
Feb
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are your most reliable option to replace them. It’s important to replace missing teeth for many reasons. First, your smile is affected when there’s a gap from a missing tooth. However, a missing tooth can also put you at increased risk of gum disease and decay in neighboring teeth. Stone Ridge Family Dentistry offers dental implants, giving you an effective option to fully restore your best smile and teeth functionality.
To begin your dental implant process, we will place a titanium screw directly into your jawbone. This post serves as an anchor and foundation for a porcelain crown, dental bridge, or implant-supported denture. Over the course of a couple of months, the titanium screw fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Once the implant has fully fused and healed, we will place a permanent porcelain crown onto the screw and abutment.
One of the main benefits of dental implants is that the implant tooth is designed to work exactly like your natural teeth. The porcelain crown of your dental implant will look almost identical to your existing teeth, matching in both shape and color.
If someone is missing most of their teeth, one option to replace them is dentures. While dentures are a solid solution, you can’t expect the same functionality as your natural teeth. Dentures often shift or split when you’re eating or talking. On the other hand, dental implants function almost identically to your natural teeth. Also, dentures don’t help prevent bone loss. Comfort is also a concern. Because a dental implant is just like your natural tooth, you’ll not notice any difference in comfort. Alternatively, adjusting to a big change like dentures is not always easy.
One of the main concerns of having missing teeth is that bone loss can occur in the jaw. Bone loss can cause:
If you already have bone loss, we will do a bone graft by adding synthetic bone material to the part of your jaw where the loss has occurred. A bone graft will encourage new growth to strengthen the jaw and provide a solid foundation for your new dental implant.
One question many patients have is, “How long do dental implants last?” The answer is that you can expect your dental implants to last for a lifetime. Dental implants are made from materials that include titanium and porcelain. Neither of these materials decays, so you’ll never have to worry about getting a cavity in your implant tooth.
Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement. Contact Stone Ridge Family Dentistry in Aldie, Virginia, for dental implant restorations. Call us today at (703) 570-1356 to schedule your consultation, or use our online form to request an appointment.
Dr. Mallory Grossman is a highly skilled and compassionate dentist known for her gentle and comprehensive approach to oral health. She graduated magna cum laude from Binghamton University in 2010 and earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2014. Following a comprehensive General Practice Residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dr. Grossman developed expertise in minimally invasive, esthetic, and functional dentistry. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Northern Virginia Dental Society, and Virginia Dental Association and continually enhances her skills through ongoing education.
Dr. Kelly Lincoln is a trusted dentist who prioritizes patient-centered care for children and adults. She earned her biology degree from Boston College and her doctorate from the University of Maryland’s Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Dedicated to continuous learning, she has completed advanced courses at the Pankey Institute. She is a member of the ADA, Academy of General Dentistry, Virginia Dental Association, Northern Virginia Dental Society, and Greater Loudoun Study Club. Honored as one of Loudoun County’s “40 Under 40,” she actively participates in community health initiatives like the Virginia Dental Association’s Mission of Mercy project.