Missing a Tooth? Get Your Smile Back with a Permanent Solution.
If you’re dealing with a damaged or missing tooth, we have the modern answer you’ve been looking for. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth for good. They don’t just fill a gap, they act like a brand-new tooth root that becomes a permanent part of your smile. At Davidsonville Dental Group, Dr. Marc Eun, Dr. James Wooddell and Dr. Joseph Passaro are proud to offer this life-changing treatment near Crofton, MD.
What Are Dental Implants?
Let’s break it down simply. A dental implant is a small, super-strong titanium post that Dr. Eun, Dr. Wooddell, or Dr. Passaro gently places in your jawbone. Think of it as a new anchor for your smile.
Over the next few months, your own bone naturally grows around it to lock it in place. This creates a rock-solid foundation, just like a natural tooth root. Once it’s secure, we attach a custom-made crown (your new visible tooth) on top. The result is a tooth that looks, feels, and works just like the one you were born with.
Why Choose an Implant? It’s More Than Just a Tooth.
Choosing a dental implant is an investment in your long-term health, comfort, and confidence.
- They Protect Your Jaw: The implant acts like a real root, signaling your body to keep your jawbone strong. This prevents the bone loss that normally happens when a tooth is missing, which helps maintain your natural face shape.
- They Feel Completely Natural: You can eat, laugh, and talk without a second thought. There are no slips, clicks, or diet restrictions.
- They’re Built to Last: With good care, an implant is designed to be a one-time solution that can last for the rest of your life.
- They Keep Your Smile Healthy: Implants stand on their own, so we don’t need to alter or grind down your healthy neighboring teeth.
Ready to explore a permanent fix for your smile? Contact Davidsonville Dental Group near Crofton, MD, today to schedule your consultation. Let’s talk about how dental implants can restore your confidence and your life.
Your Implant Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide
We know the process can seem like a mystery, so we want to walk you through exactly what to expect. From planning to your final smile, our team at Davidsonville Dental Group is with you every step of the way.
Step 1: Careful Planning with 3D Technology
Everything begins with a detailed plan, just like an architect uses blueprints. Using advanced, painless 3D scans (called CBCT), Dr. Eun, Dr. Wooddell, or Dr. Passaro gets a complete picture of your jawbone and teeth. This high-tech map allows them to plan the perfect position for your implant, ensuring it will be strong, stable, and won’t disturb your healthy teeth or your bite. This careful planning upfront is the secret to a successful, long-lasting result.
Step 2: Placing the New “Root”
When your personalized plan is ready, we coordinate with a trusted oral surgery specialist in the Crofton, MD area to gently place the implant post into your jawbone. You’ll be comfortable during this procedure. This small titanium post will act as your new, artificial tooth root. Afterward, you’ll enter the healing phase, which is the most important part.
Step 3: Healing & Letting Your Bone Fuse to the Implant
This is when the magic happens. Over the next 3 to 6 months, your jawbone will naturally grow around and fuse with the implant in a process called osseointegration. This fusion makes the implant incredibly strong like a real tooth root. We’ll stay in touch and see you for check-ups to make sure everything is healing perfectly.
Step 4: Building Your Beautiful, Final Smile
Once your implant is fully fused and strong, you’ll come back to our office. We’ll attach a small abutment to the implant. Then, we take a precise impression of your mouth so a dental lab can create your custom crown, dental bridge, or denture.
On your final visit, your doctor will securely attach your new, permanent tooth. It’s designed to blend in perfectly, so you can enjoy a complete, confident smile again.
Patient Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What does getting an implant feel like?
Most people are surprised by how manageable the process is. During the surgery itself, you are completely numb with local anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain. Afterward, any discomfort is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
We’ll give you clear instructions to help you stay comfortable while you heal. The short-term tenderness is well worth the long-term benefit of a permanent, strong tooth.
How do I take care of my new dental implant?
Caring for your implant is simple. You treat it just like your real teeth! This means brushing twice a day and flossing every day to keep the gums around it healthy. You don’t need any special brushes or pastes; your regular oral care routine is perfect.
The most important step is keeping your regular dental check-ups and cleanings with us. We can make sure everything stays in great shape for years to come.
Am I too old to get dental implants?
No, age alone is not a barrier! Healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant are much more important than your age. We’ve successfully placed implants for many older adults who want to improve their quality of life.
As long as you’re in good general health, you can be a great candidate. The best way to know for sure is to come in for a personal consultation where we can evaluate your specific situation.
Can I get an implant if I’ve had a tooth missing for years?
Absolutely! Even if you’ve had a gap for a long time, you are likely still a candidate. Over time, jawbone can shrink where a tooth is missing, but we have a common solution called bone grafting.
This safe procedure rebuilds the bone to create a strong foundation for the implant. Modern dentistry has great solutions to make implants possible for patients who thought they missed their chance.
Will people be able to tell I have a fake tooth?
Not at all! The crown is custom-made to match the exact color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. Our dental lab crafts it to blend in seamlessly with your smile. Once it’s in place, it looks and feels so natural that even you will forget it’s not your original tooth. The goal is for your new smile to look perfectly, beautifully you.
Can I still get an implant if I have gum disease?
Healthy gums are very important for a successful implant. If you have active gum disease, we’ll need to treat that first to get your gums healthy and strong. Once your gum health is stable, you can often move forward with the implant process. Treating gum disease first is a crucial step to ensure your new implant has the best possible foundation to last for decades.
Schedule A Consultation Today
Getting an implant is a team effort. Our doctors coordinate your care with trusted local specialists to make sure every step of your journey is smooth and successful. From your first consultation to your final, beautiful smile, we handle all the details and ensure you get the very best results.
To learn more about our dental implant services near Crofton, contact us at (410) 343-7075 or schedule an appointment online. We are now accepting new patients from Crofton, Bowie, Crownsville, Parole, and surrounding Anne Arundel County communities. We also offer consultative second opinions for any restorative dental care need.
