OUR PROCEDURES

Dental Implants

Restoring Your Beautiful Smile with Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist – a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Seattle SmileWorks Seattle Family Dentist Dental Implants Procedures

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons For Dental Implants:

  • Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  • Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
  • Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  • Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  • Repair damaged and decayed teeth.
  • Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.

What Does Getting Implants Involve?

  • The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.
  • You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.
  • X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.
  • After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete. After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

“I went to Seattle SmileWorks after having some prior dental work that was very poor. Seattle SmileWorks and his staff were kind, patient and listened to my concerns. It was a refreshing and needed change. He explained the treatment procedures and worked with us, respectfully. I highly recommend Seattle SmileWorks to anyone, but especially those with high anxiety.”