Dental Implants in Virginia Beach
Do you have an all-too-obvious gap in your smile caused by missing teeth? That gap is more than a cosmetic deterrent. Missing teeth can be at the root of other oral health problems, malnutrition and social anxiety. Whether you are missing teeth due to decay, gum disease or injury, replacing them is a must. Dental implants can be used to fix spaces caused by trauma or disease. Visiting the office at Smile by Design will further educate you on the restorative dentistry possibilities we have to offer our patients, including lifelike dental implants.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Once you’ve scheduled a consultation appointment with your Virginia Beach implant dentist, Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck will perform an examination to see if you qualify for dental implants. Most people are qualified candidates, but adequate jawbone strength and structure is necessary to support the implant. A bone graft procedure may be recommended if there isn’t enough bone density at the precise location where you need a dental implant.
The Dental Implant Process
One of the dentists at Smile by Design will refer you to a specialist for the initial phase of your dental implant procedure. During minor oral surgery, this specialist will insert a small titanium post into the bone to ensure that your new tooth is as strong as the teeth you already have. The beauty of a dental implant is that this post mimics the form and purpose of a natural tooth root. As you heal from your surgery, the post and surrounding bone tissue fuse together to create a firm anchor for the tooth restoration that will eventually be attached to the implant. Moreover, the implant ensures that your jaw remains healthy by stimulating it to generate new bone cells.
Once enough time has passed and your bone tissue has successfully joined with the post, your Smile by Design dentist will be able to attach your permanent new crown, which was handcrafted to match your other teeth in size and color. If you’d like to whiten your other teeth before your crown is attached, we have Zoom! whitening available to remove stains on your teeth.
Dental Implants Instead of Dentures
If you have strong gums and a solid jaw, uncomfortable social moments that can happen with false teeth could be a thing of the past with dental implants instead. Implants from Smile by Design can be used to anchor partial dentures or bridges to prevent them from slipping or sliding. It will also improve your speech by reducing slurring when you speak. Dental implants will fit as easily into your life as they do in your smile.
Contact us to make a consultation appointment for implant dentistry in Virginia Beach today. The dentists at Smile by Design have experience making over the smiles of patients from Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and Northeast Virginia. Please visit our cosmetic dentistry page for more information on ways that you can enhance your smile as well as your overall oral health.
