An experienced restorative dentist in Towson, Dr. Welinsky offers advanced treatment options for replacing missing teeth, including dental implants for a permanent, secure, and natural-looking smile. Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth, a dental bridge, or secure a denture for the upper or lower arch of teeth.
Dental implants can offer patients the most natural and functional result after tooth loss, giving stability and strength to your smile and bite. Patients with dental implants enjoy normal chewing function and feel more confident when speaking without the fear of a slipping appliance or garbled speech.
Dr. Welinsky recommends placing dental implants whenever possible for these and other key benefits that can provide the best possible quality of life. If you are looking for an experienced dental implant specialist in Towson, MD, Dr. Welinsky can provide you with a plan of action.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post designed to fuse to the jaw bone – acting as the root of a missing tooth. This unique factor provides key benefits for your long-term oral health and the appearance of your lower face, preventing dramatic jaw bone recession which can occur after tooth loss.
The implant is used to support a dental crown (single missing tooth), bridge (several missing teeth), or a denture (replace all missing teeth).
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Almost a 100% success rate
- Prevents bone loss and gum recession as it will fuse to your jaw bone
- Promotes a healthier diet with fresh foods
- Unlike bridgework requires no preparation for neighboring teeth
- Improves speech
- Improves comfort in denture-wearing patients
Am I a candidate for teeth implants?
Dr. Welinsky will thoroughly evaluate your oral health and cosmetic goals before recommending treatment options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Today’s patients enjoy the benefit of many recent advances in the techniques for placing implants that enable most to be qualified candidates.
If you need to have soft tissue or bone stabilized before placing an implant, Dr. Welinsky can work with you to coordinate pre-treatment procedures with a local specialist. This is important for the stability of the end result.
Dental Implants: What to Expect
The placement of teeth implants is a multi-faceted procedure that Dr. Welinsky will manage and coordinate for consistent care and a great result. If bone grafting or sinus lift is necessary to support your implant, we will coordinate care as needed and follow up to monitor your healing and plan the next phase of the process.
At the initial consultation visit, Dr. Welinsky will complete a thorough evaluation of your dental health to determine if dental implants are the correct solution for you. You should have good overall health and enough healthy jawbone to support the implanted post.
Dr. Welinsky will coordinate the surgical phase of the tooth implant procedure with a local oral surgeon and follow up post-surgery to ensure a positive result. Dental implant placement is a simple procedure performed in the oral surgeon’s office under local anesthesia.
It typically takes three to six months for the implant to heal and fully integrate with the jawbone. During this time, a temporary restoration may be attached to offer natural aesthetics and function. This is often dependent upon the location of the implant placement and the stability of your remaining teeth.
After the healing process is complete, Dr. Welinsky will uncover the post and attach a custom dental crown, bridge, or denture to restore beauty and function to your smile permanently. Your restoration will look and function the same as your natural teeth. You can brush, floss normally, and even return to regular eating habits with restored biting and chewing ability.
Dental Implant FAQs
How long does a dental implant last?
With routine dental care and good oral hygiene, you can expect your dental implant to last a lifetime and provide a secure and comfortable smile. One of the reasons implants are so popular is that they’re a permanent tooth restoration. You don’t have to replace or readjust them because the jawbone doesn’t continue to deteriorate. Implants spur jawbone regeneration.
Does dental insurance cover implants?
Dental insurance benefits typically do not cover dental implants. Our office will review all associated treatment costs and payment and financing options with you. We do everything we can to ensure our patients get the care they need. We offer a dental membership plan with our office to help you pay for your care.
What do dental implants cost?
The cost varies a lot for dental implants. Multiple implants obviously cost more than a single implant. The cost also depends on where the missing tooth is in the mouth and the size of the implant replacing it. The type of restoration impacts the cost too. Implants can support a custom crown, bridge, or denture.
What’s the success rate of dental implants?
Another benefit of implants is that they have a 95-98% success rate. If you meet all of the requirements and take good care of your restoration, it should last a lifetime. It’s very rare for your body to reject an implant.
Is getting a dental implant painful?
Many people expect the procedure to be painful, but it’s much less than you may expect. We numb the area with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable during the process. You may feel some pressure and discomfort, but that’ll be minimal. After the procedure, you may be sore. The dentist prescribes pain medications, but you may just need over-the-counter options like Advil or Tylenol.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
There are some requirements you have to meet to be a successful dental implant candidate. First, you have to have enough jawbone structure to support the implant. A bone graft or other procedure will be necessary if you don’t. You also have to be in good overall and oral health. The surgical component requires you to be healthy enough to undergo surgery. If you have remaining tooth fragments or gum disease, we’ll need to treat these conditions before moving forward.
Schedule a Consultation and Dental Exam
Are you missing a tooth or several teeth? If you want to learn more about restoring your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Welinsky. We welcome new patients to join our family dental practice. Contact us at (410) 692-8453 or use our online appointment request form, and we will contact you shortly. Dr. Welinsky’s Baltimore, MD-area dentist office is convenient for patients in Towson, West Towson, Parkville, and many Baltimore suburbs.