Dental Implant Treatments
At our Crofton, MD-based Center, we offer you many choices in dental implant treatments, all backed by our decades-long experience and advanced technologies. This is not a one size fits all “corporate” center. Together, we choose the approach that best suits your individual, personal needs.
Dental implants are a modern, revolutionary, alternative to bridges and dentures that provide you with a multitude of benefits. A dental implant is a titanium screw that is anchored in the jawbone. The screw takes the place of the root of the missing tooth acting like that tooth root. Implant success rates are very high, so the implant integrates into the bone which is called osseointegration. Imagine a fence post in concrete. An abutment and crown are placed on top giving you a strong, natural looking replacement tooth.
Dental Implant Treatment Solutions:
Single Dental Implant
A single dental implant replaces one or more missing or failing teeth that aren’t close in proximity or don’t require an implant supported bridge. The implant is placed in the jawbone and connected to the new crown by an abutment. The crown is custom designed to match your smile. Single tooth implants can greatly improve the look, feel, and health of your mouth.
Multiple Dental Implant Bridge
A multiple dental implant bridge is used if you’ve lost several adjacent teeth. Rather than replace each tooth with an individual implant, we can fabricate a bridge using just two implants that anchor several prosthetic teeth together leaving other healthy teeth intact. An implant supported bridge provides jaw stimulation and strengthening benefits of implants.
Fixed Full Mouth Restoration (All on Four)
The All-On-4® Treatment Concept was developed to provide patients suffering with missing or failing teeth or those who are not satisfied with conventional dentures with an efficient and effective restoration using four dental implants to support a full-arch prosthesis. The All-On-4 allows patients to leave the day of surgery with teeth they can use that day.
Removable Full Mouth Implant Supported Denture
A removable full mouth implant supported denture is an option for people who hate their traditional dentures or are looking for a stable full-mouth sollution that is less expensive. This method uses dental implants to secure a customized denture in place. You can remove them for cleaning unlike the fixed solution.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Not only do dental implants restore the functions of your missing teeth and the aesthetics of your smile, but they also offer the following benefits:
They are permanent.
They are more comfortable than traditional dentures.
They can be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth.
They help stop bone loss in your jaw.
Dental implants has been proven to be the best current option in replacing missing teeth, both in longevity and overall effectiveness. In fact, studies have found dental implants to have the highest level of long-term success over any other dental treatment.
Eating Your Favorite Foods
Those who are suffering with their teeth know how frustrating it is to not be able to eat what they want. A diet of soft foods and liquids not only takes the joy out of life, but it is unhealthy for your body. Dental implant full-mouth restorations can be like having your own teeth. You will be able to experience the joys of tasting your foods and eating what you want.
Overall Better Health
Dental problems often contribute to health challenges. By removing the unhealthy teeth, and giving you normal chewing function, dental implant treatments can solve both of those problems. Dental implant patients often report feeling healthier.
Improved Confidence in Social Settings
Our patients tell us that with the increased confidence that comes with a new smile, they feel more self-assured to go out and enjoy life to its fullest including attending more social activities.
More Confidence in Romantic Relationships
Those who receive a new smile with dental implants often say that either their existing personal relationships improve, or they have increased confidence to pursue new relationships.
More Confidence at Work
Some patients tell us that with their new improved smile and look, they feel more confident searching for employment opportunities they have shied away from because of their smile.
Enhanced Facial Appearance
Losing teeth negatively impacts a person’s outward appearance and facial structure through bone loss. The muscles around the mouth sag and droop which alters one’s appearance, but dental implants can help prevent bone loss which results in a stronger and healthier outward facial appearance.
Better Quality of Life
Dental implants will most often restore your confidence, bring you more happiness and provide you an overall higher quality of life. You have probably done many good things for other people, so now is the time that you do something nice for yourself!
Dental Implants vs Dentures
Traditional dentures have long been the only option for people in need of a full mouth restoration. However, they have limited success, as they are not secured, are inconvenient, and at times, painful. Traditional dentures can make it difficult for you to eat your favorite foods, and because they tend to be unstable, you can find yourself in an embarrassing situation if your dentures slip or shift while you’re speaking.
The low cost tends to be a big reason people choose dentures to replace their teeth. However, dentures can come with negative side-effects:
| TRADITIONAL DENTURES | FULL MOUTH DENTAL IMPLANT SOLUTIONS |
| Loose and Mobile | Secure and confident smile |
| Limited food choices | Enjoy your favorite foods again |
| Can reduce normal healthy digestion | Aids normal healthy digestion |
| Can reduce bite force | Creates normal bite force |
| Denture adhesive required | No denture adhesive required |
| Can cause loss (thinning) of jaw bone | Maintains jaw bone |
| Increased mobility over time | Provides long-term stability |
Dental implants provide a permanent and comfortable solution to missing teeth. They support the bones, preventing bone loss and a sunken, “hollow” appearance. They stabilize your smile allowing you to eat what you want with freedom and confidence. And in most cases the roof of your mouth is open so you can taste your food. Dental implants provide you with the most natural solution. They feel and function like your natural teeth.
Consultation and Candidacy
When you come in for your consultation at the Mugford Center, the team will take a 3-D CAT Scan image of your mouth and your anatomy to determine your candidacy for dental implants. If you are having pain, are missing several teeth or are unhappy with your conventional dentures, dental implants may be the best option for you.
The best first step is to come into our Center for your initial consultation. We’re nearby so give us a call today.
Factors Influence Candidacy
Bone loss
Medical issues
Certain medications
Our doctors are specialists in the field of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry so in most cases we can find a solution for you. Keep in mind that the longer you wait the worse your dental conditional may be, so it is important to get an assessment done to ensure you can enjoy the life-changing benefits of dental implant treatments.
Dental Implant Process at The Mugford Center
The replacement of teeth with dental implants requires a consultation at the center to understand your unique situation.
Consultation
During your consultation we will examine your teeth, ask questions, discuss options, and review your treatment options.
Planning
After you have determined that an implant is the right option, we will create a treatment plan. This is done with digital radiology. We will want to determine the health of the bone, the density of available bone, and the placement of nerves and other tissue.
Preparatory Steps
Some patients may require preparation for surgery. We will want to ensure that the patient is able to heal appropriately and may need to work with your physician to adjust medications or gain control of conditions such as diabetes. Additionally, we want the patients gums to be healthy and free of periodontitis, which is a bacterial disease. Finally, we may need to increase the bulk of bone tissue through a bone graft procedure.
Surgical Placement
The implant surgery is completed in our office, often with just a local anesthetic. For many patients, surgery will take less than one hour for a single implant and two to four hours for a full mouth restoration.
Healing
Healing following your surgical implantation is relatively easy. Patients may be uncomfortable for a few days, but most resume normal daily tasks within three days. The soft tissue will heal in days, but the bone tissue will take months to heal. During that time, you will need to use caution with the foods you eat. You do not want to jar or dislodge your implant when healing.
Our team will go over the entire dental implant and restoration process with you, so you understand how best to take care of your new smile.
Next Steps
Are you ready to replace your missing tooth and schedule your dental implant consultation? It’s about time that you no longer have to deal with your missing tooth.
Call us today at (410) 721-7801, and we will create a customized treatment plan for your unique situation. We look forward to seeing you at our nearby Crofton office soon!
Are you looking for the best dental implant information before you make your decision? Give us a call, and we can help!