Multiple Teeth & Single Tooth Implant
Ferndale, WA
Implants provided by Kelsey Ullsmith, DMD
in Ferndale, WA at Dentistry with Smiles
 Losing a tooth not only deals a devastating blow to your self-esteem. Lost teeth can also severely negatively impact your quality of life, leading to pain and discomfort when you try to bite or chew.
Furthermore, losing a tooth can lead to gum loss, bone loss, and the loss of more teeth. Tooth loss needs to be promptly addressed to prevent further complications.
At Dentistry with Smiles, Dr. Ullsmith and our Ferndale dental team have restored many smiles to their beautiful, former glory through the aid of single and multiple dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When a person loses a tooth, they are suddenly faced with many questions that they may have not even realized that they had. For instance, they may be wondering what their best restoration option is and how they can proceed with addressing their lost tooth.
Dental implants are a fantastic option for many of our patients, giving them back their confidence and their comfort.
Dental implants look and feel just like real teeth. Unlike dentures, which can shift or click or even pop out unexpectedly while eating or talking, dental implants will not move around in your mouth. That means that they will completely restore your bite force, allowing you to eat all of your favorite foods once more.
Dentures can lead to uncomfortable cuts and abrasions in your mouth and may need constant relining. They also need to be replaced every seven to ten years, even if you take good care of them. Dental implants are a permanent restoration option, which means that they can last you the rest of your life. They also do not need relining, as they are custom fit to your mouth.
Placing a Dental Implant
Getting a dental implant is a multi-stage process and typically is not completed in just one appointment. That is because it does take time for the dental implant to secure itself into your mouth completely. The implant is made out of a special type of metal, called titanium, which fuses directly to the bone itself. This is known as osseointegration, which helps keep the implant strong and secure inside your mouth.
It is important to know the three main parts of your dental implant. The titanium post is the piece that goes directly into your jawbone. It attaches to abutment, which is a connector component. The abutment then connects to the restoration itself, which is typically a dental crown. This is the part of the implant that resembles the actual tooth itself.
During your first appointment for this procedure, we will start by thoroughly numbing the site up with local anesthetic. We will then place an incision into the gums to expose the jawbone. The implant is then placed directly into the bone. The site is then closed with sutures and allowed to heal. This may take up to six months or longer. Once it is healed, we will then finally have you come back to get your crown.
Taking Care of your Implant
It is vital to know that you will need to take care of your dental implant like you would take care of a real tooth. If you do not maintain your oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, you may be at greater risk of implant failure. Patients who smoke or use tobacco products are also at greater risk of dental implant failure.
However, if you take good care of it, then you can count on having it for your entire life. Generally, dental implants have a greater than 98 percent success rate.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants, or you would like to schedule an appointment with us here at Dentistry with Smiles to determine if you may be a good candidate for them, please contact us today at (360) 647-1715! |
