Dental Implant Procedure - How Can It Give You a Beautiful Smile
Your dental implant procedure at Mercer Island Dental is the best way to restore your confident smile. Our oral surgeon will expertly fit a small titanium post into your jawbone to complete your smile. This post acts like artificial tooth roots in implant dentistry.
Over time, the bone grows around your implant, securing the implant firmly in place. Our dental experts ensure that your implant is strong and stable, similar to your natural teeth.
Our esteemed dentists, Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam of Mercer Island Dental, guide you through each procedure step, ensuring you are comfortable and well-informed about How dental implants work.
So What Are You Waiting For? Schedule Your Free Implant Dentistry Consultation Now at Mercer Island Dental to Learn About How Dental Implants Work.
Call Us At 206-232-3600 for All the Details on Your Dental Implant Procedure.
Why Get a Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants work the best because they are placed into your jawbone to act like the roots of missing teeth. Implant dentistry fuses with your jawbone so they won't slip, make noise, or hurt your bone as fixed bridges or removable dentures might.
At Mercer Island Dental, our esteemed dentists, Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam, help you understand how dental implants work and why dental implant procedures are a great option to regain your confident smile.
Potential Risks of Implant Dentistry
Like any other surgery, dental implant procedures have some health risks. However, issues are rare. If they happen, they are usually small and easy to treat by our implant dentistry specialists.
Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam at Mercer Island Dental will ensure you understand these risks and dental benefits so you feel secure about your dental health choices.
Book Your Free Implant Dentistry Consultation Now With Our Esteemed Dentists to Clear Your Mind on All of These Issues Blocking the Way of Your Amazing New Smile.
Call Us At 206-232-3600 for All the Details on How Dental Implants Work.
How to Get Ready for Implant Dentistry
Getting ready for your dental implant procedure involves a detailed plan and the help of several specialists. At Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam will ensure your dental implant procedure goes smoothly.
Here’s a general overview of what to expect during your implant dentistry at Mercer Island Dental:
- A comprehensive dental exam to check for bone loss.
- Dental X-rays including a CBCT or CT scan showing detailed 3 dimensional study of your jaw bone.
- 3D images including IOS (intraoral scan)
- 3D printed models made of your teeth and jaw acquired from 3D images from IOS (intraoral scan)
Medical History Review: Implant dentistry works best when our dentists know your medical history to avoid complications. It is very beneficial to share your medical conditions and the medications you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements.
Treatment Plan: Your dental plan is tailored to the number of teeth you need to replace and the condition of your jawbone for your smile restoration. For your dental implant implant procedure, you’ll discuss pain control options like local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia.
Depending on the type of anesthesia, your dental team, led by Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam, will guide you on how to prepare for your procedure. If sedation or general anesthesia is used, you’ll need someone to drive you home and plan to rest for the rest of the day.
What to Expect During Your Dental Implant Procedure
Getting implant dentistry at Mercer Island Dental with Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam usually happens in stages and involves several steps. This lets your mouth heal between each part of the process. Here's what you can expect with your dental implant procedure:
Removing the Damaged Tooth: If a damaged tooth affects your smile aesthetics, our expert staff will remove it painlessly.
Preparing Your Jawbone (If Needed): Sometimes, your jawbone must be strengthened to increase the volume through bone grafting for a dental implant to work the best. Sometimes there is not enough volume of bone available to support a dental implant.
The Dental Implant Placement: A small titanium post will be placed into your jawbone for your implant dentistry.
The Healing and Bone Growth Phase: Your jawbone will grow around your implant to hold it firmly in place.
Placing Your Abutment: This small connector will hold your new artificial tooth.
Fitting Your New Tooth: An artificial tooth is placed on your abutment.
The entire dental implant procedure can take several months because there are healing periods (waiting periods) between each step to allow your jawbone to grow and secure your implant well. Depending on your needs, sometimes some steps can be done together, speeding up your process.
Don't worry. Our esteemed dental team will guide you all through the implant dentistry process and determine whether your dental insurance covers part of your cost.
Book Your Free Dental Implant Procedure Consultation Session.
Call us at 206-232-3600 or click below.
When Do I Need Bone Grafting for Your Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants work best when your jawbone is healthy. If your jawbone isn't strong or thick enough, our esteemed dentists might suggest bone grafting before your implant dentistry to restore your smile.
A bone graft with implant surgery helps create a solid base for your dental implant procedure. Different materials are used for bone grafting, such as natural bone from another part of your body or synthetic bone substitutes that help new bone grow.
In some instances, minor bone grafting can be done at the same time as your implant surgery. Our dental experts will review your procedure before your treatment begins. Plus, they will help you understand how dental implants work the best and whether your dental insurance covers them.
Jawbone Placement in Implant Dentistry
Alt Text: A Crown Being Placed on top of Implant Dentistry
During surgery at Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Shiotsu will make a small, precise incision in your gum to uncover your bone beneath. They will then carefully drill a hole into your bone, which will serve as the insertion point for the metal implant post.
This post functions like a tooth root and is securely placed deep into your bone to provide a stable foundation for your artificial tooth.
The Mercer Island Dental team ensures you are comfortable and informed throughout your procedure, aiming for smooth and successful implant dentistry. Plus, if you have an active dental insurance plan, you can discuss it with our dental staff.
Waiting for Bone Growth With Your Dental Implant Procedure
After your implant post is placed in your jawbone at Mercer Island Dental, a crucial healing process called osseointegration (oss-ee-oh-in-tuh-GRAY-shun) begins.
Simply put, this is when your jawbone grows and fuses with your implant, creating a solid and sturdy base for your new artificial tooth, much like the roots of your natural teeth.
This process can take several months, but it's essential for ensuring the stability and success of your implant dentistry. Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam will monitor your progress to ensure everything goes well during your dental implant procedure.
If You Want To Know How Implant Dentistry Can Improve the Aesthetics of Your Smile and Overall Dental Hygiene, Feel Free to Schedule Your Free Implant Dentistry Consultation With Our Specialists at Mercer Island Dental.
Call Us at 206-232-3600 to Learn How Dental Implants Work and Whether Your Dental Insurance Covers the Cost of Your Implant Dentistry.
Placing the Abutment With Your Dental Implant Procedure
Once your jawbone has fused with your implant, it's time to place your abutment, where your new tooth will eventually attach. This quick implant dentistry procedure is usually done with local anesthesia.
Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam at Mercer Island Dental will attach your abutment to your implant and close it around the abutment, leaving it visible above the gum line.
Sometimes, the abutment is placed simultaneously with the dental implant, skipping the extra surgical procedure step. After this, your gums will need about two weeks to heal before adding the artificial replacement tooth.
Get Your Confident Smile Back With Implant Dentistry at Mercer Island Dental
Whether you need a single tooth or multiple teeth replaced, a dental implant procedure at Mercer Island Dental is a great way to go. Usually, dental implants work well with everyone, but in some instances, a patient may need additional procedures for the stability and effectiveness of this process.
We're committed to providing excellent care and ensuring you feel comfortable throughout your treatment. Reach out today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving a healthy, beautiful smile.
If you have any questions or want to schedule Your FREE dental implant procedure consultation, don't hesitate to call us at 206-232-3600. At Mercer Island Dental, Dr. Shiotsu and Dr. Tam are here to help with all your dental needs.
