Implants Q&A

Missing or severely damaged permanent teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. If you yearn for perfectly beautiful teeth, turn to Albemarle Dental Associates in Charlottesville, Virginia. The expert team offers dental implants to replace missing permanent teeth and give you the gorgeous smile of your dreams. Call the office to book an appointment or request one online today.


What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium tooth roots your dentist inserts into your jawbone to replace missing, severely damaged, or decaying permanent teeth. The implants serve as a strong foundation for replacement teeth like crowns and bridges. 

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Some of the many benefits you can experience with dental implants include:

  • Easier chewing
  • Clearer speech
  • Improved self-confidence
  • Improved facial contours
  • Better facial symmetry
  • No more gaps
  • No adjacent teeth shifting
  • Full set of natural-looking teeth 
  • Beautiful smile

You can count on dental implants and the artificial teeth they support to look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth. They can give you the confidence you deserve.

Are dental implants right for me?

To determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants, your Albemarle Dental Associates specialist evaluates your teeth and gums. They take dental X-rays, review your oral health history, and discuss your desired outcome. Your dentist personalizes each cosmetic dental treatment to match your needs.

If you don’t have enough jawbone to support dental implants, you may first need a bone graft. Albemarle Dental Associates providers offer several implant and bone grafting procedures, which Jeffery Hodges, DDS, has performed for more than three decades.

What happens during dental implant placement?

Getting dental implants is a multiple-step process that often takes 6-8 months. After numbing the treatment area, your provider surgically implants metal posts into your jawbone to create a strong foundation for new artificial teeth. 

Your jawbone heals around the implants for a period of several months. 

Your dentist takes impressions or a digital scan of your mouth to design artificial teeth that perfect your smile, improving its function and overall appearance. They place connector posts on each of the implants. 

When your artificial teeth are ready, your dentist attaches them securely to the connector posts.

How should I care for my new dental implants?

To properly care for your new dental implants, brush your teeth after meals and floss every day. Avoid chewing on hard objects or opening packages with your teeth. Wear a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth, and see the Albemarle Dental Associates team every six months for dental cleanings and exams.

If you’d like to learn more about dental implants and find out if they’re right for you, call the Albemarle Dental Associates office or schedule an appointment online today.