Nov
Major tooth loss can be disconcerting. Your smile, which was once healthy and whole, is left in shambles. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the end of your story! At Asuncion Dental Group in Frederick, Maryland, we can rebuild your smile with implants to restore its former glory. Here are some of the questions Dr. Frederick Asuncion gets asked frequently about dental implants.
Dental implants are small titanium or ceramic posts placed inside your jawbone through implant surgery to replace lost tooth roots. They integrate with your jawbone permanently to support your new teeth. When the integration process is complete, Dr. Asuncion will top the implants with abutments (connectors) and affix a crown, bridge, or denture to the abutments to make your smile whole again.
Implants replace your whole tooth structure, crown, and roots to give your smile a natural, lifelike appearance. Your new teeth are supported by artificial tooth roots, which keep them secure in your mouth when you bite and chew. With implants, you can eat what you like, even crunchy, chewy, and crispy foods! You can also talk and laugh confidently, knowing your teeth won’t come loose! Implant teeth are easy to care for. You just brush and floss them like natural teeth and see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
If you’re replacing a row of upper or lower teeth with implants, Dr. Asuncion may recommend all-on-4 implant treatment. All-on-4 implants support an entire arch of teeth using dentures as restorations and four implants placed in key locations in your jaw.
Implant treatment can take anywhere between four and nine months to complete, depending on the complexity of your treatment. That’s because the implants need time to fuse with your bone system. If you’re in good health and have good bone density, Dr. Asuncion may be able to extract your teeth and place your implants on the same day. We can also put temporary restorations in place while you’re waiting for your implants to heal.
If you’re worried about pain, let us allay your fears. Implant treatment is done under anesthesia to avoid pain and discomfort. You can also request sedation to help you stay calm and comfortable during your procedure. OTC pain medication and ice packs can help relieve any pain you feel in the first few days after implant placement.
Titanium implants can last a lifetime with proper oral care, while porcelain restorations can last 10 to 15 years. Implants are a long-term investment in restoring the health and beauty of your smile.
Dr. Frederick Asuncion from Asuncion Dental Group is your implant dentist in the Frederick, MD, area. New patients can contact us at (301) 690-8482, and existing patients can call (301) 620-8882 to learn more about our implant treatments.