Dental Implants: An Overview
Missing teeth cause a variety of problems for our patients. While negatively affecting the overall appearance of your smile, missing teeth also place extra strain on your surrounding teeth and facial muscles. This makes it difficult to chew or speak. Additionally, missing teeth throw off your bite pattern and can cause issues with your jaw.
As your trusted restorative dentist in Columbia, Maryland, we are happy to provide solutions for missing teeth, including dental implants. The dentist firmly secures dental implants into your jawbone to give you the look, feel, and functionality of your natural tooth. You don’t have to live with the inconveniences and risks of missing teeth for long. Simply call our office today at 410-670-8211 and ask about our dental implant solutions.
Dental Implants In Columbia, MD
A dental implant is a permanent solution to your missing teeth. This is because we surgically secure a part of the implant, the implant post, into your jawbone. As the implant post heals, it fuses with your jawbone, providing a sturdy base for the remaining parts of the implant: the abutment and the dental crown. The healing process for the titanium implant post takes around 3-6 months, but it is well worth the wait. Once the abutment and dental crown can be attached to the post, you get the benefits of a fully restored tooth.
Here are some commonly asked questions about our dental implant procedures:
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants help preserve the jawbone, preventing your teeth from shifting or causing facial sagging. Additionally, dental implants do not decay over time. They act as your natural teeth, but better. Dental implant patients do not have to alter their diet or lifestyle when they receive an implant, as implants function like natural teeth.
Can anyone get a dental implant?
While dental implants are a great option for tooth replacement, not everyone is the best candidate for this treatment. You will need to have healthy gums and sufficient bone density to support your dental implant. People with certain medical conditions or gum disease may not be eligible for an implant. A thorough evaluation of your smile’s current condition will help our Columbia dentists determine whether you are a good candidate for a dental implant.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
We completely numb the dental implant site for the procedure. You should not experience any pain, though there may be some pressure or discomfort. We offer sedation dentistry options for patients who are anxious about any of our dental procedures. Additionally, you may experience some soreness after the procedure, though we will provide aftercare instructions to help you manage it.
Patient Review
How does the implant placement work?
Some patients are concerned about the placement of their dental implant, as it will be permanently fused into their jawbone. Our office uses CBCT scans to help guide our dental implant placements. This ensures we secure the dental implant in the right position. A CBCT scan gives our doctors 3D images. They assist in determining the exact placement of the dental implant into the jawbone. These scans are also very helpful in determining if your jawbone is strong enough to support a dental implant before you begin treatment.
To learn more about our dental implant services, see:
- All-On-Four Dental Implant Concept
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Dental Implant FAQs
- Dental Implants vs. Dentures
- Single Dental Implants
Why Integrated Implant Care Matters
A dental implant is not one procedure. It is a series of procedures: evaluation, possible bone grafting, implant placement, healing, abutment placement, and final crown attachment. In many dental offices, these phases are handled by different providers who may never communicate directly. You become the messenger, carrying X-rays and treatment plans from one office to another.
At Columbia Family Dentist, we have eliminated that fragmented approach.
CBCT-guided Precision
Before your implant surgery, we capture a 3D CBCT scan of your jawbone. This image shows us exactly where your bone is thickest, where your nerves run, and where your sinuses are located. Our periodontist and restorative dentist review this scan together. We plan the implant placement down to the millimeter before we ever schedule your surgery.
This matters because implants placed with CBCT guidance have higher success rates and fewer complications. We are not guessing or adjusting mid-procedure. The implant goes where it belongs the first time.
Coordinated Specialist Care
Our periodontist performs the surgical placement of your implant. Our restorative dentist designs and places your final crown. Because we work in the same office and use the same digital records, there is no delay in transferring records. No risk of miscommunication or surprise fees from an outside specialist, either.
Same-day Efficiency for the Final Step
When your implant has healed, we use digital scanning to capture the position of your implant and surrounding teeth. No messy impression material. No waiting for a lab to ship a model. Your crown is designed and fabricated with precision, and you leave with your final restoration sooner.
The result is an implant journey that is shorter, more predictable, and less stressful. You are not coordinating between multiple offices or repeating your story to strangers. You are simply getting a permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement from a team that works together.
Schedule An Appointment
Dental implants are just one of our several restorative dentistry options for patients looking to replace missing teeth. If you are interested in learning about your tooth replacement options, don’t hesitate to call us at 410-670-8211 or request an appointment online. We are happy to go over all your options for restoring and improving your smile.