Dental Implants: Restore the Health & Function of Your Smile

*According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

With a consistently high long-term success rate, dental implants are an incredible break-through in restorative dentistry. Like all surgeries, however, there will be a certain degree of risk involved in the procedure. Risks include:

• Implant failure. When an implant does not properly fuse with the bone tissue, complications can occur. This can cause the implant to eventually become loose.
• Infection
• Improper or poorly planned placement resulting in implants disturbing nerves or the sinus membranes

The single most effective way a patient can reduce the risk of dental implant complications is choosing a dentist with the right training, experience, and reputation like the team at Han & Ahn DMP, PC in McLean, VA.

In the period following your surgery, you should expect some discomfort, minor bleeding, and swelling. However, with your unique treatment plan in mind, our dentists can provide personalized instructions on how to to best approach these side effects.

• Swelling: Apply ice packs to your cheeks during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling, discomfort, and bruising. Sleeping with your head elevated help can ease swelling, as well. 
• Pain: To manage discomfort, our dentists can prescribe pain medication. Depending on your needs, we may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers in combination with your prescription. 
• Bleeding: We will apply gauze to the surgical site to stop the bleeding in your gums. Should you notice excessive bleeding, contact our McLean, VA, office immediately. 

To reduce the risk of infection, our dentist may prescribe antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash, as well. You may be able to return to work as soon as two to three days after surgery if you feel like you are recovering quickly. However, any strenuous physical activity should be avoided until you are cleared by your doctor. Stitches will be removed one to two weeks following surgery. 

Maintaining proper at-home oral hygiene care is paramount. With this in mind, you should carefully and slowly brush the area around the placement sites to avoid irritating your incisions. A soft-bristled toothbrush should be used for this care.

It is important to keep your mouth clean and free from food particles that could become trapped in your gums. Rinse your mouth out thoroughly after each meal, taking care to let the water fall out of your mouth rather than forcefully spitting.

You will be prescribed a soft food diet for the first few days. Once you are sufficiently healed, you will be able to enjoy all your favorite foods with your new smile.

Unlike many dental practices, Dr. Han performs every aspect of implant dentistry on-site, ranging from preparatory procedures such as bone grafting and sinus lifts, to the placement of implants along with a wide range of restorations.

With dual specialty certifications in periodontics/implantology and fixed prosthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Han expertly performs all dental and surgical procedures related to implant dentistry, including preparatory treatments such as bone grafting and tissue grafting, as well as implant-supported restorations, hybrid dentures, and crowns.

Dental Implants: A Foundational Restorative Procedure

Dental implants provide the foundation for a variety of restorations that can help patients achieve a better quality of life. Dr. Han offers a variety of restorative options, depending upon the patients' needs:

• Implant-supported Crowns and Bridges
• Same-day Implants (Immediate Implant Placement and Teeth)
• Fixed and Removable Dentures 
• Implant-supported Fixed Hybrid Prostheses
• Mini Implants
• All-on-4 Implants

Depending upon your needs and the condition of your teeth and jaw, Dr. Han may be able to place your implants and restorations on the same day, utilizing multiple implants or the All-on-4 method. You can discuss this with the doctor further during your consultation at our McLean, VA dental practice.

Once your final restoration is in placed, you will need to maintain them just as you do the rest of your teeth. Brush twice and floss once daily to ensure your smile stays healthy. It is important to strictly maintain a biannual dentist office visit schedule to allow our dentists to ensure your long-term oral health. With proper care and regular checkups, dental implants can provide a lifetime of service.

Why Choose
Han & Ahn DMD, PC?

Implantology is Dr. Han's area of expertise, so when you choose our practice you can rest assured that you are in good hands. In fact, Dr. Han teaches complex implant surgeries to postdoctoral residents as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He has lectured at many other universities and local, international study clubs on topics including implant surgery, gum disease, dental implants, bone grafting, and more.

Additionally, unlike many dental practices, Dr. Han performs every aspect of implant dentistry on-site, ranging from preparatory procedures such as bone grafting and sinus lifts, to the placement of implants along with a wide range of restorations. Patients often undergo this treatment as part of a full mouth rehabilitation procedure. Receiving comprehensive implant surgery under one roof is convenient and simplifies the entire process. Additionally, all surgical procedures are pre-performed in the computer after a CT (computed tomography) scan is taken in the office. This way all surgeries our McLean, VA, practice performs are simulated first before placing the actual implant.