Dental Implantsin ELKRIDGE, MD
Don't let a missing tooth dim your smile or shake your confidence. Beyond aesthetics, dental implants elevate your overall health and reinstate the complete functionality of your smile. Rediscover the joy of eating, laughing, and speaking confidently.
Why should I choose dental implants?
Choosing dental implants means embracing a solution that offers more than just a cosmetic fix. These advanced, durable fixtures mimic natural teeth in both appearance and function, providing a stable and long-lasting solution to tooth loss. Carefully placed down to the root, they preserve your natural jawbone integrity and improve bite function. This restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile without worry, making them a worthwhile investment for both your dental health and quality of life.
AAID Member
Dr. Hong is proud to be a member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and is always in pursuit of additional knowledge and skill in the field of dental implantology through continued education courses.
Restore Your Smile!
You deserve to love your smile. That's why we're offering an exclusive dental implant special for new patients looking to replace a missing tooth and restore their oral health.
Treatment Planning
Implant Placement
Custom Restoration
Did you know…
Down to the root, dental implants replace your whole tooth.
Source: National Library of Medicine
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The Benefits of Dental Implants
Unmatched Comfort
Implants mimic natural teeth, allowing normal brushing, flossing, and eating.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Each implant is custom-made to fit in flawlessly with your smile and resemble a real tooth.
Oral Health Preservation
Made from biocompatible titanium, implants fuse with your jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining your natural facial structure.
The Implant Treatment Process
Placement
After your treatment plan is confirmed, we'll arrange your oral surgery and outline the procedure. In the surgery, a precise incision will be made in your gum to place the dental implant into your jawbone securely. Following this, we'll meticulously clean the area and apply sutures to initiate the healing phase.
Healing & Osseointegration
The healing process begins as soon as the implant is in place. The site of the incision will heal within 1-2 weeks. However, it takes about 3-6 months for the implant to fully integrate with your jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. During this period, we'll schedule a few follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure everything is healing correctly.
Applying the Restoration
The final step is the restoration phase. We will tailor-make a beautiful dental crown that complements your smile seamlessly and attach it securely to the abutment which securely attaches to your implant. With this final step, your smile will be beautifully restored and complete!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Single tooth implants are a popular choice for dental restoration. They consist of two primary components. The first is the implant itself, a titanium rod with a screw-like design. The second is the dental crown, or the visible part, which is attached to the rod. This crown replicates the look, functionality, and feel of your natural tooth. Offering superior durability, single-tooth implants are a stable solution, unlike partial dentures, and they remain firmly in place without shifting.
Our dental implants, made from high-grade titanium, are precisely crafted in specialized labs to ensure a variety of standard sizes for the implant post. The dental crown, a key component of the implant, is custom-made for each patient, ensuring a perfect match for your smile. Depending on your specific needs, we either create your implant in-house using cutting-edge milling technology or collaborate with a trusted lab, where we send detailed impressions of your teeth.
The lab meticulously constructs a durable and resilient crown, often using porcelain for its remarkable similarity to natural tooth enamel in both look and strength. Once your tailor-made crown is ready, it's sent back to our clinic. Here, we carefully attach it to the implant, ensuring a secure and seamless fit. This final step brings your dental restoration to completion, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.
With correct placement and diligent maintenance, dental implants can last over 30 years, often remaining with patients for a lifetime. However, the crown or restoration part may require replacement over time due to normal wear from daily activities like chewing and biting. Regular dental check-ups allow us to ensure your implant and restoration remain in optimal condition.
While rare, it's possible for dental implants to get infected, a condition known as peri-implantitis. This typically occurs if the implant isn't adequately cleaned or cared for post-surgery. To prevent this, follow post-operative care instructions diligently and maintain regular oral hygiene practices once the implant has healed.
Yes, dental implants play a crucial role in preventing bone loss. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone misses the stimulation from natural chewing forces, leading to bone deterioration. The titanium implant post, once placed, integrates with the jawbone, acting like an artificial tooth root. It effectively transmits chewing forces to the jaw, just like a natural tooth, maintaining bone health and strength.
In certain situations, it's feasible to receive a dental implant in just one day. This depends on the specific implant type suitable for your case. Initially, a temporary restoration is provided to maintain functionality and aesthetics during the healing period. This allows normal speech and eating while you heal.
We schedule follow-up visits to monitor your healing and take impressions for your permanent restoration. This final, custom-made crown will be more durable and natural-looking compared to the temporary one. We recommend a consultation to explore the best implant options for your needs.