Missing a tooth changes more than your smile. It can shift the way you chew, affect nearby teeth over time, and even change the shape of your jaw. Dental implants are one of the most common ways we help replace a missing tooth with something that looks, feels, and functions like the real thing.
Before moving forward, it helps to understand what the process actually involves and whether you’re a good fit for it.
Who Tends to Be a Good Candidate
Your overall health matters more here than your age. The ADA notes that conditions like uncontrolled diabetes can interfere with healing after implant surgery, which is why a health review usually comes before anything else.
You’ll also need enough healthy bone to support the implant, and healthy gums free of active disease. If bone loss has already occurred, it doesn’t automatically rule out implants, since grafting can sometimes rebuild the area needed for a stable fit.
What the Process Generally Involves
Getting an implant typically happens in stages rather than a single visit. First, the implant post is placed into the jawbone, often guided by detailed imaging to map out the exact position.
Over the following months, the bone gradually fuses around the post in a process called osseointegration, which is what gives an implant its long-term stability. Once healing is complete, an abutment and a custom crown are added on top, finishing the restoration so it blends in with the teeth around it.
Explore Dental Implants in Germantown, MD
Advanced Dental Center is a general, family, and cosmetic dental practice that has restored smiles in Germantown, Maryland, since 1998, and our team, including board-certified periodontists, works together on dental implants in Germantown, MD, from the first consultation through the final crown.
As part of our broader Germantown dental service, we take the time to review your health history and goals before recommending any treatment. Curious whether you’re a candidate? Meet the providers who handle implant care, then schedule a consultation to find out more.
