Dental implants provide a stable, long-term way to replace missing teeth. They may be used to replace a single missing tooth, support a bridge for several missing teeth, or stabilize a denture when traditional removable options do not provide enough support.
Dr. John Savukinas has provided dental implant services for 34 years. His clinical experience includes restoring more than 2,500 dental implants, placing more than 300 implants, and completing more than 600 implant-supported or snap-in denture cases.
At our office, treatment begins with a detailed evaluation of your teeth, gums, jawbone, bite, and overall oral health. Dr. Savukinas will explain your implant options and determine whether dental implants in Rockville, Maryland, may be appropriate for you.
Interested in replacing missing teeth?
Call 301-738-1155 or request a dental implant consultation online.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small post placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Most dental implants are made from titanium, a biocompatible material that can integrate with the surrounding bone through a healing process called osseointegration.
After the implant has healed and become stable, an abutment connects it to the final dental restoration.
Depending on the number of missing teeth, implants may support:
- A dental crown for one missing tooth
- An implant-supported bridge for several missing teeth
- An implant-supported denture
- A full-arch restoration supported by multiple implants
The final restoration is designed to provide a secure biting surface while complementing the appearance of your natural teeth.
How the Dental Implant Process Works
Dental implant treatment is completed in stages. The exact process and timeline depend on your oral health, available bone, number of missing teeth, and the type of restoration being planned.
Dental Implant Consultation
Dr. Savukinas will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and jawbone. He will also review your medical and dental history and discuss what you want to accomplish with treatment.
Diagnostic imaging may include digital X-rays or cone beam imaging.
These images help evaluate:
- Available jawbone
- Nearby tooth roots
- The location of important anatomical structures
- The condition of neighboring teeth
- The proposed implant position
This information helps Dr. Savukinas determine whether implant treatment can proceed as planned or whether additional preparation may be needed.
Preparing the Implant Site
Some patients can proceed directly to implant placement. Others may need preliminary treatment to improve the health or structure of the implant site.
Preparatory treatment may include:
- Treatment for active gum disease
- Removal of a damaged or nonrestorable tooth
- Bone grafting when additional bone support is needed
- Management of infection or inflammation
Not every patient needs these procedures. Dr. Savukinas will explain whether any preparation is recommended before implant placement.
Dental Implant Placement
During implant placement, the implant post is positioned within the jawbone. The area is then allowed to heal while the implant integrates with the surrounding bone.
Dr. Savukinas has 18 years of experience placing dental implants and has completed more than 300 implant placement cases.
Healing and Osseointegration
The healing period often takes several months. This allows the implant to develop the stability needed to support the final restoration.
Healing time varies based on:
- Implant location
- Bone quality
- Overall health
- Tobacco use
- Whether bone grafting was performed
- How the surgical site responds during healing
Dr. Savukinas will monitor your progress before moving forward with the restorative phase.
Dental Implant Restoration
Once the implant is ready, an abutment and final restoration are connected to the implant.
Dr. Savukinas has 34 years of implant restoration experience and has completed more than 2,500 implant restorations.
Depending on the case, the final restoration may be a crown, bridge, implant-supported denture, or full-arch prosthesis.
Dental Implants for One Missing Tooth
A single dental implant can replace one missing tooth without relying on neighboring teeth for support.
After the implant has integrated with the bone, a custom crown is attached to restore the visible portion of the tooth.
This option may help preserve adjacent tooth structure because neighboring teeth do not usually need to be reshaped to support the restoration.
A single-tooth implant may be considered when:
- One tooth is missing or cannot be restored
- The neighboring teeth are healthy
- There is adequate bone for implant placement
- The gums are healthy enough to support treatment
- The bite can accommodate an implant restoration
Dental Implants for Multiple Missing Teeth
When several neighboring teeth are missing, dental implants may support a bridge.
Rather than placing one implant for every missing tooth, strategically positioned implants can sometimes support a connected restoration.
The number and location of implants depend on:
- The length of the missing-tooth space
- Available bone
- Bite forces
- The health of remaining teeth
- The design of the final restoration
Dr. Savukinas will explain whether individual implants, an implant-supported bridge, or another treatment option is more appropriate.
Dental Implants vs. Bridges and Dentures
Dental implants are one of several ways to replace missing teeth. The best option depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of neighboring teeth, available bone, your bite, and your treatment goals.
A dental implant may be considered when you want to replace a missing tooth without relying on adjacent teeth for support.
A traditional dental bridge uses neighboring teeth to support the replacement tooth or teeth.
A removable denture may replace several or all missing teeth without implant surgery, while implant-supported dentures use implants for added stability.
During your consultation, Dr. Savukinas can explain the advantages, limitations, maintenance requirements, and treatment considerations for each option.
Dental Implant Options for Extensive Tooth Loss
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, dental implants may also be used to support a full-arch restoration or implant-supported denture.
Dr. Savukinas has completed more than 600 implant-supported or snap-in denture cases. The number of implants, type of restoration, and whether the teeth are fixed or removable depend on your bone support, bite, oral health, and treatment goals.
Explore more specific treatment options:
This page focuses on general dental implant treatment. Patients who need complete arch replacement may benefit from reviewing those dedicated treatment options.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Many adults with missing teeth may be considered for implant treatment, but candidacy depends on more than the number of teeth being replaced.
Dr. Savukinas will evaluate:
- The condition of your gums
- The amount and quality of available jawbone
- The location and number of missing teeth
- Your bite and remaining natural teeth
- Your medical history
- Current medications
- Tobacco use
- Oral hygiene habits
- Your ability to heal following surgery
- Your ability to attend follow-up visits
Insufficient bone does not automatically rule out implant treatment. In selected cases, bone grafting may help prepare the site.
What If I Have Bone Loss?
Bone loss can occur after a tooth has been missing for an extended period, following infection, or as a result of periodontal disease.
If the remaining bone does not provide adequate support for an implant, Dr. Savukinas may recommend a bone graft before or during implant treatment.
Cone beam imaging can help determine the height, width, and shape of the available bone and whether grafting should be considered.
Not every area of bone loss requires grafting, and the amount of preparation varies considerably from patient to patient.
What Affects the Cost of Dental Implants?
The cost of dental implant treatment varies because every case involves a different number of teeth, implants, and supporting procedures.
Factors that may affect treatment cost include:
- The number of missing teeth being replaced
- The number of dental implants required
- Whether an extraction is needed
- Whether bone grafting is recommended
- The type of final crown, bridge, or denture
- The complexity of implant placement
- Diagnostic imaging and treatment planning
After your examination and imaging, Dr. Savukinas can explain the recommended treatment sequence and the financial considerations associated with your individual plan.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants may offer several advantages for patients with missing teeth.
Depending on the restoration, they may help:
- Restore chewing function
- Provide a secure foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture
- Reduce movement associated with some removable dentures
- Support the jawbone in the area of a missing tooth
- Avoid relying on neighboring teeth for support in selected cases
- Replace missing teeth with a natural-looking restoration
- Improve comfort while eating and speaking
Dental implants are not appropriate for every patient. A complete evaluation is needed before treatment can be recommended.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are designed to serve as a long-term tooth replacement, but longevity varies from patient to patient.
Factors that may affect long-term implant health include:
- Oral hygiene
- Gum and bone health
- Bite forces
- Clenching or grinding
- Tobacco use
- Medical conditions
- Routine professional maintenance
The implant post and the visible restoration also have different maintenance needs.
Although the implant itself cannot develop a cavity, the surrounding gum and bone can still be affected by inflammation or infection.
Caring for Dental Implants
Dental implants require daily care and professional monitoring.
Good implant care may include:
- Brushing thoroughly at least twice daily
- Cleaning between implants and neighboring teeth
- Using recommended floss, interdental brushes, or other cleaning aids
- Attending regular dental examinations and cleanings
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Reporting discomfort, movement, bleeding, or swelling promptly
- Wearing a protective appliance when recommended for clenching or grinding
Good maintenance helps protect both the implant restoration and the tissues that support it.
Why Choose Dr. Savukinas for Dental Implants?
Dental implant treatment involves both surgical and restorative planning. The final result depends not only on where the implant is placed, but also on how the replacement tooth or teeth fit the bite and function with the surrounding dentition.
Dr. Savukinas has provided dental implant services for 34 years.
His implant experience includes:
- More than 2,500 dental implants restored
- More than 300 dental implants placed
- More than 600 implant-supported or snap-in denture cases
- 34 years of dental implant restoration experience
- 18 years of dental implant placement experience
- Extensive continuing education in implant and restorative dentistry
His broader restorative experience includes more than 1,000 dental crowns, more than 1,000 dental bridges, more than 500 denture cases, and more than 500 partial denture cases.
This background allows him to evaluate both the surgical and restorative parts of implant treatment, including the condition of neighboring teeth, bite forces, prosthetic design, and long-term maintenance.
Dr. Savukinas is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
He also holds a surgical implant MISCH certificate and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
What makes someone a good candidate for dental implants?
A candidate generally needs healthy oral tissues, adequate bone support, and the ability to heal following implant placement. Dr. Savukinas will review your oral health, medical history, medications, and diagnostic images before recommending treatment.
How long does the dental implant process take?
Dental implant treatment often takes several months because the implant may need time to integrate with the jawbone before the final restoration is placed. The timeline depends on healing, bone support, the number of implants, and whether preliminary procedures are needed.
Are dental implants painful?
Local anesthesia is used during implant placement. Some soreness, swelling, or tenderness may occur afterward. Dr. Savukinas will explain what to expect and provide postoperative instructions based on your procedure.
Can one dental implant replace one missing tooth?
Yes. A single dental implant can support a crown that replaces one missing tooth. This may allow the adjacent teeth to remain unaltered when they are otherwise healthy.
Can dental implants replace several missing teeth?
Yes. Dental implants may support an implant bridge or other multi-tooth restoration. The number of implants needed depends on the size of the missing-tooth area, bone support, bite forces, and restorative design.
Do I need bone grafting before receiving an implant?
Not every patient needs bone grafting. It may be recommended when available jawbone does not provide enough support for predictable implant placement. Diagnostic imaging helps Dr. Savukinas determine whether grafting should be considered.
How much do dental implants cost?
Cost varies according to the number of implants, type of restoration, need for extractions or bone grafting, diagnostic requirements, and complexity of treatment. A personalized estimate can be provided after your examination and treatment plan are completed.
Can dental implants fail?
Implant complications can occur when an implant does not integrate properly or when infection, inflammation, excessive bite pressure, tobacco use, or other health factors affect the surrounding tissues. Careful planning, daily hygiene, and professional monitoring may help reduce risk.
How do I clean dental implants?
Brush the restoration and clean around the implant every day. Depending on the restoration, our team may recommend floss, interdental brushes, a water flosser, or another cleaning aid. Routine dental examinations and professional cleanings remain important.
What is the difference between a dental implant and an implant restoration?
The dental implant is the post positioned in the jawbone. The implant restoration is the visible crown, bridge, or denture connected to the implant. Both components work together to replace the missing tooth or teeth.
What areas do you serve?
Dr. Savukinas provides dental implants in Rockville, Maryland, and serves patients from Gaithersburg, Germantown, North Potomac, Potomac, and nearby communities.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation in Rockville, Maryland
If you are missing one tooth, several teeth, or need greater stability for a denture, a dental implant evaluation can help determine which replacement options fit your oral health and goals.
Dr. Savukinas will review your teeth, gums, bone support, diagnostic images, and restorative needs before recommending a treatment plan.
To learn whether dental implants in Rockville, MD, may be appropriate for you, call 301-738-1155 or request your consultation online.