If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants and crowns can replace both the natural tooth and the root. A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and feeling like a natural tooth, the implant preserves the bone in which it is placed. With an implant there is often no need to involve adjacent teeth as with a bridge. The implant, a screw device, is placed into the bone and during the healing period it bonds with your natural bone to form a secure anchor. Once healed, your dentist will place a natural-looking crown over the implant post. Implants are very strong, and restore missing teeth with the most natural-looking results.

A new tooth from the root up.

An implant is modern dentistry’s way of replacing an entire missing tooth, including its roots. So it’s not surprising that it takes three steps to accomplish it. The first step is to provide an artificial “anchor” for the missing tooth’s root. Tiny titanium fixtures (screws) are surgically implanted in your jawbone by a gum specialist. Either local or general anesthesia can be used.

Three to nine months later, the living bone in the mouth has bonded permanently with the fixture, and it’s time for the next step: the dentist to attach a post to the fixture. Finally, a crown, bridge or tooth-anchored denture is attached to the post. This replacement tooth will have been carefully shaped to fit in perfectly with the rest of your teeth, to make your smile better than new.

Here’s an example of the difference implants can make:

Before

After

For a dental implant in Bellevue

If you live in Seattle or Bellevue, contact us today to schedule an appointment to beautify your smile!