What Are Dental Implants?

Dental technology has advanced to the point that your family dentist can now offer you a teeth replacement option that is permanent, and so sturdy that no slippage as possible, as sometimes happens with dentures.


Dental implants have revolutionized dentistry by providing patients with a highly appealing cosmetic and functional solution to missing teeth.

What Is a Dental Implant?

An implant is a structure made up of three elements: a metal screw, an abutment and a dental crown. Taken together, this provides a superior tooth replacement option for most patients.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants provide numerous benefits that make them a superior treatment option for most patients. Some of these benefits include:


  • Dental implants are connected directly to your jawbone, making them extremely rugged and sturdy.
  • Long life. If you care for your new implant correctly, you can expect it to last for a lifetime. Contrast this with dentures or bridges that only last for a few years.
  • Prevents bone loss. The artificial tooth root encourages your jawbone to retain bone mass in the area of the implant.
  • Prevents facial changes. Going for a while with a missing tooth leads to a process called bone resorption in which the bone melts away, which can cause a sunken-in facial appearance.


Another key benefit of getting a dental implant is that an implant will prevent teeth from shifting into the empty space left by your missing tooth.

Additional Benefits

One great thing about dental implants is that you won’t have to change much about your regular dental routine at home. Since implants are directly fused to your jawbone, you will care for them just as you do with natural teeth. No special cleaning techniques or additional steps are necessary.


The key point to remember is that implants are almost indestructible, but you must still care for your teeth and gums to prevent gum disease from setting in. You can lose a dental implant to gum disease the same way that you could with a natural tooth.

What Happens During a Dental Implant Procedure?

The procedure is actually made up of at least two dental appointments. At your first one, your dentist will implant a titanium metal post right into your jawbone. Your jawbone will detect the presence of the post and organically fuse around it over the next few months. Once this process has completed, you will require another appointment for the placement of an abutment.


Finally, at your last implant appointment, your dentist will place a dental crown on top of the abutment. The crown provides a chewing and biting surface, as well as offering an aesthetic replacement for a missing tooth.


One possible complication for some patients is that they may require a bone grafting procedure if they have experienced bone resorption in the area requiring an implant.

For Additional Information

To request more information about implant procedures, reach out to your family dentist today to book your consultation.

Dr. Maha Enin, DDS

Dr. Maha Enin believes in providing the highest level of comprehensive quality care to all patients at Royal Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.  With 20 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Enin also volunteers her free time at a dental clinic for families in the Manassas, VA community.

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