Dental Implants – Annapolis, MD

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step on your journey towards a complete and fully functioning smile is a consultation with our dentist. During this appointment, he will conduct an oral examination, review your dental health and medical history, ask about your goals to determine whether this treatment is right for you, and make sure you understand how dental implants work in Annapolis. Based on the findings, he may need to perform some preliminary procedures (gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, bone grafting) to prepare your mouth.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Vanik is partnered with experienced oral surgeons in the area to ensure a top-notch result for your smile. In preparation for implant placement, the surgeon numbs the area to ensure you’re completely comfortable during the procedure. Then, they will make small incisions in the gums, insert the implants at precise angles and locations in the jawbone, and suture your gums shut. Afterward, they will place a protective cap over the posts to keep your mouth safe.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

After approximately 3-6 months, the dental implant will integrate with your jawbone via a natural process called osseointegration. Once that step is complete, you’ll return to the office for a second, smaller surgery to place the abutments on top of the posts. While you heal, your final restorations will be made using impressions taken of your mouth.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

A trusted dental laboratory will craft each dental implant restoration so that it fits perfectly inside your mouth. When it’s ready, we’ll call you back to the office and attach your crown, bridge, or denture to your abutments. Your implant dentist in Annapolis will make any final adjustments to ensure your new smile is exactly what you wanted. You’ll be ready to enjoy your newly rebuilt grin that same day!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Those who receive dental implants are capable of eating all the foods they want, including tough or crunchy foods like steak or apples. Chewing truly feels natural through and through because this specific integration takes place.
• Dental implants provide the most natural-looking esthetics possible (thanks to the porcelain material utilized). That means you can rest knowing that your new smile via dental implants will give your confidence and self-esteem a boost!
• Practicing oral hygiene habits (such as brushing and flossing) feel no different with dental implants compared to having natural teeth. Since dental implants are also not meant to be removable, there’s no need to worry about taking them out just to ensure they are thoroughly clean.

Health Benefits

• Our dentists do not need to modify existing tooth structures to place and restore dental implants. This cannot be said for dental bridges, which require removing enamel from existing natural teeth just to make them fit.
• Maintaining a balanced diet can be difficult when you have dentures because many foods that would be good for your oral and overall health are too crunchy or chewy to break down. With dental implants, expanding your diet to include many different foods is easier compared to having a denture.
• Those who have missing teeth generally have a lower lifespan as well. Dental implants make your smile complete, ensuring you can live your life to the absolute fullest!

Long-Term Benefits

• When you replace the entire root structure of teeth, you’re not solely restoring your smile’s appearance. In fact, you’re providing stimulation to your bone tissue, which in turn keeps your biting force strong. This also means you’re able to maintain your existing bone tissue as well as properly digest your favorite foods!
• Dental implants are the longest-lasting solution for tooth loss. On average, they last between 30 years and a lifetime, which is even longer than other methods like dental bridges and dentures.
• With a success rate as high as 98 percent, you can expect your tooth replacement to be reliable and withstand the test of time regardless of how many teeth you need to replace.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most healthy adults are able to get dental implants. Here are some characteristics of a good dental implant candidate:

• Excellent Overall HealthPlacing dental implants is a surgical procedure, so it’s important that you’re in good enough health to undergo minor surgery.
• Great Oral HealthCavities and gum disease can increase your risk of dental implant failure. You will need to have issues like these addressed ahead of time.
• Adequate Jawbone DensityIt’s essential that your jawbone’s strong enough to support dental implants for your treatment to be successful.

If you have preexisting oral health issues, you may still be able to get dental implants. Many patients need to complete preliminary treatments, like tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafting before getting dental implants. During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your smile and put together a plan that works for you.

Missing One Tooth

To replace one tooth, a titanium implant is placed inside of the jaw and given time to heal. Once the bone and soft tissue have formed around the implant, we can place an abutment (connector which stabilizes the restoration) and a porcelain crown. We use porcelain because of how closely it resembles natural tooth enamel.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Dental bridges can be customized to fit on top of dental implants. Not only does this mean you can replace multiple teeth at a time via dental implants, but you can maintain the natural structure of your neighboring teeth in the process! Implant bridges can be used to replace two or more consecutive teeth.

Missing All Teeth

Whether you’re getting your first denture or you’re tired of your current one, it can be customized to snap on top of dental implants. This method is feasible for both full and partial dentures and capable of being fixed or removable, depending on your preference.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Any preliminary treatments that you require before you can get dental implants, like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting, will contribute to the overall cost. For many patients, these treatments are necessary to ensure that the dental implants are successful. Preliminary treatments are sometimes covered by dental insurance, so this is something that you should check with your insurance provider.

Dental implant surgery incurs its own cost. This will depend on where the implants are being placed in the jaw and the types of sedation or anesthesia you need. Because we want you to see the best possible results, we work with a local specialist for surgery. They will discuss what you can expect to pay for the procedure separately.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Here are the main factors that contribute to the cost of your dental implants:

• Number of dental implants: Depending on the number of teeth you need to have replaced and where they are located in the mouth, you will need more or fewer implants. The more implants you need, the higher the cost will be.

• Type of restoration: Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs. Generally, the smaller the restoration, the more affordable it will be.
• Size or material: Implants can be made out of zirconia or titanium. These materials are at different price points.
• Brand of dental implant: Dental implants come from many different manufacturers. This can influence their cost.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

It can be tempting for patients to try to save money buy opting for dentures or bridges, but dental implants have benefits that you can’t get from any other tooth replacement option. They can even help you to save money in the long run. By investing in implants, you won’t need to worry bout paying for replacements every 5 to 7 years like you would with dentures, and there’s no need to stock up on adhesives or soaking solutions either. They can also help you to avoid certain oral health issues, like gum disease, misalignment, and tooth decay, that require costly treatments through the years.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance doesn’t usually include the cost of dental implants, but there are some exceptions. Parts of the final or preliminary treatments are often covered. At Vanik Dental Group of Annapolis, we proudly accept numerous popular dental insurance plans. If you have any questions regarding your plan and what it covers, feel free to talk to one of our friendly team members.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are out-of-luck. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can break the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. Talk to one of our team members to learn more about your options.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implant restorations, whether you have crowns, bridges, or dentures, will not develop decay or cavities. This is because they are made from inorganic material. However, this does not mean you can skip brushing and flossing daily. You must stay committed to these habits if you want your dental implants to stay healthy. This is because the gum tissue surrounding the implant can still become infected, resulting in failure. On top of brushing twice a day and flossing daily, using an oral rinse and water flosser can also make your routine more thorough by loosening food debris and killing hard-to-reach bacteria.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating your favorite food feels natural with dental implants thanks to its integration with your bone tissue, but having a balanced diet matters for their longevity as well. You should avoid eating food containing excessive sugar as it can increase your risk of plaque production and cause gum disease. Furthermore, eating foods conducive to oral health (i.e. fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, dairy products), will ensure your mouth is getting the nutrients it needs.

Break Bad Habits

If you engage in bad oral habits, your dental implants could become damaged (or worse, fail completely) just like your natural teeth. For example, you should stop smoking or chewing tobacco as these increase your risk for gum disease and tooth loss. Never use your teeth as a tool to perform tasks like opening bottles or packages. Avoid chewing on very hard foods like ice cubes or hard candy. Feel free to speak with our team if you need additional guidance breaking these habits.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Dental implants should be protected just like natural teeth, whether you’re particularly active in sports or have a teeth grinding and clenching habit. Sports like football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and others can put you at greater risk of experiencing a dental emergency if you don’t wear a mouthguard while participating. Similarly, teeth grinding and clenching can leave your implant restoration worn down or cracked. In this case, a nightguard is an ideal solution. Custom-made oral appliances will always provide better comfort, protection, and longevity.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Even with the best at-home oral care, it won’t be enough to ensure your dental implants are well protected. Visiting our office once every six months gives our team a chance to examine your mouth, including your dental implants, and confirm your at-home habits are enough to protect your oral health. We’ll also perform a cleaning to remove any residual plaque or tartar on your teeth or restorations.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

When dental implants are placed by a skilled professional, such as the oral surgeons our office partners with, you can expect your treatment to maintain a very high success rate. On average, they have a success rate as high as 95%. However, your success rate will also be affected by how well you take care of your dental implants and your day-to-day habits. For example, using tobacco products can dramatically lower your long-term success rate, while practicing positive oral hygiene and visiting our office for checkups every six months increases the chances it will last for as long as possible. However, certain teeth are at greater risk of failure than others (i.e. molars over front teeth).

How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?

The most common signs that a dental implant is failing include severe pain around the implant post, inflamed or swollen gum tissue, and an implant that feels loose. These are signs that either an infection is present or your post never properly integrated with your jawbone tissue. In the event you notice these symptoms, do not hesitate to give our office a call. The sooner you call, the more likely we may be able to save the implant from needing to be removed.

Do Dental Implants Decay?

Dental implant restorations nor the implants themselves can develop decay because they aren’t made of organic materials like enamel. With that said, any remaining teeth can still develop cavities as well as your gum tissue surrounding the implants. For that reason, it’s important to stay on top of your oral care routine every day and eat a healthy, balanced diet low in sugar.

How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?

The average dental implant treatment can take anywhere between one and two hours, but keep in mind this only applies when you’re having a single implant placed. If you need to have preparatory treatments performed first, such as a bone graft, this can extend the length of the procedure. The length of your treatment can also be affected by how many dental implants you need to have attached to rebuild your smile. Your oral surgeon will need time to create a sterile surgical environment as well as administer anesthesia to ensure your safety, so keep this in mind as well.