Dental Implants in Gaithersburg MD

Serving the Gaithersburg, MD community

At Lakeforest Dental Associates, we provide proactive preventive dentistry to protect our patients' teeth, so that they can keep them for a lifetime.

In spite of our best efforts, however, sometimes a tooth suffers from deep decay, infection, or a fracture too severe to repair. If our only option for a troubled tooth is extraction, we will recommend replacing the missing tooth with our treatment options at our Gaithersburg dental office such as dental implants, to restore our patients' smiles and protect their health.

Dental implants aren’t new, but many people are still unclear about what they are and how they work. Here are several of the questions we hear most often, but we’re always available if you have a concern you don’t see here.

Please call us at (301) 330-8787 to arrange a dental implant appointment to get started.

• What are the benefits of choosing dental implants?
• What’s the process like for getting dental implants?
• Does dental implant surgery hurt?
• How long does it take for a dental implant to heal?
• Do dental implants look like real teeth?
• What are implant-supported dentures?
• Are dental implants permanent?
• Who should get dental implants?
• Does insurance cover dental implants?

What are the benefits of choosing dental implants?

Dentists consider dental implants to be the "gold standard" of tooth replacement because they offer numerous oral health benefits:

• Bone retention
• Bite stability
• Unrestricted food choices

Dental implants placed at our Gaithersburg dental office are the tooth replacement option that is most like your natural teeth and includes a post placed in your jaw to mimic the missing tooth root. It will integrate with your jawbone and stimulate regeneration, just like a natural tooth. Because we close the gap in your smile with your dental implant, it will keep your remaining teeth from shifting.

You can eat all the foods you love with your dental implant. You should avoid things like chewing ice, however, which can also damage your natural teeth.

What’s the process like for getting dental implants?

Getting a dental implant will require a few steps to complete.

• Surgery – First, Dr. Neil Daftary or Dr. Robert Zaner will locate the ideal placement for the dental implant. Having enough bone is essential to provide adequate support. We will make sure your dental implant surgery is comfortable. If you need a little help to relax, we are pleased to offer gentle sedation with nitrous oxide. Most patients recover quickly and report only mild discomfort right after treatment.
• Healing – The dental implant will need time to heal and integrate with your bone. This process takes 3-4 months and is an essential part of the success of your treatment.
• Restoration – We will design a dental implant crown just for you, taking into account the proper size for comfort, as well as the appropriate appearance to match your other teeth.

If you have questions about dental implants, please call our Gaithersburg dentists to arrange an appointment.

Does dental implant surgery hurt?

We understand that surgically placing a dental implant into the jawbone sounds like an intense experience. However, patients at our Gaithersburg dental office report that the process was much easier than a dental extraction.

Placing a dental implant doesn’t cause severe discomfort because there are few nerves in the bone that would cause pain. It also helps to have experienced dentists like Dr. Daftary and Dr. Zaner perform the procedure. They plan the exact placement of your implant before surgery, so they know what to expect before they begin.

We also offer nitrous oxide that will help take the edge off any anxiety you experience. With comforting sedation and a team that puts your needs first, you can expect a comfortable, stress-free experience.

How long does it take for a dental implant to heal?

Our mouths heal quite quickly, but our team will review ways to promote faster healing. They’ll talk to you about post-procedure care and how to handle any discomfort. Most people quickly find the relief they need with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen.

The surgical site should heal in a couple of weeks, and then we need to allow three to six months for the implant to integrate fully with the bone in your jaw. Patience is a virtue, and this is a critical step in the implant process. Allowing the implant to heal completely before adding a restoration like a crown or bridge ensures that your implant will withstand the force of chewing.

Do dental implants look like real teeth?

Every smile is important to us!

By choosing to replace missing teeth with dental implants, our patients can enjoy a uniform, natural-looking smile that others will admire.

Each dental implant crown placed at our Gaithersburg dental office is designed just for you and will blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. Since they integrate with your natural bone, they will also provide confidence because of their stability.

What are implant-supported dentures?

Full and partial dentures have helped millions of people enjoy a whole and healthy smile. But since dentures sit on top of the bone, they come with inherent problems. They tend to be unstable, which can cause irritation and discomfort. Dentures can also slip and shift unpredictably making for awkward and embarrassing moments when interacting with others.

But dentures supported with dental implants are as close in form, function, and feel as possible to natural teeth. If you’re getting a full denture, we can place several implants along your jaw to hold it securely in place. Partial dentures are designed to fit in and around remaining teeth and can also be secured in place with dental implants.

Are dental implants permanent?

Since dental implants in Gaithersburg, MD, replace the root of a missing tooth, they are an ideal long-term solution. With proper care that includes preventive dental exams and cleanings and excellent oral hygiene at home, your dental implant should last a lifetime.

The biggest threat to the longevity of your implant is untreated gum disease that attacks the bone in your jaw. Without sufficient bone to support it, the dental implant loses its stability and can ultimately fail.

When you get a dental implant, you must make a lifelong commitment to excellent oral health. You must be sure to brush twice a day and floss once, visit Lakeforest Dental Associates for routine visits for dental exams and cleanings, and eat a healthy diet.

Who should get dental implants?

If you want to see if dental implants are the right solution for you, the first step is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daftary or Dr. Zaner. They will take digital x-rays to determine if there is sufficient dense bone in the area where we plan to place the implant. If they detect bone loss, they may recommend an additional procedure such as bone grafting or a sinus lift to support your implant adequately.

Our Gaithersburg dentists will also make sure that periodontal disease does is not present. An untreated gum infection can reduce the success of your dental implant.

Finally, a medical history review will determine if you are healthy enough for surgery and will reveal any medication, such as bisphosphonates, which can interfere with the healing of the jawbone

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward yes-or-no answer to this question. Some insurance companies cover the cost of an implant, but most don’t. However, they may cover a portion of the cost of tooth extraction (if necessary) and your restoration whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture.

The first step is to contact your insurance provider and ask what portion of the dental implant cost they will cover. If you need assistance, please call our Gaithersburg dental office, and a member of our team will be happy to help you.