Dental Implants in Tysons Corner and Vienna

Dental implant technology allows patients to embrace beautiful new smiles that can last as long as a lifetime.

Dental implant technology has revolutionized restorative dentistry. The versatility of dental implants is unparalleled and can be used to restore smiles with many different needs. Dental implants can be used to replace single missing teeth, or help secure bridges and dentures. Dental implants are safe, effective and the results last longer than any other restorative dental procedure. And, restoration looks and feels as comfortable as your healthy natural teeth. Dr. Naik will have you smiling in no time!

what is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium piece of hardware that resembles a screw. The implant hardware is surgically placed into the jawbone. The purpose of dental implants is to replace the tooth root of a missing tooth or teeth. The implant provides a strong and natural feeling foundation for prosthetic teeth or other dental work. With dental implants, replacement teeth feel as comfortable and act as functionally well as your natural teeth. Let’s restore your smile and restore your confidence with dental implants.

The implant surgery procedure itself can be done in one visit and more than one dental implant can be placed in one visit at our local Vienna office. After the area has been prepped and anesthesia has been delivered, a small incision will be made in the gum and the implant will be screwed into the jawbone. Then the gum will be stitched closed. After the initial implant surgery, the area will need time to heal. During these few healing months, the implant will naturally fuse with the jawbone, creating a strong bond. At the end of the healing process an abutment will be placed on the implant, serving as a base for the new tooth or other restorative dental structure.

benefits of dental implants

Dental implants have a lot of great benefits which may make them a great choice for you, especially compared to alternative treatments like dental bridges and dentures. Here are just a few of them. 

• Long lifespan – Dental implants have a typical lifespan of over 30 years, and many patients are able to keep their dental implants for the rest of their lives as long as they maintain good oral hygiene. And while they may be expensive up-front, their long lifespan means they may be cheaper than other methods of tooth restoration in the long run.
• Completely natural look & feel – The two-part design of a dental implant closely imitates the natural anatomy of a tooth, and we use the latest technology at the office of Dr. Priti Naik to create lifelike, beautiful teeth that will fit perfectly into your mouth. In addition, your implant will never move or shift when you eat or speak, unlike dentures, making implants feel much more natural.
• Minimal maintenance required – For single-tooth implants, all you have to treat the implant like a natural tooth! Brush the crown and implant along with the rest of your teeth twice a day. Care is a bit more involved for implant-supported bridges and full-mouth implant dentures, but is still quite simple.
• Supports jaw bone health – Unlike partial dentures or dental bridges, implants are fixed directly into your jaw. This means when you bite and chew, you send force into your jaw bone, which prevents “bone resorption.” This is a type of bone loss that happens after you lose a tooth and the jaw bone is no longer stimulated. With implants, you can avoid this issue altogether.
• Restore any number of teeth – Dental implants and implant-supported restorations can be used to restore one tooth, several teeth, or your entire mouth, so they are very versatile.

What Types of Dental Implants Are Available?

There are a few different types of dental implants that are used to restore missing teeth. Endosteal implants are, by far, the most widely-used type of dental implant. The word “endosteal” means “in the bone.” This type of implant is made out of titanium and is usually shaped like a screw. Endosteal implants are surgically implanted directly into the bone and gum where your missing tooth used to be. Over time, this type of implant will bond with the surrounding tissue. Once this process, called “osseointegration” is complete, the tooth is used as an artificial root to support an implant-supported restoration like a dental crown.
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A commonly-used subtype of endosteal implants are called “mini implants.” Mini implants are placed in the gums and jaw similarly to endosteal implants, but they are much smaller and thinner. This means they can be used even in patients who may not have a strong enough jaw for a larger endosteal implant. Usually, they are not used to support a single-tooth restoration. Instead, multiple mini implants are used to support an implant-supported bridge or denture.
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Subperiosteal implants are also sometimes used to restore teeth, but not as frequently as endosteal implants. This type of implant is made out of a metal framework that is placed under the gums but above the jaw bone. It has multiple posts that stick out through the gum tissue, allowing dental restorations to be placed. This type of implant can be used even for patients who have lost much of their jaw bone mass, but the surgery is very invasive and has a high risk of complications compared to endosteal implants.

What Can I Expect From the Dental Implant Procedure?

The dental implant process usually takes between 6-8 months for healthy patients who do not need additional pre-treatment surgeries like tooth extractions, alveoloplasty, or bone grafts. These surgeries may add more time to the process.
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To begin the process, you will need to see Dr. Priti Naik for a consultation, where she will perform a comprehensive oral exam and determine if you’re a good candidate for treatment. If you’re approved, she will begin creating your surgical plan.
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At your next appointment, Dr. Naik will perform your dental implant surgery. She will start by cleaning and numbing the area, and administering sedation, if desired. Then, she will make a small opening in the gums and jaw bone, and insert the implant precisely based on your surgical plan. Then, the area will be cleaned and sutured shut, and you’ll be sent home to heal. 
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It will take 1-2 weeks to heal from the initial surgery, but your implant will need 3-6 months to fuse with your jaw in the process known as “osseointegration.” Your implant restoration, such as a crown, cannot be placed until osseointegration has taken place.
During the healing process, you’ll come in for a few follow-ups to check your progress, and Dr. Naik will also begin making your dental implant restoration, such as a dental crown.
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At your final appointment, you’ll come into our office and Dr. Naik will check the fit of your implant restoration. Then, she will bond it in place permanently to your dental implant, completing the procedure. 

Is Bleeding Normal After Placement?

Bleeding after receiving dental implants is completely normal. You have just had an oral surgery in which we opened your gums. Gauze will be placed at the site of your dental implant after surgery and you will need to bite down for about 30-60 minutes.

If bleeding persists, you’ll need to keep changing your gauze before it becomes soaked. Make sure the gauze is damp. Another option is to bite down on a wet caffeinated tea bag. The tannic acid will help stop the bleeding. Some mild bleeding may continue for 48-72 hours.

However, if bleeding persists beyond this point or is excessive, you should contact us right away. The most important part of your recovery is to form blood clots at the implant site and to avoid dislodging them which can cause a dry socket.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

This depends on a wide variety of different factors, such as whether you want to be sedated during the procedure, the location of your missing tooth, and the need for additional pre-implant procedures like tooth extractions and alveoloplasty. If you’re located in Tysons Corner, Vienna, or McLean, we recommend getting in touch with the office of Dr. Priti Naik for a dental implant consultation today!

When Should I Invest in Dental Implants?

The best time to invest in dental implants is as soon as you lose a tooth. If you’re having a tooth extracted, you should plan to replace it with a dental implant. Dental implants are the only tooth restoration that can preserve the jaw bone and prevent bone loss. Other restorations such as dentures accelerate bone loss.

It’s important to replace a missing tooth right away. Otherwise, your other teeth will shift and lean into the space where your old tooth used to be and you won’t have space to place a tooth restoration. This can also lead to orthodontic problems like crooked teeth.

Your facial structure can change due to bone loss which can lead to premature facial sagging. By placing an implant right away, you can avoid these permanent changes and make it easier to chew, speak, and fill in gaps in your smile.

What Is the Recovery Process Like?

In the first 24 hours, you can expect bleeding and some tenderness. You should take it easy and rest. Stick to only soft foods, do not brush or floss around the implant. Do not rinse or swish anything around in your mouth and do not spit.

By the second day, you should rinse your mouth 3 times a day with a lukewarm salt water rinse. You will also be prescribed an antibacterial mouthwash. The swelling will peak about 2-3 days after implant placement.

To relieve swelling, you should apply a cold compress to the area for about 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off and keep your head elevated. Drink plenty of fluids. You will need to eat soft foods for a few days until you get the approval to introduce more solid and chewier foods, likely within a week.

Don’t drink through a straw or smoke, both of which can dislodge blood clots. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication to relieve any pain. It will take about 2 weeks to heal but 3-6 months for osseointegration to be complete.

Dental Implants From Priti naiks DDS

Dr. Naik believes everyone should feel proud to show off their pearly whites! If you are missing teeth, dental implant surgery may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Dr. Naik partners with a highly qualified dental implant surgeon who will place the implant hardware. Afterward, Dr. Naik will restore your teeth with custom crowns, transforming your smile– all in one office. A comprehensive evaluation by Dr. Priti Naik and her knowledgeable staff will determine your eligibility for dental implants. Feel free to contact the office with any questions and set up an appointment at (703) 288-1800. The team serves multiple areas including Vienna, Tysons Corner, Falls Church, we’ll have you smiling in no time!