Dental Implants

We still use many kinds of restorations at Lakeside Dentistry, but it’s undeniable that the ability to replace individual teeth with implants has revolutionized the dental field. There was a time when older patients were commonly fitted with dentures if they experienced periodontal decay and were treated for most of their lives as if their teeth would inevitably be extracted. But that’s no longer the case. While dentures may be the best solution for some patients, the advancement of endosteal implants means that dentists no longer have to remove healthy teeth to make room for a denture, sparing the patient’s jawbone and facial structure along with the teeth.

There’s much more to teeth than the crown, which is the part you see above the gum line. The root of the tooth is anchored in the jawbone, but it also provides the jawbone with stability. Think of how trees hold soil in place, and you’ll have an idea of what teeth do for the skull. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone dissolves, and for a tooth to be replaced there must be enough bone for the root to fuse to. Sometimes, when there isn’t enough bone structure left for an implant, the specialist grafts new material onto the jawbone in a separate operation which takes place about nine months before the implant can be inserted.

The actual implant is a titanium screw or post, which the specialist makes an incision into the gum to place. It will take several months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. During this time, the patient will wear a temporary crown to fill the gap between the teeth and protect the surgical site. At the return visit, we will screw an abutment to the implant, and make a mold of the patient’s mouth which will be used to manufacture an artificial crown. The porcelain construction material complements the titanium base to make a very strong and aesthetically pleasing restoration.

Placing the crown is the probably the easiest part of the restoration for the patient. Usually, only local numbing is required. Implants have a very high success rate and can last for more than ten years with the same care used for natural teeth. Patients are able to regain the full use of their mouths, and best of all, the implants can help restore the bone structure around the mouth, as well.

For more information please visit us at www.lakesidedentistry-yakima.com or call us at 509-494-0121.