Falls Church Dental Implants Specialist

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to allow the replacement of missing teeth to increase function and aesthetics. Implants are small cylindrical titanium fixtures that typically serve to replace the roots of missing teeth and act as a base for replacement teeth that feel and work like natural teeth. After adequate healing has occurred, a crown is placed on the implant as a final restoration. For those patients who wear dentures, implants can be placed to “anchor” the denture in place. Small attachments added to the implants will snap into attachments added to the inside of dentures. This increases the amount of chewing force and also serves to stabilize the dentures from sliding and rocking during the chewing process.

During your next visit, we encourage you to inquire with Dr. Paesani why they are commonly regarded as the most effective solution for patients with missing teeth.

Medical Importance and Practices

The medical importance of dental implants and its practice in the field cannot be underestimated. It may be said that dental implants are the single most important technological advancement in the dental industry, as they offer a perfect modern day solution for teeth that are missing. Dental implants are the most predictable tooth replacement option available and have endured close to fifty years of medical research. They are designed for a lifetime and the only dental treatment that prevent soft tissue and bone loss. They also provide the patient with natural tooth hygiene and greatly eliminate the need to modify or adjust adjacent teeth, which can become more complicated than necessary.

Versatility and Functionality

Implants are extremely versatile and function to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, stabilize dentures, or even replace the need for dentures indefinitely. Traditional treatments for these types of matters include dentures and bridges. These treatments may lead to issues with overall comfort, presentation, stability, and material endurance, which may have a negative impact on overall wellness and self-confidence.

Dental Implants in Virginia (Falls Church) at NOVA Dental Studio

The advancements in cosmetic dentistry have resulted in the ability to add prosthetic teeth to an entire upper or lower arch using four to six implants. Once this procedure is complete, Dental Implants provide patients with a tooth-loss solution that closely mimics their natural set of teeth. Many people in Virginia are visiting Dr. Michael J. Paesani at NOVA Dental Studio to explore their tooth replacement options, including implants.

Dental Implants in Virginia

These implants are titanium posts that replace the missing root of a tooth. These implants are used to provide a dental prosthesis (i.e., a single crown or a bridge) with a strong and stable foundation. Patients can choose a removable prosthesis (e.g., implant-supported dentures) or a fixed prosthesis.

If some of the patient’s natural teeth are remaining in the mouth, Dr. Paesani chooses a tooth color for the prosthesis that closely matches the patient’s remaining teeth.

Issues Dental Implants can address include:

• Missing Teeth

  Tooth loss occurs for a variety of reasons, some of which include periodontal disease, decay, medications, trauma to the mouth, chemotherapy, Anodontia (i.e., a genetic disorder characterized by missing teeth).

• Deterioration of the Jawbone

  After the loss of a tooth, the absence of the root means the jawbone is not being stimulated. This lack of stimulation leads to thinning of the jawbone, which, when several teeth are missing, can result in a change of facial characteristics. One such change is when the cheeks appear as if they are sunken in. In addition, the remaining teeth slowly drift out of place. However, when a Dental Implant with a prosthesis replaces the missing tooth and its root, the integrity of the jawbone remains. Therefore, if the missing teeth and roots are replaced relatively quickly, the shifting of teeth and facial characteristics resulting from missing teeth can usually be avoided.

• The Inability to Eat Certain Foods

  The ability to tear and bite through certain foods can be difficult for those who are missing teeth as well as those who wear unsupported removable dentures.

• A Lack of Confidence

  Many times, individuals who have unsightly or missing teeth feel anxious when social situations arise. This sense of anxiety frequently leads to an avoidance of such gatherings. Recipients of Dental Implants typically regain their self-confidence and can enjoy socializing again.

• Poor Bite Strength

  Removable dentures can only restore 25 percent of the original bite strength. Whereas, once the healing phase is over, implants frequently restore from 80 to 100 percent of an individual’s original bite strength.

Who Should Consider Virginia Dental Implants?

Whether an individual wears a partial, a denture or a bridge, anyone who is missing one or more teeth may be a good candidate for Dental Implants in Virginia.

The best candidate for implants is in good overall health and has healthy gingival tissue (aka gums) and jawbone. Nonetheless, even if an individual has suffered bone loss, advancements in diagnostics and the ability to reconstruct bone using bone grafts has made it possible for these patients to receive Dental Implants as well.

There are some lifestyle choices that can negatively affect the body’s ability to heal, one of which is smoking. Also, chronic conditions like leukemia or diabetes can interfere with the healing process.

The Parts of a Dental Implant

Dental implants consist of three main parts: the screw-like structure (i.e., post) that consists of titanium, the abutment and the prosthetic crown or arch.

The Titanium Post

The Titanium post is the screw-like structure that is placed within the jawbone. Following placement, the jawbone fuses with the implant. This fusion takes about six months and is referred to as osseointegration.

The Abutment

An abutment serves as the connector. The abutment fastens the dental prosthetic to the implant. To ensure the abutment remains tight, there is a tiny screw that runs through it. Abutments are placed on an angle, which allows for proper placement of the dental prosthesis. Patients may receive a healing abutment directly after their implants are placed.

A Crown or Bridge

The final part of the implant is the prosthesis, which can be a dental bridge or a crown. The prosthesis replaces the visible part of the tooth.

Tooth Replacement Options Available in Virginia

Typically, there are three tooth replacement options available. While each option serves the same purpose, the most permanent and natural-looking option is Dental Implants.

Tooth replacement options include:

A Fixed Dental Bridge

Prior to implants, the bridge was a common restorative option. The dentist uses cement to affix this dental prosthesis to the teeth directly next to it. The main disadvantage of dental bridges is that they are dependent on the existing natural teeth next to them for support.

A Removable Dental Appliance

This dental prosthesis may be a denture, to replace a full arch of missing teeth, a partial denture, to replace several missing teeth, or a flipper, which is typically used to replace a single tooth.

Although dentures, partials and flippers are affordable tooth replacement options, they are the least desirable because they affect the individual’s ability to taste food. In addition, people who wear these removable prostheses tend to lose the sensory experience enjoyed while chewing foods consisting of different textures.

A Dental Implant

This is a permanent solution for a missing tooth. The Dental Implant consists of an artificial root that is placed inside the jawbone and a visible prosthesis that closely resembles a natural tooth.

The patient may receive one implant, abutment and crown to address a single lost tooth or multiple teeth can be replaced with an attached bridge. Moreover, patients who are missing a full arch of teeth (top or bottom) can have four to six Dental Implants placed and a full denture attached. An arch refers to an entire set of upper or lower teeth. Dr. Michael J. Paesani uses a full-arch treatment to replace the missing teeth in their entirety.

Unlike fixed bridges, Dental Implants are supported by the jawbone, which means surrounding teeth are not affected.

Various Types of Dental Implant Cases in Virginia

Implant options include the conventional, standard case, a single tooth, an affixed dental bridge and the All-on-4 technique.

Dental Implant options include:

• A conventional, standard case

  In a standard case, the implants are placed within the patient’s jawbone. Conventional implants can be a single tooth, a full arch or a bridge.

• A single tooth

  An individual Dental Implant with a crown is used to replace a single tooth. Once the implant is placed within the jawbone, and after a short healing period, the abutment and implant are attached. Then, an impression is created. This impression is used to make the patient a permanent, custom-designed crown. Once the crown is ready, it is attached to the abutment.

• An affixed dental bridge

  A bridge is used to replace several missing teeth that are located next to one another. An affixed bridge can be supported by healthy teeth at either end or by Dental Implants.

• All-on-4

  This is a common technique that is used when patients need a full arch of teeth. The four represents the number of implants necessary to hold the prosthetic dental appliance in place. Sometimes, to provide the patient with optimal results, Dr. Paesani recommends that the patient consider six Implants per arch.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures; How Do They Differ?

Although the cost of dentures can make this solution seem like an enticing option, patients must carefully consider the differences between implants and dentures.

Dentures vs. Dental Implants, a comparison:

Dentures:

• Are unable to stimulate the jawbone, which causes deterioration. This deterioration changes the structure of the face making the cheeks appear as if they are sunken in.
• Frequently feel unnatural.
• Will eventually require maintenance because as an individual’s jawbone deteriorates, the denture will no longer fit properly. Therefore, the patient must have the denture realigned or opt for a new denture.
• Restrict an individual’s chewing capacity.
• Limit the foods that an individual can eat. For example, foods that could become lodged between the dental appliance and the roof of the mouth should be avoided (e.g., sunflower seeds).
• Are unstable, which can cause an individual to feel uncomfortable. In addition, the movement of the denture could result in an accidental slurring of words.

Although dentures, partials and flippers are less expensive than Dental Implants, they are also less effective.

Dental Implants:

• Maintain the integrity of the jawbone, which prevents the changes in the facial structure that frequently occur when there are teeth missing.
• Look and feel just like the natural teeth.
• Last a lifetime and require very little maintenance.
• Make it easy to bite and chew through any type of food.
• Offer stability because they are securely affixed to the recipient’s jawbone.
• Initially cost more, but offer the recipient an effective solution for his or her missing teeth.
• Dental Implants are the closest thing to having natural teeth, which makes them the ideal solution for tooth loss.

Although the monetary cost for dentures may be lower than the cost of implants, patients with removable dentures pay in other ways (e.g., discomfort, embarrassment due to slippage, etc.). Once the osseointegration process is complete, the implants are essentially part of the patient’s jawbone. Therefore, Dental Implants are a good investment.

Dental Implants in Virginia: An Effective Solution for Missing Teeth

When implants are placed by a surgeon who is experienced with this procedure, as long as the patient maintains the Dental Implants following placement, there is a 98 percent chance that they will never loosen.

Just like the natural roots of the teeth, implants can reinforce the structure of the jawbone. Whereas, a removable denture that is not held in place by implants adds no reinforcement to the patient’s jawbone, thus, allowing it to deteriorate. As the jawbone thins, the appearance of the face is negatively affected. For example, the loss of jawbone frequently causes the cheeks to appear as if they are sunken in, a characteristic that can add years to an individual’s face.

Today, when a patient needs multiple teeth replaced in the same area, instead of using individual crowns that are placed on single implants, bridges with fewer Dental Implants are used. Furthermore, when a full arch of teeth is required, a permanent bridge secured with implants can be used to replace the entire arch.

Implant-Supported, Removable Dentures

For patients who prefer to have a removable dental prosthesis, implant-supported, removable dentures are also available.

An Initial Consultation at the NOVA Dental Studio in Virginia

During this consultation, Dr. Michael J. Paesani reviews the patient’s medical information. He will also evaluate the patient’s gingival tissue and jawbone.

X-rays or a CT scan may be taken to determine how dense the patient’s jawbone is.

Even if the jawbone has thinned, grafts can be used to thicken the bone, thus, making Dental Implants possible.

Now Dr. Paesani has the information necessary to determine which tooth replacement option will serve the patient best.

Factors considered when determining the best tooth replacement options:

• The patient’s health status.
• The location of the missing tooth or teeth.
• The patient’s preferences.
• The quality and quantity of jawbone density at the location of the missing tooth or teeth.
• Treatment costs.

Implants are considered a conservative solution because missing teeth are replaced without altering or affecting adjacent teeth.

Since patients will receive anesthesia during the implant procedure, they need to bring a driver with them on the day of their implant procedure.

Dr. Michael J. Paesani Uses a Surgical Guide to Ensure Precise Placement of the Implant

At the NOVA Dental Studio, Dr. Michael J. Paesani uses a surgical guide when he is placing Dental Implants. This guide allows Dr. Paesani to place each of the patient’s implants at the ideal depth and angle. This precise placement provides his Dental Implant recipients with the most beautiful restoration possible.

Extractions and Immediate Implant Placement

Sometimes, following an extraction, Dr. Michael J. Paesani can perform what is referred to as an immediate implant placement. During this procedure, the existing tooth is extracted and then replaced with an implant during the same surgical session.

The Alveolar Bone Graft

Following an extraction, if the patient’s jawbone is too thin for immediate tooth replacement, an alveolar bone graft is performed. During this procedure, Dr. Paesani takes synthetic bone or the bone of a cadaver and places it where the jawbone has thinned.

The Onlay Bone Graft Procedure

Bone grafting involves acquiring a small piece of bone from another area of the body or placing synthetic bone with a grafting material beneath the gingival tissue in the areas where the bone is too thin.

Bonding Time Necessary for a Bone Graft

After a bone graft, the upper arch typically needs from five to six months to become stable and grafting in the lower arch takes about two or three months.

Preparing to Place the Dental Implant

To keep the patient comfortable, he or she usually receives twilight anesthesia. Once the patient is comfortable, the procedure begins.

Dr. Paesani carefully creates an incision in the patient’s gingival tissue at the location where the implant will be placed.

Using a special drill and a variety of drill bits, Dr. Paesani slowly creates an opening in the patient’s jawbone, which is where the implant is to be placed.

Placing the Implant and the Abutment

Once bonding is complete, Dr. Michael J. Paesani places the implant. At this time, a healing abutment may be placed as well. Now, before the permanent abutment and prosthesis can be placed, the post needs to osseointegrate with the jawbone.

When a front tooth, multiple front teeth or a full arch is being replaced, a temporary prosthesis is usually provided. And, upon request, Dr. Paesani can provide a temporary prosthesis for a back tooth or back teeth that are being replaced.

After a healing period, which can last from two to six months, Dr. Michael J. Paesani evaluates the implant to see how well the osseointegration process worked.

Testing Osseointegration and Creating the Impression

After the healing period, the implants are tested to make sure that the osseointegration was successful. After confirming its success, Dr. Paesani attaches the permanent abutment to the implant. After attaching this abutment, an impression is made. This impression is used to create the patient’s custom-designed dental prosthesis.

Placing a Single Dental Implant in Virginia

As long as the location where the implant is to be placed is free of infection and the jawbone is dense enough, the procedure can be performed, however, if the patient’s jawbone lacks density, Dr. Michael J. Paesani will use a bone graft to increase its thickness.

Replacing a Full Arch of Teeth

For many patients, Dr. Paesani can replace a full arch of teeth in a single visit.

If any of the patient’s natural teeth remain in the arch, Dr. Michael J. Paesani extracts them and smooths the bone around the areas where the implants are to be placed. As long as there is an adequate amount of jawbone present, the Dental implants are placed.

A full arch of teeth can be replaced with as few as four implants (i.e., All-on-4). Then, Dr. Paesani may attach healing abutments to the implants. The temporary bridge is attached to the implants via the healing abutments. To ensure the teeth are secure, Dr. Michael J. Paesani tightens the bridge to the abutments.

The patient wears this temporary appliance until healing is complete. Then, the patient’s custom-designed prosthesis can be created. Once the customized prosthesis is created, Dr. Paesani attaches the permanent abutments to the Dental Implants. Then, the permanent prosthesis is attached to the abutments.

What is the Follow-Up Care Like After Dental Implant Surgery?

Good oral hygiene practices can prevent the development of a condition referred to as peri-implantitis. If peri-implantitis is left untreated, the patient could lose the affected implant. A good oral hygiene regimen includes brushing twice a day in two-minute intervals, flossing at least once a day with the floss designed to weave between the prosthesis and the roof of the mouth.

Patients need to continue having their biannual exams and cleanings at the NOVA Dental Studio in Falls Church, Virginia. During the cleaning, calcified deposits that have accumulated around the implant are removed. In addition, Dr. Michael J. Paesani will examine the patient’s mouth. If the patient’s bite seems a bit off, Dr. Paesani can adjust the prosthesis to make sure that each implant will not have to withstand a heavy biting force.

Are There Any Potential Complications, Risks or Problems Associated with Dental Implants?

As with all surgical procedures, there is always the potential for complications to arise.

Potential complications include:

• Infection.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Poor implant positioning.
• Allergies to the products used during surgery.
• Damage to the nerves, blood vessels or teeth surrounding the location where the implant is being placed.
• Poor bone quality or quantity.

An experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon and custom-designed surgical plan for Dental Implants reduces the likelihood of a complication.

Although implants have a very high success rate (95 percent), in the event that a dental implant fails, a new implant can be placed after a certain amount of time has passed.

How Much Do Dental Implants in Virginia Cost?

The only way Dr. Michael J. Paesani can determine how much a patient’s Dental Implant procedure will cost is with an initial consultation.

Will My Dental Insurance Company Pay for My Dental Implants?

Currently, dental insurance companies are not paying for implants. However, some insurance companies will help with the crown portion of a dental implant.

Many patients in Virginia state that restoring their missing teeth with implants is one of the best decisions they have ever made. Once the procedure is complete, patients enjoy a beautiful, healthy, natural-looking smile.

To learn more about Dental Implants or the other tooth replacement options available at the NOVA Dental Studio, please call (703) 237-7725 or click here to fill out the online appointment request form. The NOVA Dental Studio is located at 200 Little Falls Street, #101, in Falls Church, Virginia.

 

Dental Services offered at our office