Understanding the Factors That Contribute to the Long-term Health of Your New Dental Implants

If you’ve decided you want to receive new dental implants, you’re going to experience a variety of benefits that traditional tooth replacement options (like dentures) don’t offer. In addition to creating a better fit for your mouth, dental implants are healthier for your gums than dentures and present a more permanent solution. In order to ensure that your dental implants last, though, it’s important to take care of them just as you would take care of your natural teeth. Here are the key factors that will determine whether or not your dental implants will last – and how to take care of them for years to come.

Your new dental implants are designed to mimic your natural teeth – both in appearance and in function. Just as regular brushing and flossing can prevent cavities and control the presence of bacteria in and around natural teeth, a good oral hygiene routine is critical to keeping your dental implants in top shape. It is absolutely critical that you brush and floss regularly. You may need to alter your flossing technique slightly in order to care for dental implants – your Lorton oral surgeon can explain the proper technique to you.

If you’ve been less than diligent about keeping regular dentist appointments in the past, you’ll need to change this harmful habit immediately. An annual or biannual professional cleaning at a dentist’s office is an important part of standard dental care, but with your new dental implants you’ll want to see your dentist more often. In most cases, your Lorton oral surgeon will recommend that you have your implants professionally cleaned once every 3-6 months in order to prevent infections. The exact schedule will vary between patients – talk to your oral surgeon to find the cleaning schedule that is right for you.

Just like natural teeth, nothing destroys dental implants faster than smoking. Tobacco and the chemicals in cigarettes have been found to significantly reduce the amount of bone in your jaw, which means heavy smoking can cause your dental implants to fail. Smoking can also slow the rate at which your mouth heals during the first 3-4 weeks following the procedure. Your Lorton oral surgeon will discuss your smoking habit with you and may suggest potential methods for quitting.

Caring for your new dental implants will be critical to ensuring their long-term success. Problems like excessive smoking, long stretches between dental cleanings, and poor oral hygiene can result in infections or even implant failure. A qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Springfield or Lorton can help you to create a post-operative care plan. For more information about dental implants, or to schedule a consultation today, contact Lorton Oral Surgery at (703) 436-4633.

Understanding the Factors That Contribute to the Long-term Health of Your New Dental Implants

Curious About Sinus Lifts? Everything You Need to Know About This Unique Dental Procedure

Replacing a missing tooth can sometimes be complicated. If you’ve been missing a tooth for some time, your gum ridge can become smaller, making it more difficult to place an implant. A missing tooth can also cause the floor of your maxillary sinus to become lower over time. If the floor of your sinus is too close to your gums, it means that a dental implant could be unsafe – it may put your sinus in danger. A sinus lift is a special kind of oral surgery that moves your sinus to allow enough space for your oral surgeon to place an implant. Here’s what you need to know about sinus lifts and the role they play in setting dental implants.

The primary goal of a sinus lift procedure is to increase the amount of bone in your upper jaw. If you’ve lost bone in your upper jaw, your oral surgeon will recommend a sinus lift in order to make room for more bone. Your surgeon may recommend a sinus lift if you’ve lost teeth in your upper jaw, you’ve suffered from periodontal disease in the past, you’ve been missing teeth for so long that you’ve lost bone density, or your maxillary sinus is too close to your upper jaw. This procedure is typically used to prepare patients for the insertion of dental implants.

During a sinus lift procedure, your Lorton oral surgeon will use bone from your hip (or in some cases, cow bone) to increase the bone density in your upper jaw. Your oral surgeon will take X-rays or a CT scan of your jaw and sinus in order to map the area. Your surgeon will start the procedure by cutting through your gum tissue to expose the bone in the back of your mouth. Next, your surgeon will gently push the sinus membrane away from your jaw, pack bone-grafting material into the empty space below, and seal the gums with stitches. After a period of four to nine months, you’ll receive dental implants to replace your missing teeth.

After your sinus lift, you may experience swelling and bleeding. This is normal. You will want to avoid blowing your nose too forcefully or sneezing, as the force involved could dislodge either the bone graft material or the stitches. You’ll want to follow any treatment regimens your oral surgeon prescribes, such as saline sprays, anti-congestants, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics. After 7 to 10 days, you’ll be evaluated and your stitches will be removed. After a few months, the grafting material will be fully integrated with your jawbone, at which point you will be able to receive dental implants.

A sinus lift is an effective procedure for increasing the density of your upper jaw in preparation for a dental implant. When done properly, it can greatly increase the likelihood that your dental implants will successfully integrate with your jaw. To learn more about sinus lifts or dental implants, or to schedule a free consultation, contact Lorton Oral Surgery at (703) 436-4633.

Curious About Sinus Lifts? Everything You Need to Know About This Unique Dental Procedure

The Day Of: What to Expect the Day You Come in for Your Dental Implant Procedure

If you’ve lost teeth due to a disease or an accident, dental implants can give you durable replacements that look, feel, and function like real teeth. Even if you’ve settled on dental implants as the best option for you, though, you may not know much about the procedure for inserting dental implants into your mouth. Knowing what to expect on the day of your procedure can help you to feel calm and relaxed, which means you can feel confident that you’re making the right choice. Here’s what you can expect to happen on the day you receive your dental implants.

Dental implants are usually installed in a three-step procedure. During the first stage of your surgery, your oral surgeon will bury the implant beneath your gums. The implant is the metallic screw-like piece that replaces a lost root. If you opted for one-day implants, your oral surgeon will immediately connect a temporary abutment and temporary denture, which you will wear for a period of four to six months while your mouth heals. Your dental surgeon will give you antibiotics and other medications, and it is imperative that you adhere to your medication schedule to ensure the implant heals properly.

After your mouth has healed, your oral surgeon will insert an abutment and connect it to the implant. The abutment is a small piece of metal that is screwed or fused into the implant. It serves as the primary support structure for the crown. Your surgeon will make a small incision to expose the implant and insert the abutment. Some oral surgeons forego a temporary abutment and simply insert the permanent abutment on the same day that your implant was installed. If you have a temporary abutment, your surgeon will instruct you on how to care for it while you wait for your gums to heal.

After the abutment has been installed, your oral surgeon will insert your prosthetic crown – the part of the implant that looks like a tooth. Usually, your oral surgeon will have fabricated this artificial crown using impressions of your own natural teeth. Your oral surgeon may want to insert the artificial crown before it is fully finished in order to ensure it fits properly. Some oral surgeons will offer you a choice between removable and permanent implants. A removable implant is an implant mounted to the abutment that can be snapped out of place for easier cleaning. A fixed implant is a single artificial tooth that is permanently affixed to the abutment, and can only be removed by a dental surgeon.

Once your prosthetic crown has been inserted, your oral surgeon will give you instructions for post-operative care. Dental implants usually have a 90% success rate. You’ll want to follow your dental surgeon’s instructions carefully to ensure your new implants will last. You will be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise for the first 48 hours following your surgery, and to use your mouthwash for one week. A warm saltwater rinse can promote healing and prevent infection.

Dental implants can improve the look and feel of your mouth, and they can give you newfound confidence in your smile. A Lorton oral surgeon can give you high-quality dental implants that you’ll love. For more information or to schedule your dental implant consultation, contact Lorton Oral Surgery today.

The Day Of: What to Expect the Day You Come in for Your Dental Implant Procedure

Thinking About Travelling To Another Country For Cheap Dental Implants; Think Again, It Could Cost You Dearly

If you’re considering a dental implant procedure, you may be planning a trip to another country to take advantage of significantly lower prices. Although it’s true that you can find much lower-priced dental implants in other countries, this “dental tourism” as it’s known can cost you in other ways. Here are just a few factors to consider before you book your trip.

The average cost of dental implants in the United States ranges from $2,000 to $4,500, which can be prohibitive for some patients. Other countries offer dental implants at much more affordable prices, ranging from $600 in Costa Rica to $1,600 in Mexico. However, traditional dental implants require two visits to an oral surgeon – one visit to insert the implant and temporary crown, and another visit several months later to insert the permanent crown. That means when you start budgeting for your trip abroad, you’ll have to plan for a second trip later on. That $600 implant you had inserted in Costa Rica will cost you two return flights instead of one and two hotel stays instead of one. If someone is accompanying you, the cost will be even higher.

If two-step dental implants seem too expensive, you may want to travel abroad and receive one-day implants that don’t require a return visit. However, even these one-day dental implants might warrant a return visit to your dental surgeon if they fail – and they can fail. Two-step dental implants are inserted in two stages in order to give the screws time to fully integrate with your jawbone. One-day implants are inserted all at once, which means the screw does not have as much of an opportunity to bond with your jawbone before the crown is inserted. That means the screw may not be able to support the implant, and if it is not fully integrated, the implant may move around or require extraction.

The countries that offer the lowest prices on dental implants are also the countries where medical guidelines are lax and industry standards are poor. That means if you have implants installed overseas, you may be undergoing an improperly planned procedure. In 2012, Business Insider reported the story of Helen Hyjek of Palm Coast, Florida, a woman who underwent dental implant surgery in Costa Rica and is now in constant pain. Hyjek went to Costa Rica because she didn’t have dental insurance, and upon completion of the procedure, she discovered that the workmanship was quite poor. Her dental implants are too large for her mouth, which causes bleeding and pain. She has returned for three follow-up appointments, but the problem persists. To date she has spent over $15,000 trying to correct the problem.

Seeking out cheap dental implants in other countries can actually end up costing you a lot – both in terms of money and in terms of your quality of life. A qualified Lorton oral surgeon can insert your dental implants safely, give you appropriate follow-up care, and work with you to ensure that you receive only the best dental implants available. Before you schedule that flight, contact Lorton Oral Surgery at (703) 436-4633 to discuss treatment options.

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