Dental Implants

If you lose one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, or another cause, there is hope. Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

What are Dental Implants?

When compared with more traditional solutions for tooth replacement such as removable dentures or fixed bridges, many patients find that dental implants in Leesburg, VA are a more attractive solution for addressing tooth loss. While other treatments certainly have many of their own benefits, dental implants are typically more comfortable and longer lasting. Once Dr. Hirshman places them, your dental implants can bring you a lifetime of natural functioning and appearance.

Unlike dentures or fixed bridges, dental implants are planted firmly in the jaw and will naturally fuse with the bone over time. This allows them to function just like real teeth without the risk of slippage or the need for adhesives. Dental implants also provide necessary stimulation to the jaw in order to prevent bone deterioration. In this way, dental implants are also a safe solution for tooth loss and maintain a high rate of success.

Dentures and fixed bridges can potentially cause harm to your oral health and even lead to further tooth loss down the road. For example, removable dentures do not interact with the jaw bone, and can allow deterioration to occur over time. When deterioration occurs, your teeth can lose their natural support structures and shift out of place. Fixed bridges can also cause future tooth loss by requiring adjacent teeth to be resized and reshaped. This may make the teeth more vulnerable to bacteria and susceptible to decay. While these are both perfectly safe treatments for patients looking for a short term replacement, they are generally not ideal for long term treatment.

Dental implant technology has been around for nearly 30 years and it continues to improve. Today’s market offers several different types of implant solutions for different individuals.

Whether you have suffered from single or multiple tooth loss, this may be the perfect solution for you. To learn more about how dental implants in Leesburg, VA can benefit you, contact Dr. Hirshman and schedule your consultation today!

Benefits

While dentures and fixed bridges certainly have their own advantages, Dr. Nina Hirshman recommends dental implants in Warrenton for long term tooth replacement. Many patients find this treatment to be both more attractive and more comfortable than the alternatives. There are also several health benefits that a removable denture or a non-removable dental bridge cannot provide. Here a few reasons why many patients choose dental implants:

Comfort

Dental implants are made from titanium, which is a material that is naturally compatible with the human body. This means that there is none of the irritation that comes with wearing plastic dentures. Dental implants are also more stable and do not slip around in the mouth. Activities such as eating and speaking feel as natural as they do with real teeth.

Versatility

Dental Implants can be used to replace as many teeth as necessary. Whether you are missing one tooth or an entire arch, dental implants can help. A dental bridge, on the other hand, works best when replacing one or two missing teeth. A removable denture is usually reserved for patients with a large number of missing teeth.

Preservation of Bone Mass

Dental Implants play an important role in preserving the jaw. Similar to natural teeth, they stimulate the bone and help to prevent deterioration. Dentures or a dental bridge will not do this. In fact, most dentures need to be replaced every five to seven years because the bone has a tendency to shrink, causing the denture to no longer fit properly.

Long Term Results

Not only do dental implants help to prevent bone and tissue deterioration, they cannot decay due to their titanium composition. Patients who practice good oral health and eat a healthy diet can make their implants last an entire lifetime. Dentures or a dental bridge, however, are widely considered to be shorter term solutions.

Dental implants can offer long term benefits to your oral and overall health. To learn more about dental implants in Warrenton, contact Dr. Hirshman and schedule your consultation today!

Consultation

Before placing your dental implants in Manassas, VA, Dr. Nina Hirshman asks that you come in for a consultation. This is done to help determine the desired placement of each implant and address any concerns that you may have about the procedure. To help you prepare for your consultation, we have provided a short outline of what you can expect.

Examination

Dr. Hirshman will spend the first part of your consultation examining your bone level and gum tissues to ensure that they are healthy enough to support implant dentistry. We may also need to take x-rays and/or make computer scans of your jaw. These will help us identify areas where the bone quantity is the greatest so that we can place your implants in the locations with the greatest chances for success.

Discussion

After the examination, you and Dr. Hirshman will discuss factors that might affect the success of implant dentistry. For example, patients who have poor oral hygiene, use tobacco, or have unhealthy diets generally do not make good candidates. Additionally, relevant health issues that may alter implant success will be discussed. If you have experienced tooth loss as a result of gum disease, it is important for you to practice good hygiene so that the infection does not occur.

Based on the results of your x-rays and the initial discussion, Dr. Hirshman will determine if you are a good candidate for implant dentistry. We will then go over your options and select the type of implant dentistry that will benefit you the most.

Question and Answer

During the last part of your consultation, you will be able to ask any questions that may have arisen. These questions can be about anything related to implant dentistry such as:

• Length of Procedure
• Recovery
• Maintenance
• Cost
• Insurance

In order to make the most of this session, we recommend doing some research beforehand so that you have a basic knowledge of the procedure. This will help you form specific questions and gain the most from your consultation. To learn more about dental implants in Manassas, VA, contact Dr. Hirshman and schedule your consultation today!

The Surgical Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. Healing time following surgery varies from person to person and is based on a variety of factors, such as hardness of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed.
For the first three to six months following the surgery, dental implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet at this time. At the same time, your restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture that will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Hirshman will uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. After two weeks, your general dentist will be able to start making your new teeth. An impression must be taken. Then posts or attachments can be connected to the implants. The teeth replacements are then made over the posts or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.

What Types of Prosthesis are Available?

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (overdenture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by a professional.

Dr. Hirshman performs in-office dental implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility.

Dr. Hirshman has received extensive training in Dental Implantology. Through continuing education, Dr. Hirshman is abreast of the most current information on implant dentistry.

Cost

The best way to gain an accurate calculation of your dental implants cost in Warrenton, VA is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hirshman. There are many different factors that need to be considered when placing dental implants. Conditions such as periodontal disease or severe bone loss can make the procedure more involved. Here is a list of factors that can influence your dental implants cost:

The Number of Implants

• Simply put, more implants mean a higher cost. This is because, in addition to extra materials, Dr. Hirshman will need to spend more time analyzing bone density and plotting the exact placement of each implant.

Bone Loss

• Some patients experience bone loss from periodontal disease or from missing teeth for an extended period. In such cases, it may be necessary to perform a bone graft procedure to ensure that there is enough bone structure to hold the implants in place. The cost of this procedure will be added on to your overall dental implant cost.

Periodontal Disease

• Healthy gums are essential to the success of your dental implants. If you are currently suffering from any form of periodontal disease, you will need to have this treated before implants can be placed. The addition of this procedure will increase your overall treatment plan cost.

Tooth Extractions

• Teeth can become loose or damaged as a result of periodontal disease or injury. When this happens, an extraction is needed before a dental implant can be placed. The cost of extractions will be factored into the overall cost of dental implants.

The Type of Dental Implants Being Placed

• There are several types of dental implants available today and each carries a different fee. For example, an implant supported bridge will have a different cost than an individual implant.

Dental implants may be the best option to replace your missing teeth. To find out which type of implant plan is best for you and to receive an estimate on your dental implants cost in Warrenton, VA, contact Dr. Hirshman today!