Dental Implants – Henrico, VA

What are Dental Implants?

Regular teeth have roots and crowns. When they no longer exist, there is nothing to provide stimulation to the jawbone, which can lead to facial sagging, continued tooth loss, and eventual bone shrinkage. With dental implants, though, these titanium posts mimic tooth roots so that the bone continues to be stimulated, and healthy teeth remain in place thanks to the customized crown, bridge, or denture that rests on top.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Everyone who receives dental implants must complete the following four-step process:

• Initial Dental Implant Consultation: You will meet with Dr. Neal to discuss if dental implants are right for you. It may be that you require additional pre-implant treatments to better equip your smile for surgery.
• Dental Implant Surgery: Once you’re ready for oral surgery, we’ll refer you to a local specialist who will perform the procedure. Placing each implant in its appropriate spot, you’ll receive healing caps once the gum tissues are closed.
• Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment: Osseointegration must occur during the 3-6 months of recovery you’ll be expected to undergo. Once the bone and implant are fused, you’ll return to receive your metal abutments, which are small connectors that link the implant post to the restoration.
• Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s): The last phase of treatment is the placement of your customized crown, bridge, or denture. Once in place, you’ll be free to eat again, speak clearly, and smile with greater confidence.

Benefits of Dental Implants

You may be surprised to learn that dental implants offer far more benefits than other tooth replacement solutions. Although the goal to replace missing teeth is the same for dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants, the latter can last 30+ years or longer, make it easy to eat your favorite foods and speak with optimal clarity, require no additional products to keep clean, and they do not need to be replaced or adjusted every few years.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

If you are missing one or more teeth, you’ll be pleased to learn that dental implants can be a viable option for you. Whether you are cleared to immediately undergo minor oral surgery or additional treatments are needed to improve the state of your smile (i.e., periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, bone grafting, sinus lift, etc.), our team will put you on the path so that you are one step closer to enjoying life with dental implants.

Missing One Tooth

When just one tooth is missing, we can replace it using a titanium implant post, metal abutment, and customized dental crown. This will leave healthy teeth alone while filling in the gap left behind by your missing tooth. As a result, you will be able to eat freely once again and have greater confidence to smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Whether you’re facing consecutive or non-consecutive missing teeth, our team can provide an implant bridge or implant partial to fill in the gaps. Using two dental implant posts, we can apply the appropriate restoration on top to deliver the type of treatment you need to feel good about the way your smile looks.

Missing All of Your Teeth

If the upper or lower arch is without a full set of teeth, you can turn to implant dentures to boost your appearance and oral health. Placing between four and six dental implant posts, we will ensure your jawbone is dense enough to support the prosthetics before the customized denture is placed on top. Based on your preference, this can be a removable or fixed restoration.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

When it comes to the cost of dental implants, it is necessary to undergo a thorough consultation with Dr. Neal. This visit will allow our team to determine how many teeth are missing, the type of restoration you will need, the complexity of your tooth loss, if you require any preliminary treatments, and how you plan to pay for your new smile. Our team will go over the financials with you during your initial visit.