Implant Restorations

Are you missing one or more of your natural teeth? Are you embarrassed by gaps in your smile or worried about what other people think? Are you unable to eat normally or enjoy many of the foods you love? If you answered “yes” to these questions, it may be time to consider dental implants.
If you are new to dental implants, there is no need to worry. Our dental office is available to help you every step of the way!

It is true there any many types of tooth replacement options available to you. Dental implants, however, are increasingly popular because of the versatility they offer to patients. At Atlantic Dental Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we work closely with oral surgeons to make sure your implant procedure is successful.

• What Is Getting a Dental Implant Like?
• How Are Dental Implants Used?
• What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
• How Do I Care for My Implant?
• How Old Do I Need to Be to Get a Dental Implant?

What Is Getting a Dental Implant Like?
Implants are designed to replace the look and function of natural teeth. Dental implants are made up of three separate components: the post, the abutment and the crown. Each piece plays a vital role in the overall function of the implant.

Dental implant posts are titanium restorations that act as a root replacement. The implant is surgically placed into your jawbone at the site of your missing tooth. Depending on the health of your jawbone, you may need bone grafting before an implant can be placed.

Once the post has been placed, the surgical site will typically need to heal for several months. Since it is below the gum line, the titanium post is never visible.

Once the post has healed and stabilized, the abutment is attached to the dental implant. The abutment connects the implant post to the crown and is an essential component. In some instances, the abutment can be placed at the same time as the implant post, but this is a rarity.

After the titanium post and the abutment have healed and stabilized, a crown is then placed on top of the implant. This crown is typically made of a durable material such as porcelain and will look very similar to a natural tooth crown. The crown is designed to protect and cover the implant post just as a real crown covers the tooth root.

If you are worried about what your dental crown might look like, don’t be! Our skilled dentists will match the shade, shape and size of your implant to seamlessly complement your other teeth so your smile is both beautiful and functional. You are the only one who will ever know you have a dental implant!

Do you have more questions about the dental implant process? Feel free to call our dental office any time between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with one of our knowledgeable front office staff members!

How Are Dental Implants Used?
Whether you are only missing one tooth or have many gaps in your smile, dental implants can help. Implants are available in single or multiple units. Dental implants can replace one tooth, and they can also help support dental bridges and dentures. Implants offer the greatest versatility and ease of any tooth replacement procedure.

If you are suffering as a result of missing teeth, make a dental appointment with Dr. Lawrence Michnick, Dr. Christopher Takacs or Dr. Kristen Mazzei today! Our team will evaluate your smile and help you decide if implants are the best choice for you. We always want our patients to be informed and to make the decision that is right for their smile.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants have many different functions. Have you noticed that when people lose teeth, their faces can appear sunken? Unfortunately, this is a result of bone loss. When you lose teeth, you begin to lose the bone that supports those teeth.

Luckily, dental implants can help stop this from occurring! Along with replacing your missing tooth, implants stabilize your jawbone. When an implant is placed, it provides an anchor to assist in the preservation of your remaining bone. This can maintain the structure of your jaw, support your soft tissue, and preserve the appearance of your face.

Another benefit of dental implants is that they are incredibly strong and durable. Implants are designed to hold up against tough, chewy foods and can be used in the same way as natural teeth.

How Do I Care for My Dental Implant?
The best way to care for your implants is to treat them like the rest of the teeth in your mouth. A good home-care routine is necessary for the preservation of your dental implant. After you have received an implant, continue to brush and floss as normal. Keep the gum line area around your implant very clean to avoid any chance of infection or irritation which could potentially lead to you needing a gum graft procedure.

You will also need to visit our office regularly. We want to see your implants succeed, so we partner with you to keep your teeth and gums healthy! Normal biannual hygiene appointments and dental cleanings will also be necessary. These appointments allow us to keep an eye on the condition of your implant and make sure that everything is looking good.

If you ever have any concerns about your dental implant, you can always contact us and schedule an appointment immediately. We are happy to take a look at any problem areas or to offer suggestions on how to best clean and care for your implant. Our dental office can be reached at 410-213-7575.

How Old Do I Need to Be to Get a Dental Implant?
You may be wondering if there is a “right” age for getting dental implants. Most adults who are in good overall health are good candidates for dental implants, regardless of their age. Even senior dental patients regularly receive dental implants!

Younger patients, however, are typically not strong candidates for receiving dental implants. Jaws must be fully developed before they are ready to accept dental implants. Most jaws do not fully develop until the late teens or early twenties. Therefore, children, teenagers and younger college-aged people are generally unable to undergo dental implant surgery.

When we place an implant, we want to make sure that the implant has the best chance for success. If our dental team feels that you are too young to receive a dental implant, we will suggest alternative treatment options that can still benefit you. To learn more, make a dental appointment with our dentists today!

Call our Dentist Office to Explore Your Tooth Replacement Options
Are you ready to learn what options are available to you for tooth replacement? We can share your options with you and give you honest opinions about what may work best to replace your missing teeth. We commit to answering all of your questions so you can make an educated choice. Call to schedule your initial dental exam and find out if dental implants in Ocean City, Maryland, are right for you.