The Many Uses of Dental Implants

For many patients facing oral rehabilitation procedures, selecting the correct dental restoration can be an overwhelming process. In particular, identifying which treatment will most effectively improve the health and function of the smile without compromising other parts of the dentition can be an overwhelming task. Depending on the condition of your smile as well as your oral health goals, certain treatments may be more effective and efficient than others. Consider the following conditions:

Root Canal Therapy and Retreatment
Preventing reinfection following root canal therapy is an important component of the overall treatment. In most cases, patients are able to enjoy healthy, fully functional smiles and retain their original tooth by opting for a porcelain crown. However, in cases where the root is continuously becoming infected, patients may be better off from a health and functional perspective by removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

Periodontal Disease
While this condition is better known for its impact on gum health, untreated gum disease can also affect the health of the jaw bone and teeth. In extreme cases, bacteria erode the bone tissue, causing it to become unstable and unable to support teeth. For patients experiencing the symptoms of advanced periodontal disease, extraction of the compromised tooth, bone grafting of the compromised area, and restoration with a dental implant may be the best option to prevent the disease from causing further damage to the bone and jaw.

Tooth Fracture or Crack
Restoring tooth function following a fracture is highly dependent on the position of the fracture or crack as well as whether bacteria has infected the inner pulp chamber, causing more serious dental infection. While minor fractures above the gum line may be easily remedied with a root canal and crown, more severe instances where the tooth has been severely compromised may require a more permanent solution to tooth replacement.

Extensive Arch Damage
In severe cases of damage and decay, entire arches of teeth may require replacement in order to help patients regain oral functionality. While dentures may seem like an ideal, financially sound idea, the long-term maintenance and replacement costs as well as the future health implications of this removable restoration can quickly outweigh any advantages. For these individuals, implant-supported dentures or hybrid dentures offer the security and stability of dental implants combined with the convenience of traditional dentures.

Dental Restoration Options in Northern Virginia
At the oral surgery practice of Dr. Snehal Patel, our team is dedicated to helping patients of varying oral needs find a restorative solution that addresses immediate dental needs while ensuring lasting oral health and hygiene. For more information about including dental implants or implant-supported dentures into your comprehensive treatment plan, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today.

The Versatility of Dental Implants

Like any other aspect of dental care, the type of restorative treatment you receive is dictated by your oral health and function needs. Over time, advancements in treatment techniques have opened the door for versatile solutions that have the capability to comprehensively address a variety of dental issues. In particular, innovations in dental implants and implant-supported restorations have transformed how a number of oral conditions can be easily solved. 

Why are Dental Implants so Versatile?

Much of the versatility of dental implants stems from how implants are integrated into the dentition. Unlike traditional restorations which depend on surrounding tissue and teeth for support, implants are surgically embedded into the dentition. Not only does this eliminate the risk of compromising neighboring teeth, but the self-supportive nature of dental implants allows this restorative treatment option to become a fully incorporated part of the dentition. 

Additionally, dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth. Not only does this ensure proper integration into the bone, but it also facilitates and enhances normal dental function. The embedment of the implant post into the bone helps to stimulate healthy bone growth, preventing bone resorption as well as preserving the integrity of the facial structure. This beyond-the-dentition advantage makes dental implants and implant-supported restorations ideal for cases of both isolated as well as comprehensive tooth loss. 

The Advantages of Dental Implants for Single Tooth Replacement

Instances where only a single tooth requires replacement are often the result of isolated trauma or infection. Traditional restorative solutions often required bridges as a temporary answer to restoring function and aesthetics to the teeth. However, bridges require the neighboring teeth be filed to make room for the bridge, leaving these adjacent teeth vulnerable to decay and further restorative treatment. 

By using dental implants instead of fixed or removable bridges, patients are able to wholly restore their smiles without compromising their oral health and without damaging the neighboring teeth. 

Why Replacing Multiple Missing Teeth with Dental Implants is a Viable Option

For patients missing several teeth to entire arches, conventional treatment options are often restricted to fixed bridges, partials, and dentures. With the exception of fixed bridges, these traditional restorations lacked stability and reliability, leaving patients uncomfortable and lacking confidence in the functionality and aesthetics of their restored smile. 

Dental implants are a viable option as they can be used to stabilize new and existing multiple-teeth restorations of varying sizes. As they are fully integrated into each patient’s jaw, they work in conjunction with the rest of the smile to provide patients with lasting oral function and aesthetics. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, dental implants can be used to support a wide array of multi-tooth prostheses, including bridges, overdentures, and hybrid dentures. 

Finding the Best Dental Implant Solution for Your Smile

Northern Virginia oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel and his team are dedicated to helping all patients find the right restorative solution for their smile. By offering a wide range of dental implant and implant-supported treatment options at both our Lorton and Springfield dental practices, our team offers comprehensive, versatile solutions for diverse dental problems. Contact your nearest Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery practice today to learn more about the advantages of implant dentistry.

Innovative Equipment: 3D Cone Beam Imaging

Personalized to each patient’s specific teeth replacement needs and designed to improve the overall health and aesthetics of each unique dentition, dental implants and implant-supported treatments represent the forefront of innovative restorative care. Recent years have also seen the technology used to perform these advanced procedures become much more advanced. In particular, the development and use of three-dimensional cone beam technology has opened to door for strategic dental implant treatment planning and placement.

What is Cone Beam Imaging?
Better known as cone beam computed tomography or CBCT imaging, this technology uses cone-beam shaped x-rays to take highly-detailed, three dimensional images of the patient’s teeth and facial skeleton.  As the diagnostic imaging tool rotates around the patient’s head, dentists are provided with scans of every angle of the mouth.

The Benefit of Cone Beam Imaging
When it comes to planning for extensive procedures, it is imperative that dentists have an in-depth understanding of each part of your smile. In particular, advanced procedures such as dental implant placement and wisdom teeth extraction involve altering or working with the underlying jaw bone in order to successfully complete treatment. As a result, the high quality images produced by this innovative dental technology allow dentists and dental specialists to plan strategic treatments that successfully incorporate all parts of the smile for optimal results.

Another benefit of CBCT imaging is the ability to identify potential dental issues. From identifying areas of deteriorated bone structure as a result of tooth loss to determining the cause of jaw misalignment, the comprehensive nature of CBCT scans allows dental teams and patients to proactively address dental conditions before they have the opportunity to negatively impact the smile. CBCT imaging can also be used to diagnose problems that originate in the head and neck region, including temporomandibular joint dysfunction as well as sleep apnea.

Comprehensive Treatment Development in Lorton and Springfield
At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, CBCT imaging is utilized to create personalized treatment plans for patients requiring extensive oral surgeries and other complex treatments.

Ranging from impacted wisdom teeth extraction to preliminary implant surgeries, this advanced dental technology allows our Northern Virginia oral surgeon to develop the most efficient and effective solutions for your unique health needs. For more information about the benefits of integrating CBCT scanning into your upcoming oral surgery, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants and Oral Surgery today.