Dental implants replace your tooth and root, which is the closest you can get to a natural tooth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement, and for good reason. Unlike any other option, they restore both the tooth and the root, making them the closest thing to a natural tooth you can get.

At McLean Dental Loft, our dentists design custom implant restorations while working with a trusted specialist for placement. Our team guides you through the collaborative process step by step for ease and convenience.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

Dental implants use three integral pieces to replace your tooth and root:

The implant — Carefully placed into your jawbone, where the biocompatible material integrates and fuses with your bone to restore your root.
The abutment — A connector piece that securely joins the implant with its restoration.
The restoration — For single tooth replacement, our dentists design and customize a porcelain crown. For an entire arch or multiple missing teeth, we can use two to six dental implants to support a bridge or denture.

Dental implants are highly versatile, as even patients missing multiple teeth or an entire arch can benefit from them.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

When you’re thinking about tooth replacement, here are a few important facts to consider about dental implants in McLean to help you make your final decision.

Natural Look and Feel

Dental implants have the appearance, feel, and function of a natural tooth.

Restored Function

When you replace a missing tooth, it preserves bite alignment and chewing function.

Jawbone Protection

An implant keeps your jawbone healthy and stable, helping you avoid the deterioration that accompanies tooth loss.

Excellent Longevity

A dental implant can potentially last a lifetime when it’s properly cared for with daily brushing and routine dental exams.

Enhanced Confidence

You’ll enjoy feeling confident again about chewing your food properly and sharing your restored smile with others.

Wise Smile Investment

A tooth implant can be a great long-term investment for your smile due to its excellent longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I care for my dental implant?

Dental implants are among the most durable and natural-feeling tooth-replacement options available. With the right care, they can last a lifetime. While implants themselves cannot develop cavities, the surrounding gum tissue and bone still require consistent attention to keep your implant healthy and stable for years to come.

Caring for Your Dental Implant

Here is what we recommend for day-to-day implant care:

Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid whitening toothpaste, since it can be abrasive. Brush gently around the area where the implant meets the gumline, as plaque can accumulate there just as it would around a natural tooth.
Floss daily or use a water flosser to clean the spaces around and beneath the implant crown. Keeping this area free of debris is essential for preventing gum inflammation and infection.
Avoid excessive force. While implants are highly resilient, habits such as eating ice, biting your fingernails, or using your teeth as tools can place stress on the implant crown and surrounding structures.
Wear a nightguard if recommended. If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep, a custom nightguard can protect your implant from the excessive pressure that can compromise its longevity over time.
Avoid smoking. Tobacco use is one of the leading risk factors for implant failure, as it impairs healing and reduces blood flow to the gum tissue and bone that support your implant.

Schedule Routine Visits with Your McLean Dentist

Beyond your at-home routine, regular professional care is just as important:

Attend your routine dental cleanings and checkups. Our team will monitor the health of your implant, check for signs of bone loss or gum disease, and professionally clean hard-to-reach areas at home.
Let us know right away if you notice any discomfort, looseness, swelling, or changes around your implant. Catching potential issues early is the best way to protect your long-term results.

With the right habits and ongoing care from our team at McLean Dental Loft, your dental implant can serve you beautifully for decades to come. If you have any questions about your implant or your oral hygiene routine, we're always happy to help.

Why Tooth Replacement Matters

What if you can’t see your missing tooth? Is it really that important to replace it?

Tooth replacement goes beyond just the aesthetics of your smile. Tooth loss affects your health in ways you might not have considered.

Bone loss — When you don’t replace a tooth, your jawbone begins to deteriorate since it doesn’t have a root to support. This impacts support for surrounding teeth.
Tooth shifting — Without a replacement, neighboring teeth begin to drift into the open spaces. This can result in bite misalignment.
Confidence — When you don’t feel good about the appearance of your smile, you may not interact with other people confidently.
Bite function — A missing tooth impacts your bite and ability to chew your food properly.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’d like to learn more about how dental implants at McLean Dental Loft might benefit your smile and oral health, we’d love to discuss your options.

Request your appointment online or talk with our team at (703) 775-4949 to schedule.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr. Ardalan Sanati and Dr. Shohreh Shahram

Dr. Ardalan Sanati and Dr. Shohreh Shahram are the husband-and-wife owner-dentists behind McLean Dental Loft, bringing a shared passion for exceptional, detail-oriented dental care to every patient they serve.

Both doctors completed their undergraduate education at Semmelweis University in Budapest in 2003 and subsequently earned their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degrees from the New York University College of Dentistry in 2008.

They were both drawn to dentistry by the same core belief—that small details can make a big difference in someone's daily life. At McLean Dental Loft, their greatest reward comes ...

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Dental Implants Technology

CBCT Cone Beam Technology

Our dentists use leading-edge CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) technology to elevate dental imaging. Unlike traditional x-rays, CBCT produces detailed, three-dimensional images of your teeth, jaw, nerves, and surrounding structures, giving us a comprehensive view that leads to more accurate diagnoses and precise treatment planning.

With faster scans, lower radiation exposure, and superior imaging, CBCT ensures you receive the highest standard of care.

SEE OUR TECHNOLOGY

Testimonial

Very quick and zero pain. Highly recommend!

Dr. Sanati was phenomenal with my inlay procedure - very caring, constantly checked in to make sure I was doing ok and what they could do to make the procedure more comfortable.

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