Dental Implants

So you’re missing a tooth. Or maybe multiple. You may just be starting to look into what dental implants are, if they’re the right solution for you. Or you might already have a dental implant surgery scheduled! Either way, it’s safe to assume you may be curious about what getting dental implants may entail. Well good news. At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, we’re dental implant experts and we’re here to educate you on everything you can expect when receiving dental implants.

Understanding Dental Implants

First off, let’s cover the basics of what dental implants actually are. Dental implants are medical devices surgically implanted into the jaw to restore a person's ability to chew or their appearance. They provide support for artificial (fake) teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. There are many situations where someone may lose a natural tooth; severe damage or decay, genetics, or a simple accident, and it’s more common than you may think! Dental implants are the best way to treat tooth loss for a variety of reasons. When an individual experiences tooth loss, there are great complications that can come from it such as defective speech, changes in chewing ability that may cause discomfort, rapid bone loss, and changes to the appearance of ones face. But replacing a missing tooth or teeth with a dental implant will help to prevent these issues while improving a patient’s quality of life and oral heath.

A dental implant body is just a titanium post that is surgically fused to the jawbone to act as the artificial root of a tooth. That’s it! But the entire dental implant system consists of the dental implant body, the abutment which may also include an abutment fixation screw, and the prosthetic, often a dental bridge or even more commonly, a dental crown. The prosthetic is the part of the dental implant system that is actually seen and mimics what the natural teeth look like (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2023).

What are Dental Implants Made of?

Most often, dental implants are made from either pure titanium, or a titanium alloy which helps to make the implant even stronger. Titanium has been used for over 50 years, and there’s good reason for it. They are low cost, and more importantly, they are biologically compatible. Titanium is a bioinert material, which means once placed inside of the human body, it will have very minimal interaction with the tissues surrounding it other than being capable of bonding with that tissues. It is also a safe material to be used on most individuals who have metal allergies or sensitivities as it is hypoallergenic.

The Dental Implant Process

Typically, when receiving a dental implant there are three main stages of the process. (Some individuals may need a bone graft before getting a dental implant. See if a bone graft may be necessary for you here.) The first stage is where we surgically place the implant into the jawbone. After it is placed, we recommend consuming a diet of soft foods throughout the healing process. The second stage is osseointegration, which means ‘combines with the bone’. No surprise here, this is the healing phase where the bone grows around the implant and holds it in place. This is also one of the main reasons why dental implants are so strong. This stage can take several months before the prosthetics can be attached to the implant (though in some situations, a patient may be able to have the implants and the replacement teeth placed in the same visit). The final stage is the placement of the prosthetic, most commonly a dental crown. It is created to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth so it is virtually impossible to tell your natural teeth from the artificial teeth. Once the artificial tooth is attached, that’s it! You have successfully received a dental implant. (American Dental Association, 2023).

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Here’s a quick overview of some of the amazing benefits of dental implants:

  • Titanium implants are incredibly strong and highly resistant to fracture.
  • Researchers have been analyzing them since they were created around 1965, and according to research, dental implants have an incredibly high success rate of over 95%.
  • They are long lasting. If you have titanium dental implants, properly care for your oral hygiene and keep up with regular dental visits, it’s very likely your implants could last your entire life!
  • Preservation of your jawbone. When a natural tooth falls out or is extracted, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate. This is because the root of the tooth that stimulates nerves in the jawbone and therefore creates growth, is no longer there. However, a dental implant simulates that action and can help prevent and even at times reverse bone deterioration.

Dental Implants in the Seattle Area

Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center provides the best dental implants in the Seattle area, with our doctors Dr. Russell Johnson and Dr. Michael Johnson being the only two board certified prosthodontists in Bellevue and two of only a handful in the entire state of Washington! Take a look at our smile gallery and patient reviews to see what over 30 years of combined training and experience looks like to our loyal clientele. If you are in need of dental implants, or are simply wanting an expert opinion on your options to treat missing teeth, give us a call at (425)549-4649 or schedule a consultation today!

“I can't find words to express how happy I am with the result of your superb work: 'my teeth' look great, function perfectly, and feel like they have been my own all along. Despite my fear and worries, my experience with the dental treatment you provided and in your office was the best. Your sensibility, patience, knowledge, and expertise were a trust builder, and I felt I was in the right place and in the right hands. Karen and Terry also played an important role with their help and support. I can't thank you and the girls enough. There is a French proverb that says that 'gratitude is the heart's memory,' so I will be forever grateful." - Washington State Prosthodontics Patient.