Are you dealing with missing teeth? Then, dental implants can be the solution you’ve been searching for. The experienced team at Rainier Ave Dental in South Seattle, WA, specializes in providing high-quality dental implant services that can restore both your smile and your confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants serve as small, threaded posts designed to replace the roots of missing teeth. The majority of dental implants are crafted from titanium, although ceramic variants are also available. Both titanium and ceramic materials are deemed safe and biocompatible, ensuring compatibility with the delicate tissues within your oral cavity.
Preparation
There are two main types of implants, each with its own method of attachment to the jawbone:
Endosteal Implant
This is the more common type, resembling a screw, cylinder, or blade that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. These implants are capable of supporting one or multiple prosthetic teeth. Endosteal implants are an excellent choice for individuals who already have bridges or removable dentures.
Subperiosteal Implant
Positioned on top of the jawbone, a subperiosteal implant features posts extending from a metal framework, protruding through the gum to secure prosthetic teeth. This option is ideal for individuals who are unable to wear removable dentures or lack sufficient jawbone density to support an endosteal implant.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer numerous advantages over dentures, providing patients with a superior oral health solution:
- Enhanced Chewing Ability: Unlike dentures, which may shift uncomfortably while eating, dental implants are securely anchored in the jawbone, functioning much like natural teeth. This stability enables you to chew your favorite foods confidently and without discomfort.
- Improved Speech Clarity: Dentures that slip and slide can impede speech, causing mumbling or slurring. Dental implants offer stability, allowing you to speak clearly and confidently without worrying about your teeth shifting.
- Enhanced Comfort: Dentures can become loose over time as the shape of the gums changes, leading to discomfort and irritation. Conversely, dental implants fuse with the jawbone, providing a stable and comfortable fit that feels like natural teeth.
- Better Oral Health: Ill-fitting dentures can irritate the gums and create spaces where bacteria and fungi can thrive, increasing the risk of infection. Dental implants offer easier access for cleaning between teeth, promoting optimal gum health and reducing the risk of oral infections.
- Improved Aesthetics: Dental implants are designed to resemble natural teeth, restoring your smile and boosting your confidence. The customized crown placed over the implant seamlessly blends with your existing teeth, enhancing your appearance and self-esteem.
- Longevity: With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime, providing a durable and reliable tooth replacement solution.
- Preservation of Jawbone: Unlike dentures, which rest on the gums, dental implants are anchored in the jawbone, stimulating bone growth and preventing bone loss. This helps maintain the structure of the jawbone and prevents changes in facial appearance over time.
Am I the Right Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most individuals with missing teeth, whether it be one, several, or all, may qualify as candidates for dental implants. Generally, if you are deemed fit to undergo a tooth extraction or a root canal procedure, you could be considered eligible for dental implant placement.
The ideal candidate for dental implants typically possesses the following qualities:
- Good overall health and oral hygiene.
- A fully developed jawbone.
- Adequate bone volume in the jaw to support the implant or are receptive to undergoing a bone graft procedure if necessary.
- Healthy gum tissue devoid of periodontal disease.
- Absence of any medical conditions that hinder bone healing processes within the body.
- Non-smoker status.
- Willingness to devote several months to the implantation process, recognizing its duration and commitment required for successful outcomes.
What to Expect During Dental Implant Procedure?
Our experienced and qualified dentists at Rainier Ave Dental will carefully plan and execute your dental implant procedure to ensure optimal results. The process typically involves several stages:
- Consultation and Evaluation: We will discuss your dental history, missing teeth, and goals. A thorough oral examination, including X-rays and CT scans, will be performed to assess your bone health and suitability for implants.
- Treatment Planning: A personalized treatment plan will be developed, outlining the number and placement of implants, the type of restoration, and any necessary preparatory procedures.
- Implant Placement: Under local anesthesia or sedation, the implant post(s) will be surgically placed in your jawbone. Stitches may be used to close the incision site. Healing time typically takes several months to allow for osseointegration, where the implant fuses with the jawbone.
- Abutment Placement: Once the implant has integrated with the bone, a small connector piece called an abutment will be attached to the implant post.
- Restoration Placement: The final restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, will be custom-made to fit your smile perfectly and securely attached to the abutment.
How Much Does Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are a long-term investment and are priced accordingly. The comprehensive cost per tooth, from initial placement to completion, typically falls within the range of $3,000 to $4,500. For individuals requiring a full set of implants, the total expenditure typically ranges from $60,000 to $90,000.
Get Dental Implant Treatment in South Seattle, WA
Ready to transform your smile with dental implants? Schedule a consultation with Rainier Ave Dental today. Our friendly team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs, helping you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve. Contact us now to get started!
FAQs
What are the 3 stages of dental implants?
The number of stages required for your dental implant procedure can vary based on your individual circumstances. Typically, the process involves several key steps. Initially, you’ll undergo surgery to have the implant placed into your jawbone. Following this, there will be a healing period during which your bone fuses with the implant. Subsequently, another surgical procedure may be necessary to attach a connector piece known as an abutment. Once you’ve fully healed from this step, your dentist will then proceed to affix your replacement tooth, completing the implant process.
How long do dental implants last?
At present, dental implants stand as the most enduring solution for replacing missing teeth. When appropriately cared for, they have the potential to endure a lifetime. Nonetheless, it’s essential to note that the restoration placed atop the dental implant may require replacement eventually. While many crowns and bridges typically offer longevity of about 15 years, and most dentures can last for at least seven years, the specific timeline can vary from case to case.
Are dental implants safe?
Certainly, dental implants are deemed safe when administered by a proficient and seasoned surgeon. For over half a century, dentists have endorsed dental implants as a reliable solution. If your teeth and gums are in good health, and you pledge to maintain proper oral hygiene, dental implants can serve as a lasting remedy for tooth loss.