For most people who are missing one or more of their teeth, a dental implant from the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Alexandria is an ideal, state-of-the-art solution.
The dental implant process can take several visits over a period of months. Don’t let this discourage you. Each stage is critical.
The Dental Implant Timeline
1. Examination and Assessment
A complete dental implant and restoration consists of a titanium post, the abutment, and the final restoration (crown, denture, bridge, or partial denture).
At your first visit, we’ll take X-rays and evaluate your mouth. We will examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
If you don’t have adequate bone at the implant site, we may recommend bone grafting surgery, a common procedure to generate new bone growth.
2. Implant Placement
The first step is to insert the titanium alloy implant into your jawbone. Most patients are surprised at how fast and easy the procedure is. It takes one to two hours.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough for post-surgery soreness. Most people can go resume an ordinary day after the surgery. We’ll have instructions on post-operative care.
3. Osseointegration
Over the next few months, the implant and jawbone fuse. Titanium readily integrates with bone. The technical term for this quality is ‘osseointegration’. For most patients, it takes from three to six months for the process to complete.
4. Placing the Final Restoration
The final step is a crown, bridge, or denture. A connecting piece called an abutment attaches the restoration to the artificial root(s). The crown, bridge, or denture is all that is visible at the end of the process.
Dental implants from the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Alexandria can improve your life. To find out whether they are right for you, please call our office to schedule an appointment!
Contact Mt. Vernon Center For Dentistry:
703-360-5881
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 114
Alexandria, Virginia
22306
