Dental Implants Columbia, MD

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Your initial consultation will include a thorough oral examination so we can make sure you can receive dental implants safely. After reviewing your oral health and medical history, our capable team will help you determine whether implants are right for you. If you have oral infections such as gum disease or require tooth extractions before receiving implants, we’ll be happy to resolve these issues at our Columbia office. If you need bone grafts, we can refer you to a trusted specialist who can help.

Dental Implant Surgery

If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, our team will schedule the second part of your treatment, which is the surgical placement of your dental implants. With our extensive training and experience, we’re able to complete this process in-house for added convenience. This treatment will begin with the patient receiving a local anesthetic to ensure their comfort. Then, Dr. Metzger will make a small incision in the gum tissue, place the titanium post in the jawbone, and close the wound around the new implant. The patient will receive detailed aftercare instructions to help ensure a smooth and speedy recovery.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Most of our patients feel ready to return to their daily routines about a day or two after surgery. However, it will take between three and six months for your dental implants to fully integrate with your jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration. Once your implant has thoroughly fused with your jaw, you’ll come back to our office to receive a second minor surgical procedure. Then, our team will attach small metal connector pieces called abutments, which will allow your implants to support beautiful and functional restorations.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

The final part of your treatment will include attaching your restoration to your dental implants. We’ll take detailed measurements of your teeth, implants, and gums when you receive your abutments and send this data to a trusted lab where your bridge, crown, or denture will be manufactured. After we anchor it in place, check its fit, and make any final adjustments, you’ll be ready to show the world your gorgeous new smile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Once you’ve healed from the procedure, you’ll be able to enjoy several benefits of dental implants, including:

• Improve Confidence – In addition to providing unmatched stability, the restorations secured on top of dental implants are custom-made for each patient. That way, they have a smile that looks and feels extremely natural.
• Clearer Communication – Unlike other tooth-replacement options, dental implants are secured to your jawbone. As a result, you won’t have to worry about your prosthetic moving in your mouth when you talk.
• Easy Maintenance – In short, you don’t need any special or expensive oral hygiene tools to maintain your new and improved smile. Just care for your smile like you usually would (i.e., brushing twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash regularly).

Health Benefits

Another reason dental implants are considered the gold standard in tooth replacement is that they benefit both your oral and overall health. Here are a few examples:

• Helps Prevent Common Dental Problems – Following tooth loss, the teeth surrounding the gap often begin to move out of place. The change in your bite can lead to several problems, including premature wear. Fortunately, dental implants can fill the open spaces, preventing that from happening.
• Restores Your Bite Power – Since dental implants get their strength from your jawbone and the restorations are made from only the best materials, they can restore up to 80 percent of your original bite power. That means that you can maintain a more varied, nutrient-dense, and satiating diet.
• Preserves Your Jawbone – Unlike other tooth-replacement solutions, dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone. Not only does this make them more stable, but it also helps prevent bone loss since the jawbone gets stimulated every time you chew.

Long-Term Benefits

Lastly, dental implants are widely loved by dentists and patients alike because of the long-term benefits they offer, including:

• Long-Lifespan – Of course, one of the biggest benefits of dental implants in Columbia is that they can last for 30+ years! The key is proper maintenance, so make sure to take good care of them on a daily basis and come to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
• Preserves Your Youthful Face Shape – Oftentimes, patients who are struggling with tooth loss end up looking older than they actually are because their cheeks look sunken in and hollow. Dental implants can fill the open spaces in the arch, helping you maintain a more youthful appearance.

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, including if it’s the best tooth-replacement solution for you, get in touch with us to schedule a consultation!