse with your bone. To avoid disturbing this critical process, you must eat primarily soft foods and very gently brush and floss your teeth and gums. Too much pressure from chewing could result in implant failure. The stitches in your gums will dissolve in about 10 days, and pain and swelling should dissipate over the next few weeks.

Abutments

Once the osseointegration phase is complete, you will return for the placement of the abutment(s). Abutments are the pieces that connect the implant to the crown, bridge, or denture. We will again create flaps in your gums and fold them back to expose the healing cap. We will remove the healing caps and replace them with the abutments. After the abutments are in place, our surgeons will reposition the gums around them. 

Restoration

You must typically wait about another week for your gums to heal around the abutments before we can place your final crown, bridge, or denture. The dental restorations we use near-perfectly resemble natural teeth, so you will leave your restoration appointment with a full, bright, healthy-looking smile.

Dental Implants

Once your dental implants are in place and you've healed from your placement procedure, it's fairly easy to keep them in good shape. Simply follow a good at-home oral hygiene routine and attend regular dental screenings with your dentist.

With proper care, your dental implants can last a lifetime, just like natural teeth that have been cared for properly.

Crown

Dental crowns can be treated just like your natural teeth. You can brush a dental crown twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste and floss around it once a day to keep your gums healthy enough to support the restoration. It is safe to use an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash with these and other restorations.

Crowns can last for 10 to 15 years or longer when cared for properly.

Bridge

When caring for a dental bridge, you can brush it just like you brush your natural teeth. You will also need to use super floss, a floss threader, or an interdental brush to clean your gums underneath the bridge.

Your dental bridge can last for five to 15 years with proper care.

Dentures

Using non-abrasive toothpaste, brush your denture with a soft-bristle toothbrush, and floss at least once a day. Unlike traditional dentures, you don't have to remove implant-supported dentures to clean them, and they don't have to soak in water each night. Only your dentist will be able to remove your dentures to give them a thorough cleaning during regular checkups.

Implant-supported dentures can last for about 10 years.