Dental Implants

An implant is a synthetic tooth that is surgically placed into the jawbone. Made of the same surgical metal as replaced hips and knees, the implant post is seated in the bone. A natural-looking replacement tooth is created and fixed to the post. 


Implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth. In fact, there are a variety of creative ways to replace missing teeth using dental implants.  If you’ve lost a tooth, (or even a few teeth), dental implants can rejuvenate and restore your smile and your overall oral health.


Dental implants should be considered the same as natural teeth. They require the same attention to brushing and flossing as natural teeth. To discuss which option is best for you, ask one of our team members about scheduling a consultation. The team at Meridian Dental are skilled in every aspect of implant dentistry in Kent, WA and we will be happy to discuss and develop the best treatment option for you.

Dental Implants

An implant is a synthetic tooth that is surgically placed into the jawbone. Made of the same surgical metal as replaced hips and knees, the implant post is seated in the bone. A natural-looking replacement tooth is created and fixed to the post. 


Implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth. In fact, there are a variety of creative ways to replace missing teeth using dental implants.  If you’ve lost a tooth, (or even a few teeth), dental implants can rejuvenate and restore your smile and your overall oral health. 


Dental implants should be considered the same as natural teeth. They require the same attention to brushing and flossing as natural teeth. To discuss which option is best for you, ask one of our team members about scheduling a consultation. The team at Meridian Dental are skilled in every aspect of implant dentistry and we will be happy to discuss and develop the best treatment option for you.

IMPLANT SERVICES

Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants. 

  • Sinus Lift Augmentation: Dental implants must be supported by adequate bone. The roots of upper back teeth may extend into the sinuses and, therefore, may require a surgical procedure that restores the sinuses to their original size, and replaces the bone lost when the sinuses become enlarged. This bone graft typically takes about 9-12 months to heal and before dental implants can be placed.


  • Autogenous Bone Grafting: If an implant site is lacking sufficient bone, sometimes we can borrow bone from another area of the mouth and graft into the deficient area. 


  • Implant Site Development: When an infected tooth is extracted, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the tooth due to the infection. Various types of bone grafts can be done at the time of extraction to build up the bone in preparation for an implant. After a healing period, a dental implant can be placed. 


  • Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning: Special software allows us to evaluate 3D CT scans to determine bone quality, bone quantity, and bone location. With this information we can maximize the best possible placement of your dental implants ensuring successful integration, form, and function. 


  • Implant Maintenance: Just as natural teeth, the longevity and health of your implant depends on your commitment to keeping the area clean and free of infection. Dental implants require professional cleanings to keep the implant, surrounding gums, and bone healthy. Your doctor and hygienist will determine the recommended time interval for cleanings, after evaluating several  diagnostic factors. 

SINGLE OR MULTIPLE

Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants. 



ADVANTAGES OVER BRIDGES

Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don't directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don't compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants will typically last a lifetime.



ADVANTAGES OVER BRIDGES

Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don't directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don't compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants could last a lifetime.



POST TREATMENT CARE

Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.


If you're looking for a long-lasting solution, dental implants in Kent, WA could be the answer. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can help restore your smile!


POST TREATMENT CARE

Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.



 

People are living longer than ever, and while regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can't keep up. If you've lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health.

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.


Single or Multiple Implants


Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.


Advantages over Dental Bridges


Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don't directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don't compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants will typically last a lifetime.


Post Treatment Care


Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.


Implant Services


  • Sinus Lift Augmentation: Often the sinuses will enlarge following loss of the upper back teeth. This can preclude placement of dental implants in the upper back areas of the mouth, since the sinus is an air-filled space and dental implants need to be surrounded by solid bone. A sinus lift augmentation/graft is a surgical procedure that restores the sinus cavity to its original size, and replaces the bone that has been lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes nine to 12 months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.
  • Autogenous Bone Grafting: Occasionally, the ideal areas for dental implants do not have sufficient bone quantity to support the implants. In these cases, it is often necessary to “borrow” bone from another area of your mouth and graft it into the deficient area. Often, the area of choice is from the chin or in the back of the jaw where your wisdom teeth used to be.
  • Implant Site Development: When a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the infected tooth. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.
  • Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning: We have special software on our computer that allows us to evaluate your dental CT scan in three dimensions for bone quality, bone quantity, and bone location, enabling the best possible placement of your dental implants. This also allows us to work closely and smoothly with your restorative dentist to ensure an ideal result where your dental implants are concerned.
  • Implant Maintenance: Once your dental implant restoration is completed, it is important to keep the area clean and infection-free. Dental implants can accumulate plaque and tartar just as teeth can. Whether you have just one tooth replaced by an implant or several, a professional cleaning schedule will be necessary to keep your implants healthy. The time interval for these professional cleanings will be determined by your individual needs.




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