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Optimal Tooth Replacement Solutions to Fit Your Needs

If you’re suffering from tooth loss, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million are missing all of their teeth. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and certain systemic diseases can raise the risk of periodontal disease and subsequent bone and tooth loss. Although gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults, gum disease and decay can impact people that take excellent care of their oral health, due to genetics, diet, and specific systemic diseases. Dental trauma is more common in children and adolescents, but people of all ages can experience injury that leads to tooth loss. Dr. R. Jonas Collins has extensive experience placing dental implants and the clinical expertise to manage complex cases and potential complications. To start your journey to a complete smile, we suggest setting up a phone consultation with our clinical coordinator to help determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Waynesboro and Charlottesville, VA.

It’s estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million are missing all of their teeth.

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Important Factors to Consider

If you’ve been told that you’re not a candidate for dental implants, this shouldn’t stop you from seeking a solution for broken or missing teeth. Too often, patients are told that they aren’t dental implant candidates by general dentists lacking the right expertise. Even if you have bone loss or gum disease, Dr. Collins has the right skills and expertise to help you become a good candidate for dental implants in Waynesboro and Charlottesville, VA with preliminary treatments including tooth extractions, bone grafting, and gum disease therapy. At your first appointment, Dr. Collins and our team will help you make an informed decision based on your unique dental needs and budget.

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Issues That Can Impact Dental Implant Outcomes

During your first consultation, Dr. Collins will assess your oral health and determine if a preexisting condition could interfere with being a good candidate for dental implants in Charlottesville and Waynesboro, VA. During this visit, we take diagnostic images with our CBCT scanner to help identify areas of bone loss and visualize sinuses and nerves so Dr. Collins can create an accurate treatment plan. While the success rate for dental implants is generally between 90-98%, the following factors have been shown to increase the risk of dental implant failure.
Dental implant surgery is often successful in older adults, but age is an important prognostic factor for implant success. Older patients are more prone to altered systemic health conditions, have poorer bone health, and potentially longer healing times. As such, some studies have shown higher implant failure rates in patients older than 60.
Healthy jaw bone density is a prerequisite for performing successful dental implant surgery. If diagnostic imaging reveals that your bones are insufficient to support a dental implant, Dr. Collins has the expertise to perform different bone grafting procedures to help you become a good candidate for dental implants in Waynesboro and Charlottesville, VA.
Multiple studies show dental implants have a lower success rate in smokers. Smoking affects your oral and general health, including low infection resistance and delayed wound healing. Smoking negatively impacts fusion of dental implants in the jawbone by lowering blood flow, while the harmful residues from tobacco delay wound healing and hamper new cell growth. If you smoke, we recommend quitting six months prior to implant surgery to increase the chance of a successful, long-term outcome.
Underlying medical conditions, especially if improperly controlled (e.g. diabetes, hyperglycemia, hyperthyroidism, and immune system disorders) make it more difficult for your body to heal after surgery and also increase the risk of postsurgical infection. Osteoporosis can impact the success of dental implants, especially in patients that have been on long-term bisphosphonate therapy. In addition, certain medications such as steroids or drugs that suppress the immune system can also impair fusion with your jawbone. Although these conditions don’t prohibit getting dental implants, Dr. Collins has the medical knowledge to adjust your treatment plan to improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Dietary choices after dental implant surgery can impact integration of dental implants with your jawbone. You should maintain a soft food diet and try to avoid chewing in the area of dental implants for 10-14 days, unless Dr. Collins advises otherwise. Maintaining a well-balanced and healthy diet is also good for your overall health and will aid in the healing process.
Accumulation of bacterial plaque can lead to gingivitis, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis. Gum disease and infection must be resolved prior to dental implant surgery. In addition, it’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene as a part of post-implant surgical care. Brushing, flossing and rinsing regularly will help reduce the risk of an infection compromising the integrity of your implants.
This progressive inflammatory condition impacts the tissues surrounding the fused dental implant, which can lead to loss of supporting bone and implant failure. The inflammatory process is similar to gum disease, but causes deeper, faster, and more intense bone destruction than inflammation around natural teeth.

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Dental Implant Experience Matters

Crown and bridge restorations have been used for many years after operative and endodontic treatments. Dental implants have expanded the application of these restorations with biocompatible materials that integrate with the jawbone. Today, replacement of missing teeth with titanium dental implants is considered the gold standard in dental rehabilitation. Yet all practices aren’t created equal and choosing a practitioner without adequate experience can cause heartache and significant costs related to dental implant failure and the need to have them replaced.
As a board-certified oral surgeon, Dr. Collins has extensive knowledge and awareness regarding potential risk factors that can potentially impact dental implant outcomes. In addition to advanced training and placing over 9,000 dental implants, he continually expands his implant dentistry knowledge through continuing education and assesses new technologies to benefit his patients. Our entire team is dedicated to helping you become a good candidate for dental implants in Charlottesville and Waynesboro, VA because we believe everyone deserves the life-changing benefits provided by high-quality tooth replacement options!
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