top of page
DuPont Circle | Washington, DC
Downtown McLean | Virginia
All Posts


Ailing vs. Failing vs. Failed Dental Implant: What's the Difference?
Not every dental implant complication means the implant needs to be removed. Implant problems exist on a spectrum, from inflammation around an otherwise stable implant to progressive bone loss and, in some cases, complete loss of integration. You may hear terms such as ailing implant, failing implant, and failed implant used to describe different situations. While terminology can vary among clinicians, the underlying question is the same: Is the implant still stable, is the s
Aug 276 min read


Dental Implants vs. Dentures vs. Bridges: Which Tooth Replacement Option Is Right for You?
If you're missing one or more teeth, you have real choices — and the right one depends on your specific situation, your health, your goals, and your budget. This isn't a post written to steer you toward the most expensive option. It's a genuine comparison of the three main tooth replacement approaches, written so you can walk into any consultation fully informed. Option 1: Dental Implants A dental implant is a titanium or zirconia post that is surgically placed in the jawbone
Aug 207 min read


When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary? 7 Reasons a Tooth May Need to Be Removed
Oral surgeons and dentists work hard to save natural teeth whenever possible. But sometimes, tooth extraction is genuinely the healthiest, safest, or most predictable option. Understanding why a tooth might need to be removed can help you feel more confident in a treatment recommendation, and can also help you recognize warning signs earlier, when more conservative treatment options may still be on the table. In this guide, we'll cover seven common reasons a tooth may need to
Aug 187 min read


Told You’re Not a Candidate for Dental Implants? What It Really Means
We hear some version of this sentence in almost every week of consultations: "I was told I'm not a candidate for dental implants." Sometimes it comes from a patient who has been missing teeth for years and assumed implants were just off the table. Sometimes it's a patient who has been to three different offices and gotten three different answers, and they're exhausted and defeated. Here's what we want every one of those patients to know: "you're not a candidate" is often not
Aug 175 min read


Is there a risk of nerve damage during wisdom teeth surgery?
Numbness after a dental procedure is expected — for a few hours. But when that numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the lip, chin, cheek, or tongue lasts for days, weeks, or longer, it has a name: paresthesia. It is one of the complications patients worry about most before wisdom tooth surgery, and understandably so — the lips and tongue are central to eating, speaking, and simply feeling like yourself. Dr. Zach Saltman, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon and
Aug 136 min read


Zirconia vs. Titanium Dental Implants: Which Is Right for You?
If you've started researching dental implants, you've probably already encountered two big words: zirconia and titanium. Both are excellent options. Both can last a lifetime. But they are not the same — and the right choice depends on your anatomy, your health history, your aesthetic goals, and the skill of the surgeon placing them. At Saltman Implantology & Oral Surgery, we offer both. More importantly, Dr. Saltman is the only oral surgeon in the Washington, DC metropolitan
Aug 54 min read


Same-Day Teeth: Should Your Final Zirconia Teeth Really Be Placed Immediately?
One of the most common questions patients bring to their full-arch implant consultation is some version of this: "I saw an ad saying I can walk out with permanent teeth the same day. Is that real? And should I do it?" It's a fair question — and it deserves an honest answer. Same-day teeth are real. Whether they should be your final teeth is a different question entirely, and the answer depends on something many practices advertising this procedure don't explain upfront. What
Jul 64 min read
Dr. Saltman's Expert Guide to Dental Implants: Getting It Right the First Time
Make Informed Decisions About Your Dental Implant Treatment in Washington DC Choosing to replace missing teeth with dental implants is one of the most important healthcare decisions you'll make. Your choice will affect your appearance, quality of life, and oral health for decades to come. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who subspecializes in implant dentistry and tissue engineering , I've helped hundreds of patients navigate this journey at Saltman Impla
Jan 287 min read
Top Oral Surgeon in Washington DC & McLean VA | Saltman Oral Surgery
Expert Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Near You Are you searching for a board-certified oral surgeon in Washington DC or McLean VA for wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or bone grafting? Dr. Zach Saltman at Saltman Implantology and Oral Surgery offers premier oral and maxillofacial surgical care with two convenient locations in DuPont Circle, Washington DC and McLean, Virginia . With over 12 years of experience, Dr. Saltman has earned the trust of dentists and patients t
Jan 274 min read
bottom of page