Dental Implants in Great Bridge, VA
Missing teeth create more problems than a noticeable gap in your smile. It’s bad enough that eating certain foods is difficult, but missing teeth can also lead to discomfort and make you so self-conscious that you want to hide your smile.
The dental team at Bennett A. Thomas, DDS and Associates cares about your oral health and well-being, but we also want you to feel happy and confident about your smile. Dental implants at our Great Bridge Chesapeake, VA dental office allow us to help you achieve both.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
We often use full or partial dentures to replace missing teeth, and they are still an excellent solution for many people. However, they come with their own inconveniences like discomfort and unpredictable movement. But our state-of-the-art dental implants eliminate the typical problems associated with dentures.
Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard for tooth replacement. There’s nothing healthier than natural teeth, of course, but dental implants are so similar in form and function that they make an excellent tooth replacement.
The secret to the success of dental implants is a titanium replacement root. Once the implant heals in your jaw, it functions just like a natural root, which is important for a couple of reasons:
Provides the Ultimate in Stability
Dental bridges and full and partial dentures are types of tooth replacement that solve the aesthetic problem, but they sit on top of your gums.
However, once the dental implant post heals in your jaw, it acts just like a natural tooth root and becomes part of your dental anatomy. Our dentists then attach a restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture to restore full chewing function and appearance.
Dental Implants Maintain Jaw Health
When a missing tooth and its root are not replaced with a dental implant, the bone in your jaw starts to resorb or shrink back into the body. In the first year alone, about 25 percent of bone is lost. As the bone deteriorates, it threatens the stability of neighboring teeth and also gives your face a drawn or sunken appearance.
A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium replacement root that helps keep the bone in your jaw healthy. Over several months, the implant post integrates with the bone and tissue around it to hold surrounding teeth securely in place and protect the integrity of bone in your jaw.
Three Steps for Placing a Dental Implant
- Drs. Thomas, Thomas, and Holwick work with top implant specialists in our area who place the implant post in your jaw during an in-office procedure that takes about an hour. The post is left to heal for several months, and during that time, we will monitor your progress.
- When the healing process is complete, and the implant post has fully integrated with your jaw, we attach a connector piece called the abutment. The abutment will be used to connect the implant in your jaw to the restoration that shows when you smile.
- In preparation for the third step, we’ll explain all your options for restoration and help you choose the type that’s most appropriate for you. Then our dentists will create your customized dental prosthetic to blend seamlessly with your smile.
Personalized Patient Care
No two cases or patients have the same needs, so our team is here to provide the information and personalized attention you deserve for your unique situation. We will perform a thorough evaluation, develop a detailed plan for treatment, and review insurance and financing to make sure your treatment fits your budget.
If you’re tired of sacrificing your comfort and appearance, please call our Great Bridge Chesapeake dental office at (757) 548-3238 to arrange an appointment with one of our dentists.
