Are you missing a tooth or several teeth? Dental implants may be the perfect solution for you. Dental implants are a popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from missing teeth, failing teeth, or chronic dental problems. They are artificial tooth “roots,” similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond and integrate with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns, similar to if you were to get a crown on a natural tooth. A connector, known as an abutment, is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit perfectly your mouth for a seamless smile.
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Why Should I Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth in look, feel, and function. They allow you to live the way you want to – confidently eating, smiling, laughing, talking, and enjoying all of your everyday activities without worrying about your teeth! They are incredibly durable and will last many years, or even a lifetime, if they are well cared for. Unlike dentures, they don’t slip or click when you talk, laugh, or eat, making them a comfortable and secure option. Dental implants also protect your oral health by stimulating bone growth and preventing bone loss.
Did you know…
Dental implants have a success rate of 98% and can last for many years with proper care!
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The Benefits of Dental Implants
Improved Appearance
Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become as close to permanent as we can offer in dentistry. They are custom-made to match the color of your existing teeth, so no one will even know you have an artificial tooth.
Improved Speech
With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words, and not feel as confident in chewing. Dental implants allow you to speak and chew without the worry that teeth might slip or move around.
Easier Eating
Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
The Dental Implants Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
Your first step is an initial consultation with Dr. Seema Ahmed or Dr. Mohammad Barra, who will thoroughly examine your oral health. During this visit, Dr. Ahmed or Dr. Barra will assess the strength of your jawbone to ensure it can support a dental implant. You'll also have the opportunity to discuss your dental history and any specific concerns, allowing us to tailor your treatment plan to your needs.
Implant Placement
The next step is the implant placement. This procedure involves surgically inserting the implant into your jawbone below the gum line. The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia to minimize any discomfort. We'll be there to guide you through the recovery process, making sure you have all the information and support you need for a smooth recovery. Most patients return to work by the next day.
Crown Attachment
After the implant has bonded with your jawbone—a process known as osseointegration—we'll move on to attaching the abutment, which is the base for your new crown. The final step is securing your custom-made crown to the abutment. Designed to blend in with your natural teeth in color and shape, this crown will look natural and restore the full functionality to your bite. We aim to ensure that your new tooth feels comfortable and enhances your smile.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are dental implants and how do they function?
Dental implants are a durable, natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges that sit on top of the gums, implants are designed to function like real teeth because they are anchored securely into the jawbone. This means they don’t move when chewing or speaking and can function just as well as - if not better than - the natural teeth they replace.
A dental implant is made of three key components working together to create a strong, stable, and natural-feeling replacement tooth.
1. The implant post (the “titanium screw”):
This small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth root once was. Over the next few months, the bone bonds to the implant in a process called osseointegration. This creates a stable foundation, much like a natural tooth root.
2. The abutment (the “connector”):
Once the implant has fully integrated and fused with the bone, a connector piece called an abutment is attached. The abutment extends slightly above the gumline and serves as the attachment point for the final crown.
3. The crown (the “visible, chewing portion”):
Finally, a custom-made porcelain or ceramic crown is secured to the abutment. This crown is shaped and color matched to seamlessly blend into your surrounding teeth, resulting in a replacement that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth—often even stronger!
Together, these three parts allow dental implants to restore chewing ability, prevent bone loss, and provide long-lasting results that feel completely natural.
At Old Town Smiles in Alexandria, VA, Dr. Seema Ahmed and Dr. Mohammad Barra use advanced surgical techniques and cutting-edge 3D planning technology to ensure the implant is placed with pinpoint precision. This integration with your jawbone allows the implant to function like a natural tooth root, restoring full chewing power, preventing bone loss, and offering long-term stability and health for your smile.
What are the key benefits of choosing dental implants over dentures or bridges?
Dental implants offer a wide range of advantages that extend far beyond aesthetics. Unlike removable dentures—which can slip, shift, or cause sore spots—implants are securely anchored into your jawbone. This stability allows you to eat, speak, and smile with total confidence. Implants also outperform traditional dental bridges because they do not require healthy neighboring teeth to be shaved down to support the restoration.
A major advantage of implants is their ability to stimulate the jawbone, just like natural tooth roots. This prevents the bone loss and facial profile changes that often occur after tooth loss. Implants are also virtually indistinguishable from real teeth and provide exceptional comfort.
At Old Town Smiles, we take a fully personalized approach to implant care, ensuring your treatment aligns with your oral health needs, lifestyle, and esthetic goals. Our comfort-focused environment, including therapy dog options and a judgement-free, compassionate team, helps even the most anxious patients feel at ease. These thoughtful details create a welcoming experience and help patients confidently take the next step toward restoring their smiles.
How long do dental implants last, and what is their success rate?
With proper placement and good long-term maintenance, dental implants can last 30 years or more, and many patients enjoy their implants for a lifetime. Implant longevity depends on factors such as oral hygiene, bone health, routine dental checkups, and overall systemic health.
Dental implants also boast an exceptionally high success rate—typically 95–98%—especially when placed by highly experienced clinicians using advanced technology.
At Old Town Smiles, Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Barra bring years of experience and a meticulous, precision-driven approach to every implant case. Collectively performing more than 10,000 procedures, and repeatedly recognized as Top Dentists by Washingtonian Magazine, they utilize leading dental labs and advanced digital dentistry tools (including zero-radiation scanning) to deliver predictable, long-lasting results. This level of expertise supports not only excellent esthetics, but also optimal long-term oral function and implant success.
What is the dental implant treatment process and recovery time?
Your personalized dental implant journey at Old Town Smiles begins with a comprehensive consultation and diagnostic evaluation. Using cutting-edge digital imaging and 3D scanning technology (without the need for traditional X-rays), Dr. Ahmed or Dr. Barra will assess your bone quality, gum health, and overall suitability for treatment. If necessary, preparatory procedures such as bone grafting or periodontal therapy will be discussed during this visit.
The implant placement procedure is performed right here in our Alexandria office, typically under local anesthesia, with additional comfort options available for patients with dental anxiety. During the procedure, the titanium implant is placed into the jawbone and begins the healing process known as osseointegration, where the bone fuses to the implant. This phase generally takes around 3 months. Many patients opt to receive a temporary tooth during this time, allowing them to smile confidently throughout the healing period.
Once the implant has fully integrated, your custom permanent crown is created using advanced smile design technology and securely attached to the implant. Most patients experience minimal downtime, often returning to normal daily activities within 24–48 hours. Our team carefully monitors your healing through follow-up visits to ensure a smooth, supportive recovery and exceptional long-term results.
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