Daniel R. Melnick D.D.S

Implant Dentistry

Laurel, Columbia, Fulton and Silver Spring, Maryland

It is said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. For most people, losing one or more teeth during their lifetime can be added to this list. Fortunately, dental implants offer a way of compensating for this loss. Maryland dentists, Drs. Dan Melnick and Maurice Miles are ready to provide advice and assistance on this and other dental concerns.

Dental implants are root-shaped titanium screws that are implanted in the jawbone. They can be used to anchor a single replacement tooth, multiple missing teeth, or stabilize a full or partial denture. For single tooth replacement, implants allow a means for non-removable tooth replacement without having to remove healthy tooth structure from the neighboring teeth. For multiple tooth replacement via fixed bridgework, implants provide a longer term replacement as they are not susceptible to recurrent decay, which is the main cause for the need for tooth-supported crown and bridgework replacement every 7-15 years. Implants can also provide stability that is unobtainable in removable full dentures or partial plates, which typically slip around the mouth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Improved appearance. Implants are meant to be permanent, and replacement teeth such as a porcelain crown can conceal any sign that the new tooth is not your own.
• Improved speech. Slipping dentures can cause you to mumble or even be hesitant to talk or smile. Dental implants eliminate such fears.
• Improved comfort. Implants are not taken out at night. With enough implants, we can remove the palatal part of an upper full denture to reduce gagging.
• Improved oral hygiene. Implants, unlike dental bridges, do not infringe on any other teeth or obstruct brushing or flossing.
• Durability. Implants are long-lasting, and with proper health and care, can last a lifetime.
• Convenience. Nobody enjoys taking out old style dentures at nighttime or replacing them in the morning. Implants can eliminate these procedures.

Who is a Candidate?

Dental implants can be placed in the general adult population that have sustainable health for fixed single tooth replacement, fixed multiple tooth replacement, or to stabilize an existing or new full or partial removable denture. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, periodontal disease, cancer, or any other uncontrolled disease are not good candidates. Children are not good candidates until they are measured to have completed their jaw growth.

Newest Technology

Our practice, Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry, utilizes a remarkable new x-ray machine called the New Tom VGI when performing implant treatment. This extra-oral digital camera uses “Safe Beam Technology” to scan a three-dimensional image of the patient’s jaw in order for us to get a thorough picture of the patient’s teeth and mouth.

If you live in the Silver Spring, Fulton, or Laurel areas of Maryland, please contact Laurel Lakes Cosmetic Dentistry today to learn more about implant dentistry.