Implant Restoration That Makes Your Implant Look and Feel Like Your Own Tooth

You have already done the hard part. The implant is in, and it has healed. What is left is the part you will actually see and use every day.

That part is our job. At Tooth Doc Family Dentistry, Dr. Ahmad handles implant restoration, turning a healed implant into a tooth that looks like it has always belonged in your smile. She is never in a hurry with this work, and she will tell you plainly what you need and what you can skip. Some patients come to us straight from their surgeon. Others find us on their own after the healing wraps up, and that is completely fine too.

Whenever you are set to finish your implant, request an appointment or call us at (703) 793-0076.

What Implant Restoration Covers and Where Our Part Begins

An implant has three parts, and it helps to know which one is which. The post goes into the jawbone and does the job of a root. On top of the post sits a small connector called an abutment. The crown attaches to that, and the crown is the tooth everyone sees.

Your surgeon takes care of the post. Over the next few months, the bone slowly grows around it (dentists call this osseointegration), and once that happens, we step in to fit the abutment and build your crown. Dr. Ahmad keeps her focus on this restorative work and leaves the surgical side to specialists. We think that split makes sense because each person does what they do best. It is also why patients look to us as a dental implants provider Herndon VA families can trust for the finishing stage.

Many people think the implant is done once the post is in, but it is really only halfway there. The other worry we hear most is that the new tooth will look fake. Honestly, a well-made crown should put that one to rest.

An Implant Crown Is the Part of Your Implant Everyone Sees

This is the tooth people notice when you laugh, and the one you feel every time you bite into a sandwich. Dr. Ahmad shapes each crown to sit naturally next to your own teeth. She holds a shade guide up beside them to find the right color, because even a small mismatch can catch the eye in bright light. Porcelain and zirconia are the usual materials, and both have a slight glow that looks a lot like real enamel.

How the crown meets your bite matters even more than how it looks. Your natural teeth sit in a tiny cushion of tissue that lets them give a little when you chew. An implant has nothing like that (it is fused right to the bone), so a crown that hits even a bit too high puts stress on it year after year. Dr. Ahmad tests your bite and keeps adjusting until it feels like your own. When you come in, we can talk about which material makes the most sense for your implant crowns.

An Implant Supported Bridge Can Replace Several Teeth While Leaving Healthy Ones Alone

Sometimes the gap is more than one tooth wide. With two or three teeth gone side by side, you might not need an implant for each one, since two implants can support a short bridge that spans the whole space.

The older way of making a bridge meant filing down the healthy teeth on both sides so they could carry it. With implants doing that work instead, your natural teeth are left alone. Patients also like how solid it feels, with nothing to clip on or glue in. Ask us about an implant supported bridge at your consultation, and we will look at whether it fits your mouth and your budget.

We Work Closely With Your Surgeon So the Handoff Goes Smoothly

Juggling two dental offices for one tooth can feel like a lot. We do our best to take that off your plate. With your okay, we ask the specialist who placed your implant for your records and X-rays. Those tell us exactly which implant system you have, and that matters more than most people realize, since the abutment and crown parts have to match it.

If anything needs clearing up before your crown goes on, we call that office ourselves. You will not be stuck in the middle passing messages. And if your case ever needs a specialist again, we will say so plainly, because sending you to the right person is part of doing this carefully.

What Happens at Each Visit During Your Restoration

No two mouths are the same, but visits tend to follow a predictable order.

• We start with a healing check. Dr. Ahmad looks at your gums and takes an X-ray to make sure the bone has grown snugly around the implant.
• Next come impressions of your bite, which the dental lab uses to build your crown.
• The abutment usually goes on at the following visit, and some patients wear a temporary crown for a little while so the gums can settle.
• Your permanent crown is attached once it comes back from the lab.
• We like to see you again a few weeks after that, just to check how everything is settling in.

Most of these visits are fairly short. If you need a break at any point, raise your hand, and we will stop.

If you have a question about your implant, reach out whenever you are ready, and we will go over your records with you before anything begins.

Your Estimated Cost Comes First at Our Herndon Office

No one wants a surprise bill after months of treatment. That is why we verify your benefits and walk you through your estimated cost before any work starts. We file the insurance claim for you as well.

We take most PPO plans (Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, and Blue Cross Blue Shield among them), and we accept Medicaid. Plans vary widely in what they cover for dental implants and implant crowns, so your final cost depends on your policy. CareCredit financing is available if you would like to break the balance into monthly payments. Our Saturday hours, 9 AM to 3 PM, mean you will not have to take time off work.

Questions About Finishing Your Implant

How long after my implant goes in can I get my crown?
It is usually somewhere between three and six months, but bodies heal at different speeds. Your surgeon is the one who gives the green light. Once they do, just call us to book your first visit.

Does getting the crown put on hurt?
Most people are surprised by how little they feel. There is no nerve inside a healed implant, so it mostly feels like pressure, and we can numb your gums first if they are sore.

Can I whiten my teeth after I get an implant crown?
Whitening will not change the crown. The gel works on natural enamel, and porcelain and zirconia simply do not respond to it. So if a brighter smile is on your list, do the whitening first, and we will match your crown to the new shade.

How long will my implant crown last, and how do I care for it?
The honest answer is that it varies from person to person. Daily care and habits like clenching or grinding make the biggest difference in how long a crown holds up, so we do not promise a set number of years. Caring for one is mostly what you already do for your other teeth (brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular cleanings), with a little extra attention along the gumline, since the gums around an implant can still get inflamed even though the crown itself cannot decay. If you grind at night, a night guard is worth having.

My implant healed a while ago, but I never got the crown. Is that a problem?
There is nothing to feel bad about here. Life, money, and nerves pull plenty of people away before the last step. Often the implant can still be restored, and a quick exam and X-ray will tell us where things stand.

Request an Appointment when you are ready. Call us at (703) 793-0076 or book online, and feel free to ask about coverage before you schedule.