An Overview of Implant Placement

With the popularity of dental implants, it is a good idea to understand the dental implant procedure and the steps in dental implant placement, should you ever need to replace any missing teeth. Currently, more than three million dental implants are placed each year by a 

Periodontist or oral surgeon. At StarBrite Dental, we can offer the entire dental implant placement procedure in our own office, eliminating the need to move from the practitioner office to another. 


With our emphasis on patient comfort and our high standards for the quality of our care, StarBrite Dental is the perfect location for a dental implant replacement of any missing teeth.


Twelve Reasons People Love Dental Implants

Dental implants have quietly become the top choice for many people who have a missing tooth or who are missing all their natural teeth. As dental implant placement has been offered for more than 50 years, the dental implant procedure and the materials used have had time to become greatly refined. Therefore, the procedure has a very high rate of success. 


Dental implants that have integrated with the bone in your jaw are very strong and long-lasting. With the right maintenance care, you can expect your dental implant to last for the rest of your life. 


Here are some of the reasons dental implants have become so widespread:

  1. Dental implants look more like natural teeth than any other replacement method. 
  2. There is no dark edge like the one that can be seen on some dental bridges. 
  3. A person who chooses the dental implant procedure over dentures is not limited in the foods they can eat. Popcorn, crunchy apples, steak—these and many other foods that might be difficult or impossible for a person with dentures to eat can be consumed by a person with dental implants. 
  4. With the right care, they are permanent, not needing replacement every seven to ten years like a dental bridge. 
  5. A dental implant provides stimulus to the bone in the jaw, just like natural teeth. This helps keep this jaw bone solid and healthy. 
  6. As noted, the dental implant procedure has a high success rate.
  7. Dental implants help preserve the natural and youthful shape of a person’s face by strengthening the jaw bone and preventing bone loss. 
  8. Dental implants can be used to anchor bridges replacing multiple missing teeth in a row. 
  9. Four to six dental implants on the upper or lower arch can even be used to anchor complete dentures. 
  10. When dental implants anchor dentures, there is reduced slipping or movement of a denture. 
  11. A person with implant-supported dentures can eat and talk normally when the dental implant procedure is complete. 
  12. Implant-supported dentures sit on the implants, not the gums, eliminating sore spots or problems with dentures that don’t fit. 


Choosing the Right Dentist or Surgeon

When you’re looking for a practitioner for the dental implant procedure, you need to find a highly skilled dentist or surgeon that has been well-trained in this procedure. The success of this procedure partly depends on the skill of the surgeon or dentist you choose. Specialty training is vital and the more experience your dentist or surgeon has, the better. 


At StarBrite Dental in Rockville, Maryland, we have staffed our office with the most expert practitioners and support staff. From the front desk to your chairside assistant, and from your hygienist to your surgeon, each person who provides services has been chosen for their expertise. Then once they are part of the team, they are all extensively trained so they maintain the highest standards of both dentistry and service. 


It is all for your success when replacing a missing tooth. And it is all for your comfort, from the moment you walk in the door until you leave. We want you to get your questions answered and begin each procedure with confidence. Let us know how we can help.


Beginning the Dental Implant Procedure

The first thing we want you to understand is the dental implant procedure. When you know the steps ahead of time, you will know what to expect. You can be an active participant in your care and thus encounter no surprises. 


The first step in the dental implant procedure is a very important one. Your dentist will want to be sure that your bone, gums and natural teeth are in good health. If there is a natural tooth to be removed, this will, naturally, be done first. The bone in the area to receive dental implant surgery must be strong and healthy. If it is not, then a bone graft to encourage your body to grow stronger bone may need to be done first.


As further preparation, detailed imaging will be taken of your teeth and the surrounding bone. This examination will verify that your bone is strong and healthy enough to receive a dental implant and then heal well. Your dentist or surgeon will discuss what type of medication will be used to prepare you for this surgery, so you can be kept as comfortable as possible during the dental implant placement. 


There should be no gum disease, tooth or bone infections or decay that have not yet been addressed. Your dentist will also check that there are no health conditions that could prevent or slow healing once the implants have been placed. When your overall health and the health of your mouth have been confirmed, then the dental implant surgery can begin.



Steps in Dental Placement Procedure

Before your dental implant placement, please make sure you are familiar with the steps of the procedure. This familiarity will give you confidence as the procedure progresses. StarBrite Dental dentists and staff are very responsive to any questions patients might have so they can assist your comfort and confidence. Please let us know if you need any assistance understanding these steps. 

  1. The first step is completely numbing the area to receive the implant. 
  2. Next, the gum in the area to receive dental implant placement will be opened and a narrow opening will be drilled in the bone. There may be a few phases of drilling to prepare an opening of just the right width to allow the implant to be placed. 
  3. A threaded titanium post will be placed in this opening. It will be rotated until it is fully seated in this opening. 
  4. The gum in this area will be stitched back in place. 
  5. The implant will be allowed to heal until bone has integrated with the implant. This could be a matter of months. Imaging will enable your dentist to confirm that your implant is ready for the next step. 
  6. Next, the healing abutment will be placed. This is a metal piece that fits into the dental implant, that helps shape the gum tissue to prepare it for the crown to be placed. The gum will be opened slightly and the titanium abutment will be fit into the implant. The top of it may sit slightly above the gum line. The area around the abutment will be stitched closed and again allowed to heal. This surgery is much more minor than dental implant surgery.
  7. When healing is again complete, the crown (replacement tooth) will be prepared for placement. An impression will be taken using a new abutment and sent to a dental lab.
  8. The abutment will be removed. At this point, the implant has integrated with the bone and the gum has been shaped so that a natural gum line appears when the crown is placed. 
  9. Once the crown returns from the lab, the crown will be seated in the implant and abutment. At this point, the dental implant is complete.


Dental Implants for Dentures

When dentures are needed, implants can be placed that support or anchor the dentures for greater comfort and security. Of course, the first step would be to remove any unhealthy teeth that are still in the mouth. Bone grafts may be needed to strengthen the bone, just as with individual implants. 


Four to six dental implants will be placed in the upper or lower jaw to retain a complete denture on either arch. These will be allowed to heal. We can offer a temporary denture that can be worn during the healing period. 


As with individual implants, when the initial healing is complete, abutments will be placed. When this phase of healing is done, a denture will be created to fit into these implants and abutments. Finally, the dentures will be placed. 


Attaching the Dentures to the Dental Implants

Dentures can be attached to the implants in different ways. Some people prefer to have a snap-on denture that can be removed at home. Others may choose to have a permanently attached denture that only the dentist can remove. 


Each of these choices will be discussed with your skilled and experienced StarBrite Dental practitioner before your treatment plan is finalized. Your dentist will make recommendations based on their extensive training and care of hundreds of other cases. Your understanding is important to us and this is where you can get any questions answered and make your preferences known. Once you understand your choices and you and your dentist have agreed on your treatment, the process will begin. 


Another Option for Dental Implants

The versatility of the dental implant means that implants can be used to anchor dental bridges or partial dentures as well. Therefore, dental implants can support an individual tooth, a bridge to replace multiple teeth, a partial denture or a complete upper or lower denture.

After Dental Implant Surgery

When your dental implant surgery is done, you should be prepared to take it easy for a few days. It is best if you can take a few days off work and get help with children or chores. 


Your gum will be swollen and tender for a few days to a week. Dental implant surgery may cause your face and cheek to be puffy and there could be bruising of your gums or your cheek or jaw. 


To minimize complications after placement of dental implants, only eat soft foods and do not smoke or drink alcohol. There could be minor bleeding from the site for a day or so. Avoid hot, cold or spicy foods. 


Our Staff Will Guide You Through Your Recovery

We will provide thorough instructions on how to get through this period with the greatest comfort, including prescriptions for antibiotics or pain relievers, if you need them. Our dentists and surgeons have a very precise touch when placing dental implants. Therefore, many of our patients only need over-the-counter medications after their dental implants are placed. 


Some patients will need to return to the office about a week later to have stitches removed. In other cases, stitches may dissolve on their own. No matter what type of stitches you have, our concern for your well being means that we want to ensure that the surgical site is healing beautifully. 


Always let us know if you have any concerns after your implant placement. We will take any steps necessary to ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible throughout this process. Call on us if you are concerned about your pain or healing. 


StarBrite Dental in Rockville, Maryland Is Your Best Choice

From the very first day of operation, the founder and staff of StarBrite Dental have been dedicated to the highest levels of both quality and service to every patient. This concern extends from education to preventative care and all the way through dental implants and other advanced types of care. 


When you choose StarBrite Dental in Rockville, Maryland for your dental treatment, you have chosen the best. This is why we have patients drive in from many hours away. They have experienced our care and choose this superior level of skill and concern. 


If you need to replace missing teeth, please call us to learn more about your choices with dental implants. With this overview, you can now see what the entire process is like and make your best choice for a successful and permanent tooth replacement with a dental implant. 


To schedule an appointment at StarBrite Dental in Rockville, please call us at (301) 770-1070.