Receiving Dental Implants

Replacing missing or severely damaged teeth with dental implants or implant-supported prostheses offers patients a number of immediate and long term advantages ranging from a more aesthetic smile to improved oral function and health. Given the complex nature of this treatment, receiving dental implants is a multi-phase process. These phases can be divided as the following:

Evaluation

During the initial consultation, advanced diagnostic tools are used to perform a comprehensive examination of the patient’s mouth, including the teeth, jaw bone and tissue. At our Alexandria dental implantpractice, Dr. Leo Rosenthal also utilizes cone beam computer tomography, also known as CBCT imaging. Unlike traditional x-rays, this technology is able to capture highly-detailed images of the dentition on three unique planes, allowing our implant dentist to identify discrepancies and points of concern in the patient’s smile.

Treatment Plan Development

The resulting images are then used to develop a comprehensive, strategic treatment plan.  Based on the condition of the smile, unique treatment plans can include preliminary treatments needed to prepare the dentition for successful implant placement. This can include bone grafting or ridge augmentation surgery to reinforce the health of the jaw bone or may include tooth extraction to remove the tooth that will be replaced with an implant.

Implant Placement

Once the jaw bone has been deemed healthy enough to support a dental implant, patients return to the dentist for implant placement. During this outpatient procedure, a hole is made in the jaw bone and the implant post is placed within the bone. Over the recovery period, the bone and post will slowly fuse together through the process of osseointegration. This naturally occurring process is critical to future implant success as it creates a solid foundation for the future implant restorations. Additionally, proper integration of the post helps to stimulate the jaw bone, encouraging healthy bone regeneration and preventing further deterioration of the bone.

Restoration

Following the successful incorporation of the implant into the jaw bone, patients return to their dentist’s office for the restoration placement. Depending on the overall tooth replacement needs of the patient, restorations can vary from single unit crowns to extensive implant-supported dentures or hybrid dentures. At our Alexandria dental practice, same day CEREC crowns are a convenient option for patients requiring single crown implant restorations.

Schedule Your Implant Consultation Today

For many, dental implants are an excellent long-term solution for tooth loss or replacement, with many finding treatment to be well worth the investment. At our Alexandria dental practice, our implant dentist has over 40 years of experience placing and restoring dental implants as independent restorations as well as part of larger full mouth rehabilitation treatment plans. For more information about dental implants and implant-supported restorations, contact Dr. Rosenthal today to schedule your consultation.