Dental Implants – Leesburg, VA

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before we can start with any treatment, we need to meet with you in person for several reasons. First, we have to make sure you are a good candidate for implants with a thorough examination. This consultation appointment also enables us to plan the procedure, so we can be as efficient as possible. If we find that you require preliminary work, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy, we can take care of it prior to your implant placement procedure to give you the best chances of success.

Dental Implant Surgery

When it comes to the implant treatment, Dr. McBryde can handle basically every step of the process in our office, including the actual placement surgery itself. In this procedure, we start by numbing the mouth so the patient is comfortable and completely relaxed. She then makes a small incision in the gum tissue and inserts the implant post(s) into the jawbone. After that, she closes the gums up and instructs the patient to go home and rest for a day or two.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Even after you return to normal activities a few days after placement procedure, you haven’t necessarily finished healing. Next, we will need to wait several months, typically between three and six, for the jawbone to envelop the implant post. This new bone growth, in a process called osseointegration, is critical for the implants to be secure. After osseointegration is complete, Dr. McBryde will then put an abutment or connection piece on the post and take impressions of your arches.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

With the abutment in place, we send your impressions to our dental lab, where technicians craft your restoration(s) to fit your unique mouth. Whether you’re receiving a crown, bridge, or dentures, your restorations are completely customized and designed to look as natural and stunning as possible. When the final product is ready, you’ll come back to our Leesburg office for Dr. McBryde to bond the restoration into place.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Dental implants are able to restore all of a person’s bite strength and chewing power, which means there are no food restrictions, so a nutrient-rich diet is possible.
• These permanent prosthetics are more natural-looking than other restorations because of the high-quality materials used by lab technicians. They’ll blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
• Dental implants in Leesburg offer easy maintenance. You just brush and floss like normal, only you will need to use non-abrasive toothpaste to keep from scratching your customized restorations.
• You’ll notice clearer speech because of your fully restored smile. Not to mention, dental implants allow you to feel confident when gathering with friends, family, and colleagues. While 34% of denture-wearers claim they are unable to live life to the fullest because of their teeth, you can embrace a better life because of your stable and secure dental implants.

Health Benefits

• Unlike dental bridges that require your dentist to alter healthy abutment teeth to serve as anchors for the bridge, dental implants anchor to the jawbone, so your remaining teeth are untouched.
• By placing dental implants into the jawbone, they offer continuous stimulation, keeping your bone strong and minimizing your risk for facial collapse over time.
• Dental drift is often a concern when it comes to missing teeth. Natural teeth will begin to shift out of alignment in an attempt to close the gap. However, with dental implants, your natural teeth will remain in place.
• Tooth loss is commonly linked to many overall health problems, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Because the number of teeth you have can determine your lifespan, replacing your missing teeth with dental implants helps to lower your risk of systemic diseases that can reduce how long you can expect to live.

Long-Term Benefits

• The success rate for implant placement is typically 95%. But this is only possible if you choose an implant dentist in Leesburg who has the knowledge, training, and experience. After 10 years, with proper care, your implant success rate will likely range between 90-95%.
• They have a 30+ year lifespan (regular dentures and bridges tend to last 7-10 years). Some cases prove they can last a lifetime!
• You’ll save money by choosing dental implants. Although the cost is more upfront, you won’t be required to buy denture adhesives, special cleaning supplies, or have your teeth replaced every few years.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

In order to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, Dr. McBryde will conduct a thorough examination and discuss your medical history with you at length. Generally speaking, candidates for dental implants:

• Have a strong jawbone. If your bone is not currently able to support dental implants, you may need to undergo a bone graft.
• Are in fair overall health. You should be well enough to undergo minor surgery.
• Are free of active gum disease. Gum disease can interfere with the success of dental implants, so it is important that you receive treatment for any active gum infections.

Missing One Tooth

Rather than filing down remaining teeth to make room for a bridge, we can place a single implant into the jawbone. After you heal and the implant bonds with the surrounding tissue, we can top it with a crown. The crown will be custom shaded and shaped to perfectly blend with the rest of your smile.

Single-tooth implants tend to be stronger and last longer than traditional dental bridges. They also look and feel as natural as possible. You might even forget you ever had a missing tooth!

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you have two missing teeth in a row, we might be able to place just one implant. It can support a crown and a pontic (artificial tooth) to fill in the empty space. If you have three or more missing teeth, we may place a dental implant at each end of the gap. Crowns and pontics will complete your smile.

If your missing teeth are not adjacent to one another, we can explore other options. For example, you might receive multiple single-tooth implants or an implant-supported partial denture. We will customize your treatment plan according to your unique circumstances and needs.

Missing All Teeth

An entire row of teeth can be replaced with just four to six implants, which will serve as the foundation of a full denture. Implant dentures are comfortable, can enable you to eat whatever you like, and maintain their day-one fit for several years.

There are a couple of different types of implant dentures. Some patients prefer a removable option, which can snap onto and off of small attachments in the mouth. Others opt for a permanent denture, which can only be removed by a dental professional. Each option comes with its own set of benefits.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Your dental implant consultation will consist of a full examination using advanced dental technology. The compiled images will give Dr. McBryde the information needed to determine if you require preliminary treatments before receiving dental implants. These procedures may include bone grafting, periodontal therapy, a sinus lift, or tooth extraction. If you require one or more, you can expect these to be added to the total cost of your care.

Also, your dental implant surgery will incur its own fee. Since Dr. McBryde only restores dental implants, she will refer you to a local surgeon who will place your implant posts. As a result, you’ll be required to pay a separate fee to the implant dentist in Leesburg.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

You may not realize it, but the parts of your dental implant make up part of your overall cost estimate. When breaking down the individual components, you can easily see how the more you receive, the higher you can expect to pay:

• The number of implant posts you will need – A single dental implant costs less than four or six needed for a full implant denture.
• The materials used – Most dental implants in Leesburg are made from titanium or zirconia. Each will have its own cost.
• The type of restoration – It is cheaper to create a single dental crown than a full denture, but when you consider the extended cost of a traditional denture, you’ll save money by choosing one that is held into place by implants.
• The brand – Your dentist will decide the brand and manufacturer they use when choosing dental implants. While there are cheaper options available, you will find the quality you receive is based on how much you pay. Remember, cheaper isn’t always better.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants are an investment in your time and money. But if you consider how much you can expect to pay with traditional dentures or dental bridges over a series of decades, you’ll find it is actually much cheaper to go with permanent prosthetics.

Not only will you avoid having to buy dental adhesives, but you won’t require soaking cleaners or regular adjustments and replacements. Dental bridges and dentures must be replaced every 5-7 years (maybe longer).

Also, should you develop a health-related condition that can form as a result of tooth loss (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.), you will be faced with the costs associated with treating these issues. With dental implants, your risk for these diseases and conditions lowers.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

If you’re enrolled with one of the dental insurance companies that now offer coverage for dental implants, you’re very lucky. Most insurers do not provide coverage for this type of tooth replacement, as they view it as a “want” and not a “need.” However, if your insurance company will not cover the cost of your surgical procedure, they may agree to pay for your initial consultation, preliminary treatments, or your customized restoration.

Our team will be happy to assist in helping you maximize your available benefits so that you get the most out of your plan while keeping your out-of-pocket expenses low.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

To help keep the cost of dental implants more affordable, we are happy to offer our patients two additional ways to pay for treatment:

• If you are uninsured, you can enroll in our All Smiles Leesburg In-House Membership Plan. For one, low annual fee, you can access a host of benefits as well as discounts on available services.
• If you need help to pay the remaining balance of your dental implant treatment, you can apply for flexible financing through CareCredit. By opting for a low or zero interest plan, you can keep your payments within your budget.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After undergoing dental implant placement, you’ll need to take care of the blood clot that is meant to form around the surgical site. Not only should you get plenty of rest after your appointment, but you’ll also want to avoid touching or disturbing the area or gums surrounding the metal post. Be sure to avoid:

• Using your fingers or tongue to touch the implant
• Drinking through a straw
• Smoking or using tobacco
• Resting without elevating your head

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

Most oral surgeries will come with certain symptoms afterward, many of them normal and not disconcerting, such as intermittent bleeding, mild swelling, and discomfort. This is because they typically go away on their own after some time. However, should your condition worsen, make sure to notify our team right away for help. In the meantime, remember to:

• Apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean washcloth for any bleeding
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to relieve swelling
• Take over-the-counter/prescribed pain relievers to minimize discomfort

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

Following your dental implant surgery, you’ll have to implement a soft food diet to prevent any interruptions in your recovery. Over time, you can introduce more solid meals after your implants have fully integrated with your jawbone. Until then, make sure to stick to the following kinds of foods:

• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Pasta
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Ice cream

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

Ensuring your mouth is clean after your surgery is critical for the success of your implants. The last thing you want is to develop gum disease or an infection around the jawbone that can risk failure. For this reason, you want to make sure to:

• Brush your teeth like normal 24 hours after your surgery, being extra careful around the implant site.
• Avoid using alcoholic mouthwash, which can be uncomfortable.
• Rinse with salt water 2-3 times daily, especially after eating. Don’t spit the water out; allow it to pour from your mouth.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

After you’ve completely healed and the implant is fully integrated into the jawbone, you’ll return to us to receive your new crown, bridge, or denture. Once we’ve confirmed that your bite is correct and that the results are satisfactory, you’ll be free to enjoy your renewed smile. If you notice any issues like bleeding or inflammation that worsen or persist for too long, come back to us so we can resolve the issue.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

You are probably already brushing and flossing at least two times a day. Once your dental implants are in place, you should get in the habit of cleaning them the same way you would the rest of your smile. After all, you might not have to worry about the implant posts developing cavities, but the tissues around them could still become infected. Thus, it’s important to make a point of continuing the best practices for oral hygiene.

Eat a Healthy Diet

While dental implants will let you eat anything you want, it’s still important to go out of your way to maintain a healthy diet. Try to minimize your consumption of sugary and starchy foods that can cause problems for your dental implants as well as the rest of your smile. Meanwhile, you should go out of your way to eat more fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean proteins. All of these foods can go a long way toward promoting better oral health overall, which can only be good news for your implant posts.

Break Bad Habits

If you’re not careful with your dental implants, you may end up damaging them. Take note of any bad habits that can put dental implants at risk; common examples include chewing fingernails, crunching ice or hard candies, smoking, and using your teeth to open packages. It’s important to break these habits as soon as possible. One strategy is to replace the bad habit with a less harmful one. For example, if you bite your fingernails, you can carry sugar-free gum to chew on instead.

Protect Your Dental Implants

When playing any sort of sport that carries a risk of getting hit in the face or mouth, you need to make sure that your dental implants and your natural teeth are properly protected. As such, you should always wear a mouthguard when engaging in athletic activities regardless of whether one is required. Additionally, if you grind your teeth at night, you should get in the habit of wearing a nightguard whenever you go to bed.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Naturally, you can count on us to help you make sure that your dental implants are getting the care they need. You should visit our office at least once every six months for a routine checkup. We can take a careful look at your dental implants and the tissues around them to make sure that they’re still in good shape.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The lifespan of dental implants typically will depend on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that your implants last, be sure to brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash on a daily basis. Attend your regular cleanings and checkups, and avoid chewing on anything particularly hard or sticky. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last upwards of 30 years. That’s several times longer than traditional dentures or bridges.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

For most patients who have good overall health, dental implants are very successful when placed by a qualified professional. If you have low jawbone density or gum disease, these issues will need to be addressed first to make your surgery safer and more successful. If you have diabetes, cancer, or another medical condition that could make either your surgery or healing process risky, we will discuss them during your initial consultation. Your health is our number one priority!

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

Most people’s jawbones aren’t fully developed until young adulthood. If dental implants are placed before the jaw has finished growing, it could interfere with further bone development and potentially result in complications in the futures. That’s why most dentists don’t place implants in patients who are younger than 18. Some people need to wait until their mid-20s to have a fully developed jawbone. During your consultation, we can discuss whether or not you are ready for dental implants.

How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?

This will depend on how many implants you are receiving at once. Generally, if you are only getting one implant, this will take between one and two hours. This includes the time needed to administer anesthesia and dress you for a sterile surgical atmosphere. If you are getting multiple implants, this process will take longer.