Dental Implants Virginia Beach

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that’s inserted directly into the jawbone. The biocompatible titanium post fuses with the surrounding bone tissue via a natural process called osseointegration. Once it has successfully integrated, it’s used to support a new crown, bridge, or denture. Dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement because they’re designed to look, feel, and function just like real teeth!

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Dental implants are the best option out there for replacing missing teeth. They are the only solution out there that replaces the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for additional stability, comfort, and longevity. To achieve this, getting implants requires a multi-step process that spans over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the four main steps everyone can expect.

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Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step when getting dental implants is attending a consultation. At this time, we will examine your smile to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Some patients end up needing preliminary procedures before they are able to replace their missing teeth with implants. If this applies to you, we will help you to get them scheduled. Once your gums and jaw are in good shape, we will plan the rest of your treatment.

Dental Implant Surgery

We partner with a team of professionals who are specially trained and know how to precisely place your implants in your jawbone to take advantage of the greatest bone density. This way, you are able to enjoy greater stability from your implants. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, an incision is made into the gum tissue so the implants can be placed precisely in the jawbone. Then, the gums are closed, and protective caps are placed over the implants to keep them safe during the healing process.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

As the implant heals, your bone naturally fuses with the post creating a solid foundation. This process is called “osseointegration.” Once the osseointegration process is complete, you’ll come into our office, and we’ll place the abutment, which is a small metal connector piece, on top of the implant. We will also take impressions of your smile so your restoration(s) can be customized for you at the dental lab.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Once your restorations are complete, you will need to return to the dental office. Your dentist will secure your replacement teeth to your dental implants via the abutments. If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to show off your complete smile!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have become one of the most popular methods of tooth replacement – and it’s easy to see why. They come highly recommended by professionals and patients alike because they offer a variety of unique benefits that traditional solutions (i.e., dental bridges and dentures) simply cannot provide. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they have the potential to significantly improve your overall quality of life. Want to learn more about how they can boost your confidence and health? Simply click on the button below!

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Day-to-Day Benefits

Many denture wearers believe that their prosthetic limits their ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Well, you don’t have to worry about that with dental implants! In fact, they allow you to live your day-to-day life with ease by providing the following benefits:

• Enhanced chewing and speaking ability. Since dental implants replace the entire structure of missing teeth from the root up to the chewing surface, they’re far more stable than traditional options. As a result, they can withstand the chewing of virtually any food.
• Increased confidence. Dental implants are firmly rooted in the jawbone, which means they’re less likely to shift or slip around your mouth. At social events, you can speak and smile confidently knowing your teeth won’t move out of place!
• Easier maintenance. Caring for dental implants is as easy as caring for natural teeth. You don’t have to purchase special products or incorporate complicated steps into your oral hygiene routine.

Health Benefits

Beyond oral health, there are many benefits dental implants offer. Here are incredible health advantages you can enjoy:

• Prevent jawbone deterioration. Dental implants provide the jawbone with internal support, helping prevent the bone loss that’s common after tooth loss. It also helps maintain the face’s overall shape.
• Keep surrounding teeth from becoming misaligned. It’s common for teeth to shift towards the gap that’s left after tooth loss. With dental implants, every member of your smile can stay exactly where it belongs, so you don’t have to worry about your pearly whites shifting.
• Better overall health. Studies have discovered a correlation between tooth loss and an increased risk of several diseases. Because dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, it’s reasonable to believe that they can help lower such risks.

Long-Term Benefits

By choosing to replace the gaps in your smile with dental implants, you can look forward to many long-term benefits, such as:

• Long-lasting results. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants can easily last over 35 years.
• Youthful appearance. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, helping prevent the sunken, aged look that often comes with tooth loss. They’ll help you maintain a youthful appearance for years to come!
• High success rate. Even years after they’ve been placed, dental implants have an incredible success rate of over 95 percent.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

The best way to learn whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Morgan. During your visit, our team will examine your mouth, ensure your jaw and gum tissues can support the implant posts, and draw up a customized treatment plan for your needs. From there, we’ll discuss what type of restoration you require, pricing, and other details you’ll want to know.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

During your initial appointment, there are three important factors Dr. Morgan will look for:

• Good overall health (well enough for minor oral surgery)
• Excellent oral health (no underlying issues like cavities, decay, or gum disease)
• Sufficient jawbone density to support dental implants

If you don’t meet these requirements, that’s okay! You can undergo one or more preliminary treatments to get your smile ready for dental implants. Some common preparatory services include gum disease therapy, extractions, and bone grafting.

Missing One Tooth

To replace a single tooth, we’ll place one dental implant below the gumline that will fuse with your jawbone. Once the healing process is complete, we’ll place the abutment on it and secure your custom-crafted dental crown.

Missing Multiple Teeth

For one or more consecutive missing teeth, we can place two dental implants on either side of the gap in your smile. Instead of securing the dental bridge to your healthy teeth on either side, we’ll attach them directly to the implants.

Missing All Teeth

If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, we can secure a denture to anywhere from four to eight implants, depending on your jawbone density. Because they’ll be attached to a stable foundation, you won’t need to worry about using denture adhesive or having them slip or shift in your mouth.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Dental implants are more affordable than you might think. Many factors influence the cost of dental implants in Virginia Beach, but Dr. Carol Morgan offers several financial solutions to keep them affordable. People from all walks of life can invest in the most successful tooth replacement method. Dr. Morgan can help you fill the gaps in your smile without it costing you an arm or a leg.

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Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

The process of replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant requires multiple steps, each with separate costs. Therefore, you won’t have to come up with a lump sum, giving you more time to pay for your treatment. Although every situation differs, your estimate may include any diagnostic services or preliminary procedures, like gum disease treatment or bone grafting. Once your mouth is healthy, you will be scheduled for your placement surgery. Sedation or anesthesia can be used to keep you comfortable as your implant posts are inserted into your jawbone. Remember, Dr. Morgan will always keep your comfort as her top priority.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Your estimate will also include each part of your dental implant and the number of teeth you’re replacing, which includes:

• Implant Post: A titanium post is placed into your jawbone to serve as a new root.
• Abutment: Each post will require an abutment, which is a connector piece between your implant and restoration.
• Restoration: You’ll require either a crown, bridge, or denture to replace your missing teeth.

The quality of the materials can affect the cost. It’s better to focus on quality over price to ensure the long-term success of your procedure.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants in Virginia Beach can cost more upfront than other tooth replacement options, but they are more affordable overall. Traditional dental prosthetics only last for a few years before needing to be replaced. Dental implants have over a 95% success rate and are proven to last for 30 years or longer with the correct care, like brushing and flossing. Not to mention, dental implants are the only way to replace the tooth root, preserving your jawbone and improving your oral health. As a result, you’ll benefit from reduced dental expenses overall.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Every situation differs, but your dental insurance may cover some of the expenses for certain steps in your treatment plan, like your consultation, diagnostic services, or preparatory procedures. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance may pay some of the costs for your restoration.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Besides using your dental insurance, Dr. Morgan offers other solutions to keep dental implants affordable, including:

• Traditional Payments: Morgan accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards for your convenience.
• Monthly Financing: Based on your credit approval, you can make monthly payments on any out-of-pocket expenses using a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.