

The loss of just a single tooth can eventually destroy an entire mouth. When it comes to replacing lost or damaged teeth, one of the best options for patients in the Fairfax and Oakton, Virginia area is receiving dental implants at Rye Smiles for Life. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are permanently anchored into the jaw itself, providing a beautiful and durable solution to tooth loss. Dental implants can even be used in combination with cosmetic dentistry treatments and restorative dentistry procedures as part of a complete smile makeover. With more than 25 years of experience in the Oakton area, our implant dentist, Dr. D. Gordon Rye, is recognized as one of the finest in the region.
Because of the numerous benefits of this remarkable treatment, our dental implant patients throughout the Northern Virginia and Oakton region report implant dentistry has restored them to better health and a more active lifestyle. Dental implants are permanently anchored into the jaw, which means they feel just like natural teeth and won't shift out of place. What's more, dental implants are easy to maintain; they can be cleaned and flossed just like real teeth.
Another benefit of restoring smiles with dental implants is the prevention of chronic jaw pain. Dental implants keep teeth from drifting into the gap of a missing tooth, eliminating headaches and jaw pain due to teeth shifting. While dentures may still be the best choice for some patients, the lasting relief afforded by dental implants is incomparable. Dental implant technology has become incredibly reliable and has been available for more than 30 years. Today, reliability is at 98 percent.
Although dental implants have been in use for over thirty years, revolutionary advances in the past ten years are changing the landscape of implant dentistry. Dental implants can improve your appearance, speech, comfort, oral health and self esteem in as little as one appointment. Our patients report dental implants result in improvements to eating too. What's more, tooth replacement techniques which depend on anchoring a bridge to surrounding teeth are no longer necessary, so those teeth need not be compromised.
Contact our practice in Fairfax, near Oakton, Virginia, to learn more about dental implants and all of the benefits they offer.
Unlike a denture or crown, which can replace only the top of a tooth, a dental implant is used to restore the root of a missing tooth. Before beginning the implant process, we evaluate your medical and dental history, conduct a full clinical examination of your mouth, and take three-dimensional digital X-rays. With this information, Dr. Rye designs a Personalized Dental Plan including the number and location of implants to be placed. Dr. Rye then constructs a guide that ensures precise placement of your implants.
Making the right choices in dentistry first depends on knowing exactly what sort of situation we're dealing with, and with equipment like the PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT, within seconds we can see everything that's going on in the mouth, teeth, jaw, and airway.
This means that you do not have to schedule two appointments in order to learn what your options are - we can do the scan and diagnosis on the same day, and inform you of the best treatment path for you.
Not only is the cone beam scanner more convenient for you, it's also healthier. A traditional fan beam CT exposes the patient to approximately 80% more radiation than is experienced in a cone beam CT. The structure of the scan is different, and the scan time is much faster, as well, which helps minimize radiation exposure.
In our Fairfax dentist office, we prefer the PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT for a variety of diagnostic uses. It's the absolute best method for planning dental implants, but can also help us diagnose things like periodontal disease and jaw tumors. It can help us see the full picture when it comes to impacted teeth, and can even assist us with treating problems like TMJ and sleep apnea.
The PreXion 3D scan also helps us show you exactly what's going on in your mouth, so that you can better understand the diagnosis and treatment options that are presented to you. This can help you to feel more confident about visiting the dentist, as there are no question marks and everything is made perfectly clear with the help of the scanned 3D image.
But the best part of the PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT is how it benefits us when it comes time for you to have a procedure. Because of the accuracy of the scan, we can see the mouth in great detail exactly how it is, and this means that there are no surprises when it comes to the procedure. We can reduce the anesthesia and procedure time, which in turn means that you will have a reduced recovery time.
As if that weren't enough, the PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT costs much less than having a CT scan done the old-fashioned way, so there's no reason not to take advantage of this amazing technology.
We have a PreXion 3D Cone Beam CT scanner in our Fairfax dentist office, so you can get your scan without having to visit two locations.
During the surgical phase, the titanium implant is placed into the jawbone. Anesthesia or sedation appropriate to the patient's needs is used. As the body heals, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant, leaving just a small area of metal exposed, on which a customized replacement tooth will be attached. Healing time generally takes two to six months, depending on the type of implant used.
The restorative phase of treatment takes place after the gums heal. A dental crown, bridge, or denture is crafted to fit atop the implant, and then permanently fixed to the titanium root. Once complete, the restored tooth looks, feels, and functions like its natural counterparts.
Traditional, removable dentures used to be the standard for replacing teeth when most or all of the teeth were missing. If you have worn dentures, or are still wearing them now, you are probably all too familiar with issues like sore gums, messy adhesives, or worse, adhesives that fail at the most inopportune moments. There can also be problems with eating and talking, both in terms of personal comfort, and general function of the dentures.
If you have heard about dental implants and are wondering what your options are for upgrading from dentures to implants, contact us at our Fairfax, VA dental practice and make an appointment to have your situation assessed. We use the most advanced Cone Beam CT scanning technology to quickly have a look at your mouth and jaw from every angle, and we can usually discuss your options with you on the same day.
One of the issues with adhesive-based dentures is that because they sit on the gums, there is no root to interact with the jaw bone underneath. Over time, this can cause the bone to deteriorate, which can lead to changes in the shape of your face and smile. With dental implants, a few titanium "roots" are placed into the bone. As the body heals from the procedure, the bone becomes fused to the implants, and afterward a bridge or denture can be fitted to the exposed bart of the implants. With an all-on-4 procedure, as few as four implants may be needed to support an entire arch of teeth.
If you've been curious about dental implants as an upgraded alternative to your current dentures, the sooner you come in for an assessment, the better. We can get you in for a scan and then speak to you about your options, and afterward you can decided how you want to proceed. The first and most important step is not to wait, as you want your jawbone in the best possible condition for placing the implants. Regardless of how long you've had your dentures, it is certainly worth coming in and getting a professional opinion about how to make your teeth more reliable and comfortable
If you need several or even all of your teeth replaced with implants, you are probably worried about the discomfort involved, the cost, and how the end result will look and feel. However, it is important to note that you will not necessarily need separate implants for each tooth. All-on-4 implants combine multiple teeth onto one implant, with often an entire arch of teeth being supported on just four implants.
This may sound like two few implants to support so many teeth, but the All-on-4 procedure works slightly differently from standard single tooth implants, in that the angle of the implants is tilted to give the highest amount of stability. The two frontmost implants are placed vertically, whereas the two in the back of the mouth are tilted forward at 45 degrees. This allows the two back implants to root into the bone tissue nearer the front of the jaw, and the bone fusion occurs much more quickly.
The procedure itself takes much less time overall than separate implants, and in most cases bone grafting is not necessary. After the implants are placed in the mouth, there will probably be some discomfort and/or swelling in the mouth for a few days, but this will gradually improve. Also, the teeth you get on the day of your implants are permanent - no more temporary restorations that have to be replaced at a later date.
You will, of course, need to have a consultation to assess whether All-on-4 implants are right for you. While All-on-4 does work for many patients who need multiple teeth replaced, for some people it may not be recommended. If you are a smoker or have diabetes, for example, the dentist may have to discuss other options with you for replacing your teeth. All-on-4 implants are known for their stability, and after your healing process is complete, you should not be able to tell the difference between your implants and natural teeth. You will be able to eat, speak, and best of all, smile normally, and there will not be any of the looseness or discomfort common with removable dentures.
For many patients, All-on-4 implants are the permanent answer to their dental woes. To find out if you are a suitable candidate, schedule an appointment today to meet with our team for a comprehensive examination and assessment.
If you are considering your choices for replacing a missing tooth, you have likely thought about two major options: a dental implant, or a bridge. While each case is treated on an individual basis and there may be reasons why a particular patient would be better suited to one solution over another, there are some general points to consider when you are are trying to make a decision about which way to proceed with replacing your tooth.
Implants can seem almost like a magic solution for missing teeth. They look natural, feel natural, and surrounding teeth don't have to be compromised in the process. If you've already had dentures, you may have looked at the option of dental implants and wondered if it could be a better plan for you.
Certainly people who have experienced problems with their dentures not fitting properly have to worry about things that people with implants never have to take into consideration, like problems with chewing or talking. But before you make the decision to switch to implants, you'll have to be assessed for whether or not you are a good candidate.
Of course, a true assessment will require that you meet with the dentist and get a series of examinations. These will include a full dental exam, a set of dental x-rays, and possibly some scans to determine the state of your jawbone.
In general, however, it's safe to say that candidates for implants need to have an adequate amount of bone available for the implants to anchor in the jaw correctly. Healthy gums and overall health are also important considerations, as is a strong commitment to a rigorous oral hygiene habit.
The most common reasons that a patient would not be a good candidate for implants involve concerns about health and lifestyle choices. Diabetic patients, for example, may or may not be a good fit for implants, but the chances go up greatly if the diabetes is controlled well and the patient is regulating it both on their own and with the help of their doctor.
Smoking may diminish your chances of being able to have implants. Implants may reject if the mouth is not healing properly, and healing can be slowed by smoking. The dentist may require that you stop smoking and then wait to assess you again at a later date.
If you have lost a tooth or even several teeth through injury rather than through disease or lack of care, it's likely you'll be a strong candidate for implants, providing that the rest of your mouth is in general good health and you have a regular oral hygiene routine. Even if the tooth was lost through decay, though, don't lose hope. There's still a very high chance that you can have successful implants, especially if you are willing to follow the dentist's care instructions to the letter.
For whatever reason, you may be missing a tooth, or several. Perhaps it happened in an accidental way, or you had to have the teeth pulled as a result of declining dental health. Sometimes, especially when the missing teeth are in the back where we don't see them as readily, we get used to how it feels not to have teeth back there, and we convince ourselves that it's not all that important to have dental implants to fill in the gaps.
If you are trying to save money by not replacing missing teeth, you need to consider that not doing anything about it may cost you more in the long run, both in terms of actual monetary cost, as well as the integrity of your facial structure.
Your teeth are for more than just chewing and smiling - their presence keeps your jaw bone from deteriorating. When you have even one missing tooth, the jaw bone wears down over time. This causes all kinds of changes in the appearance of your face. As the vertical line of the face shortens, the mouth area gradually collapses. At the beginning, this may only cause minor issues such as premature wrinkling and an appearance of advanced aging, but as the problem progresses, there may be more major concerns such as the drifting of the other teeth, trouble with eating and digestion, and damage to the joints that hold the jaw together.
If you have one or more missing teeth, you may already be noticing effects like jaw pain and headaches. Without the support of all the teeth, especially the molars, undue stress is put on the jawbone. This stress can easily translate into headaches, which you may not necessarily associate with your tooth loss. You can even develop TMJ from not having a full set of teeth.
Yes, there is some initial cost to having dental implants put in, but when you look at the alternative of letting the situation get worse, you could end up with a whole mouth of teeth that need work, or worse, teeth that end up beyond repair. And don't discount the self-esteem factor - even if you think you're used to not having that tooth there, having it replaced will make you feel so much better and more confident about your smile.
Recently one of my patients was struggling with the decision of whether to replace an existing bridge with a replacement bridge or with dental implants. I explained the pros and cons to her and she is considering her options. With the increasing popularity of dental implants (due in large to technology improvements which enable dentists to place dental implants with more predictable results than in the past), there are many people in her situation, grappling with the question of what is the best solution to their dental problem. Here are the considerations when trying to decide whether to replace your bridge with a replacement bridge or dental implants:
Pros of Replacement Bridge:
Cons of Replacement Bridge:
Pros of Implants
Cons of Implants
You will often hear dental implants spoken about in very glowing terms, with strong implications that implants are some sort of miracle treatment. While it's true that implants provide a very advanced method of permanent tooth replacement, like any other dental work, certain precautions need to be taken to ensure that the implants are well taken care of, so that they can last as long as possible.
The first thing you can do to reduce the risk of problems with dental implants comes long before you have the procedure done. Make sure that you are in good general health and that you are a non-smoker. You should eat a balanced diet, and of course follow a strict and regular oral hygiene routine. Following healthy practices can greatly reduce the risk of your implants not "taking" properly.
Good dental hygiene is also important after your surgery. Your implants will need to be brushed and flossed just as if they were natural teeth, and you will need to be vigilant about keeping your gums healthy.
Grinding or clenching your teeth can greatly increase the risk that your implant will fail. Grinding puts a huge amount of unnecessary pressure on the teeth, and if you have an implant that is healing, you can either break the implant or cause it to move around. One problem is that people who grind their teeth at night may not even be aware that they are doing it, though signs will be there that the dentist can see. When you come in for your dental appointment, if it appears you grind your teeth, that issue will need to be dealt with first to increase the likelihood that your implants will be successful.
Luckily there are some complications with traditional tooth replacement solutions that simply aren't an issue with implants. For example, you will never have to worry about the problems associated with a poorly-fitting denture. You will not have to worry about losing your teeth while talking or eating, nor will you need to remove your teeth at night.
Implants that are properly taken care of will look and behave like your natural teeth, and will last many years or even decades. If you are concerned about your risk factors, or if you are diabetic or a smoker, come in for an initial assessment and get some advice on the best way to proceed. The sooner you get professional advice, the sooner your smile can be restored in every sense of the word.
Getting dental implants is an exciting thing. Especially if you've been missing one or more teeth for a while, seeing your smile complete again for the first time is a wonderful experience. Of course, the way your smile looks is only one aspect of the benefits of implants. Having a full set of teeth is important for your overall health, and can greatly impact the health of your mouth and jaw.
It is essential when you get dental implants to understand the recovery timeline, so that you will be prepared for the temporary changes you will have to make to your lifestyle after the procedure. Naturally, every patient is different and every procedure unique, so you will be given advice for your specific situation at the time of your consultation, but in general terms, here are a few things you can expect.
If you're only having a single implant, the procedure will not affect your daily routine very much. You will probably not even experience any swelling, though there may be some soreness around the area for a day or two, and that can be controlled with pain medication. You should be able to return to work or your normal schedule the following day.
If you are having an All-on-4 procedure, it is likely that there will be some swelling that will return to normal within a few days, and you will probably need pain medication to help you for about that same length of time. You should be able to return to your normal schedule after about three days, depending on your tolerance level.
For the first month after you get your implants, you will need to be somewhat careful when eating,and avoid foods that are difficult to chew. It takes time for the bone to start growing around the implant, and you want to make sure the implant stays in the correct place while this is happening.
The part of the implant area that takes the longest time to heal is the gums. Those who have a history of poor gum health due to medical conditions, smoking, or unhealthy diet will find that their gums will take much longer to heal than those with healthy gums. Although it only takes a few days for you to be able to return to your normal life, your gums can take many weeks to heal, and may be quite swollen for some time. This is normal and is nothing to be alarmed about.
If you are considering a "dental vacation" with one of the companies which have sprung up to provide implant procedures in other countries for a fraction of what they cost in the United States, consider the following issues:
There are many benefits to having dental implant procedures done in your local area, and the cost may be lower than you think. Your peace of mind is worth it, and so are your teeth. If you're going to go through the trouble to get the smile you deserve, then you also deserve to have treatment you can trust, in an environment where you will be completely comfortable, and where you can relax knowing that you're in good hands.
Everyone should see their dentist and hygienist at least twice each year, whether or not they have implants. Like any dental restoration, dental implants require diligent oral hygiene to ensure they last a lifetime.
A single implant is cleaned like a natural tooth, with regular brushing and flossing.
Implant supported bridges that replace a few teeth are cleaned like tooth supported bridges, brushing and flossing with a floss threader.
Overdentures supported by two to four dental implants require special brushes and floss to clean the implant attachments as well as the overdenture.
Mary was a recent college graduate when she first visited our office. Her father had planned on giving her a new car to congratulate her on her graduation, but she wanted a new smile instead. Mary had been through years of orthodontic treatment, but her final bite was never satisfactory. She had some missing teeth and retained baby teeth, and a crossbite which she wanted to correct to be more aesthetically pleasing. Mary could not close her back teeth together comfortably, and she was developing popping and clicking noises in her tempero-mandibular joints ("TMJ"). She had considered going back into braces to close the gaps left by the retained baby teeth.
Dr. Rye's personalized treatment plan recommended reshaping some gum tissue, and extraction of the baby teeth, and replacement of missing teeth with implants. Her treatment started with the gum recontouring. When the gums had healed, her baby teeth were extracted, implants were placed, and beautiful porcelain crowns were placed on the implants. Mary's treatment was completed within nine months. Mary can now, for the first time in her life, put her teeth together into a consistently comfortable, painless bite, without symptoms of "TMJ". Mary receives many compliments on her absolutely gorgeous new smile, sometimes even from people she has only recently met.
Kristin was a childhood patient of Dr. Rye's but had left the practice for an extended period of time after getting married. When she first came back to see Dr. Rye, she had broken molars and her gums were swollen. Her primary concern was the molars and the health of her gums, but she also wanted a smile makeover with new veneers on her other teeth. She suffered from dental anxiety and was interested in oral sedation for her treatments. The personalized treatment plan Dr. Rye prepared for Kristin included periodontal therapy, extractions, implant placements to replace the broken molars, and restoration of the remaining teeth with porcelain veneers. Dr. Rye was happy to be able make it very easy for Kristin to have the beautiful smile makeover she wanted, in addition to restoring her to optimal dental health.
Rhonda first came to Dr. Rye with periodontal problems which had irreparably damaged the majority of her teeth. In addition, her dental situation had compromised her immune system. Dr. Rye completed a comprehensive exam and prepared a detailed personalized treatment plan for Rhonda. After considering all of her options, Rhonda elected extractions of her remaining teeth and replacement with implants and bridge work. Using the latest technology available, Dr. Rye provided Rhonda with an implant-supported, fixed conversion prosthesis called "Teeth in a Day". The "Teeth in a Day" concept involves creation of a ceramic porcelain appliance fixed to the patients jaw. Using exacting measurements to ensure comfortable fit and appropriate bite, Dr. Rye was able to give Rhonda the smile she had been dreaming about. Both Dr. Rye and Rhonda expected that she would need additional visits for bite adjustments, but her bite feels really good, and the additional treatments were unnecessary. Today Rhonda enjoys a beautiful, healthy smile for life!
When Dorothy first visited us, most of her posterior teeth (her molars) were missing. She had completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments for breast cancer treatment about 8 years previous to her visit. About five years after her cancer treatment was complete she began having issues with her teeth and as a result had most of her molars extracted. Since the molars protect the front teeth, her chewing efficiency was compromised, her nutrition suffered, and she was beginning to lose her front teeth. The "vertical dimension" of her smile was diminished by the missing molars as well. Her chin was getting closer to her nose, and the corners of her lips were turning down prematurely, increasing the prominence of the nasolabial fold "wrinkles" of her face.
Until recently, the typical treatment plan for Dorothy would have been a full or partial upper and lower denture. She was only 60 years young and I knew that if she had enough bone to support dental implants not only would she be able to retain her existing jaw bone but she would also be able to have esthetically and functionally natural teeth for the rest of her life. We could regain her natural vertical dimension, giving her, in effect, a "nonsurgical facelift". The corners of her mouth would be uplifted, and the prominence of her nasolabial folds would diminish.
We took an x-ray on a Prexion 3D Cone Beam CT Scanner and I knew immediately that I could place at least two implants. After studying Dorothy's CT scan further and utilizing the Prexion virtual implant placement software, I found that I could potentially place 7 implants with the use of CAD/CAM technology and an implant surgical guide. Having the advantage of being able to place implant supported molars allowed us to stabilize her jaw structure to regain her lost vertical dimension. We are now able to open up her over-closed smile, renew her ability to chew all foods, protect the front teeth and regain the original length of her front teeth with the use of porcelain veneers. Thanks to the technology of the CT scanner, as well as many other recent advances in dental technology available to us, and our many years of training, we are now able to do a full mouth reconstruction on this cancer survivor and give her a brand new functional, beautiful and natural smile to use for the rest of her life.
Rye Smiles for Life, near Oakton, Virginia, is pleased to offer the best in dental implants. This remarkable technology can dramatically transform your smile by permanently restoring lost or damaged teeth. Dr. Rye is known throughout the Oakton region as a leading implant dentist. If you would like more information on the advantages of dental implant technology, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation.