3505 Ellicott Mills Drive · Suite B2

Ellicott City, MD 21043

(410) 461-3311

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Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Get Back Your Brilliant Smile

Having a healthy-looking smile is one of the biggest components of a confident lifestyle. Being proud of your teeth is what allows you to eat, smile, laugh and talk comfortably without fear of judgment. As a result, many people with poor or damaged teeth opt for dental implants.

For seniors, dental implants can serve as an alternative to dentures.

Modern dental implant procedures have been performed successfully for over 30 years and are a very safe and predictable procedure, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Want to see if you’re a good candidate for Dental Implants? Request a free consultation appointment today.

Do I Need a Dental Implant?

Dental implants serve several purposes and may be the right option for you if you:

Have one or more missing teeth

Have a jawbone that's reached full growth

Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft

Have healthy oral tissues

Don't have health conditions that will affect bone healing

Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures

Want to improve your speech

Are willing to commit several months to the process

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out our other services!

What Are the Advantages of Implants Over Other Tooth Replacement Options?

  • Dental implants are non-removable and “freestanding,” i.e. they do not involve neighboring teeth
  • There is no natural tooth structure involved, so they can not get a cavity
  • They look & feel most like a natural tooth
  • Implants are the only option that replaces the root of the tooth, which helps prevent bone loss
  • They have the highest long-term success rate of any replacement option

Dental Implant Course

Ellicott Mills Dental's owner Dr. Ford recently completed a 125 hour course on dental implant placement. This included placing 30 implants in a variety of scenarios, from simple to complicated, to help hone her skills.

What is Used?

An implant replacement tooth is composed of three parts. There is the implant itself, which is embedded in the bone and replaces the root of the tooth. The crown is the portion you see in your mouth, and is the same as a crown on a natural tooth. A piece called an abutment screws into the implant and protrudes above the gums, serving as a base on which connects the crown to the implant.

Replacing a tooth with an implant is a multi-step process. If the natural tooth is still present, it would be extracted and most likely a bone graft would be placed. If the natural tooth has been previously removed, a graft may still be necessary to build up the bone to support the implant. It takes approximately three months for the graft to heal before the implant can be placed. Once the implant is placed, it must heal for 3-5 months before the abutment and crown can be made. The fabrication of the abutment and crown takes about a month.

Risks

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved. These risks tend to be rare and typically are minor and easily treatable. We will cover any risk-related questions or concerns during your initial consultation.

Post-Implant Treatment

After the procedure, patients can expect some minor bruising, swelling, pain and potentially some bleeding. Medications and antibiotics may be taken to try and reduce pain and swelling. Self-dissolving stitches are likely to be used, so be sure to eat soft foods after the procedure to allow the stitches to work.

Whether you’re looking to schedule a routine cleaning or to rejuvenate your smile with dental implants, the Ellicott Mills Dental staff is excited to create the perfect smile for you. Fill out our appointment request form or give us a call at 410-461-3311