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What to Expect When Getting Dental Implants
- Understand the full dental implants process
- Know exactly what to expect for your implant treatment
- Work with a highly-knowledgeable dental team
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For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (703) 444-5108 or click the button below to contact us online.
Professional Dental Implants Services in Sterling, VA
Gain Confidence in The Dental Implants Procedure
Do you wish to bring back your beautiful smile once again? Are you looking to get dental implants? Has anyone ever explained the full implant process to you before? If you can relate to any of these questions, not to worry because we have the answers. At WestLake Dental Care, we want our patients to be fully aware of the dental implant procedure and know exactly what they should expect when they come to see us.
Procedure Details:
Benefits of Dental Implants
Restoring and maintaining facial bone structure is important for several reasons as the jaw and other facial bones support the skin and muscle that are responsible for our outward cosmetic appearance. Without the proper care, our faces can look much older than our actual age. Dental implants can help fix that and help boost your self-esteem with your new, improved bright and shining smile. Below are three more reasons why dental implants can benefit you.
- Dental implants can help to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting which can result in further bone loss and losing more teeth.
- An implant can help you to chew food as you once did with your regular teeth before they became unhealthy.
- Implants can boost your self-esteem and confidence by giving you a brand new smile without the worry of slipping dentures.
Dental Implants: What You Should Expect
Below we will take you through a step-by-step process of what to expect when you come to Westlake Dental Care for your implants:
Visit One
Visit one begins by determining that your natural tooth can not be maintained and typically takes around 90 minutes. When your natural tooth has had extensive damage, like decay, fracture, cracks, or bone loss, and can no longer be repaired with dental treatment, extraction is necessary. After careful removal of your natural tooth, a bone graft and covering is placed at the time of surgery to help rebuild a good foundation and preserve the bone you have. The typical healing time after extraction is 3-4 months.
Visit Two
About 2 weeks after your extraction, we will remove your sutures, which usually takes around 30 minutes. Suture removal is a quick visit in which the surgical area is evaluated for proper healing and the stitches are removed.
Visit Three
At your third visit, which is typically another 30 minutes, we will then evaluate your mouth to check how your extractions healed and begin surgical planning. It takes twelve weeks for the bone graft to solidify and become strong enough to support a dental implant. This visit is scheduled around the halfway point to monitor your bone/gum healing. A CBCT (3D X-ray) is taken for the dentist to select the custom implant size for your future tooth and to discuss any additional procedures that may be necessary either before or during your implant surgery (including additional bone grafting, sinus lift, or gum tissue procedure). An impression will be taken to create the implant guide, which is used by the dentist on the day of surgery to guide the implant into a good position.
Visit Four
On the day of your implant surgery (90-min procedure), the implant (titanium root) will be placed below your gums. After it is placed, no tooth will be added since it needs time to heal (12-16 weeks) and become sufficiently anchored into position. If you receive additional bone or sinus grafting at the time of surgery, the implant requires a longer healing time, which will be told to you by your dentist. Depending on your case, the dentist may either cover the implant with your gum tissue or may place a “healing abutment” (small covering) onto the head of the implant. If the healing abutment is placed, visit six is skipped. Healing time is typically 2-3 months.
Visit Five
On the day of your implant surgery (90-min procedure), the implant (titanium root) will be placed below your gums. After it is placed, no tooth will be added since it needs time to heal (12-16 weeks) and become sufficiently anchored into position. If you receive additional bone or sinus grafting at the time of surgery, the implant requires a longer healing time, which will be told to you by your dentist. Depending on your case, the dentist may either cover the implant with your gum tissue or may place a “healing abutment” (small covering) onto the head of the implant. If the healing abutment is placed, visit six is skipped. Healing time is typically 2-3 months.
Visit Six
Visit number six will happen 3 months after your implant surgery for around 40 minutes and is the beginning of “Stage 2” of the process which is implant “uncovery”. Once the implant heals underneath the gums, it needs to be uncovered in order to build the tooth or crown component. At this visit, the dentist uses local anesthesia (“Novocain”) to anesthetize the gums and expose the top of the implant. The “healing abutment” is placed onto the implant to help form the gum in preparation for the new tooth. The healing abutment protrudes slightly above the gum’s surface and you will be able to feel this with your tongue. Healing time after visit six is around 1 month.
Visit Seven
Three months after implant placement or four weeks after “uncovery,” we will then begin the implant crown impression portion of this procedure. This is typically a 40 minute process. At this visit, your gums have healed enough to take the definitive impression(s) for your crown. The impressions are sent to the dental laboratory to custom design your new tooth or teeth.
Visit Eight
The time has come to meet your new tooth! At this visit, usually 60 minutes, your healing abutment is removed and your new tooth is placed. It’s time for implant crown insertion! We always check that you are happy with the look and bite of your new tooth and demonstrate how to properly clean around the implant.
Caring For Your Dental Implant
Your implant requires routine maintenance just like your other teeth. Implants do not decay, but the bone supporting the implant can be affected by gum disease. Good home care as well as regular cleanings and check-ups can lengthen the lifespan of your implant. Be sure to remind your hygienist at your regular cleanings where your implant(s) is located, so that he or she may take special care around your new tooth. We recommend being fitted for a night guard after placement of the implant crown to protect your new dental work and other teeth.
Contact WestLake Dental Care for Dental Implants in Sterling, VA
We know the dental implant process can seem overwhelming but trust us, it’s worth it! At WestLake Dental Care, you can expect a smooth dental implant process. After only 8 dental visits and 7 to 10 months of total treatment time, the benefits of a new smile easily outweigh the time it took to get there. Our caring and knowledgeable dentists love being able to restore your beautiful smile to what it once was. For professionally done dental implants, contact our friendly staff to set up your first appointment today!
For more information about what to expect when getting dental implants or to book an appointment, call us at (703) 444-5108 or visit our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Dental Implants
Dental implants are suitable for most healthy adults who have one or more missing teeth. Ideal candidates should have sufficient bone density in the jaw, healthy gums, and no uncontrolled chronic conditions (like diabetes or heart disease) that could affect healing. A thorough evaluation, including 3D imaging and dental exams, is necessary to confirm candidacy.
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution and can last 20 years or more with proper care. The implant itself (the titanium root) can potentially last a lifetime, while the crown (visible tooth) may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are key to maximizing their lifespan.
3D-guided dental implants use advanced imaging to map out exact implant placement, improving precision and reducing discomfort. This technology allows for smaller incisions, less disruption to surrounding tissue, and a more comfortable, accurate implant experience.
In many cases, minimally invasive implants do not require bone grafting due to precise placement using 3D imaging. However, if grafting is necessary, enhanced techniques using growth factors from the patient’s own blood can speed healing and improve outcomes.
Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants integrate directly with the jawbone, offering superior stability and function. Implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support (like bridges do), and they help maintain bone density by mimicking natural tooth roots. They also offer a more natural appearance and feel, without the slipping or clicking associated with removable dentures.
I’ve had excellent care for years. Dr. T is great at explaining everything, making it less stressful, and making sure you feel comfortable. Everyone is friendly and service is prompt. I would recommend Westlake Dental Care to anyone.
– Margie W.
Potomac Falls, VA
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