Dental Implants in Auburn, WA

Replace Missing, Damaged, or Decayed Teeth

Dental implants have become the most appealing option for replacing one or more missing or failing teeth in Auburn, WA. You’ll find that your new replacement teeth look and feel just like natural teeth, allowing you to smile and eat with ease and confidence. They can also improve your overall oral health by preventing bone loss and protecting your remaining teeth from further damage. If you are missing one or more teeth and want a restorative solution, dental implants could be the right choice for you.

Our oral surgeons have years of experience with this restoration option and developing treatment plans to address a wide variety of oral health conditions. Whether you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Auburn, Federal Way, Renton, Maple Valley, or Puyallup with Dr. Ben Johnson, Dr. Sohaib Soliman, Dr. Hwi Sean Moon, Dr. Kevin Huang, and Dr. Michael Baily.

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Is it Necessary to Replace a Missing Tooth?

Leaving a missing tooth untreated can lead to bone loss in that area of the jaw. Tooth roots stimulate the jaw bone, and without a tooth in place, there is nothing to stimulate the bone. If you’ve been missing a tooth for many years, nearby teeth may have shifted into the empty spot and you may have noticed facial sagging as a result of a weakened jaw bone.

If you’re missing many or all of your teeth, we can extract the ones remaining and place a denture that is supported by dental implants. This option helps preserve your jaw bone and provides you with a fully functioning and complete smile.

Types of Dental Implants in Auburn, WA

There are many tooth restoration options that your surgeon will explore with you during the consultation. These options include:

• Single Tooth Implants. One dental implant can be placed in any area of the mouth where a tooth is missing, whether you are looking to restore a front tooth, canine tooth, or molar.
• Implant-Supported Bridge. Traditional bridges require nearby teeth to be shaved down to support the bridge. An implant-supported bridge protects your natural teeth while benefiting your jaw bone health. One implant post can hold up to 3 crowns, giving you the ability to restore several teeth that are missing next to each other.
• Immediate Implants. Our surgeons can place a dental implant post the same day as a tooth extraction, as long as you have adequate jaw bone. Same-day dental implants reduce the total number of procedures needed, which saves you time and money.
• Smile Complete^™ Full-Arch Restoration. If you are missing most or all of your teeth, we can provide you with a brand new, fully functioning smile. With this treatment, we extract the remaining teeth and insert as few as four dental implants. Then, we attach a fixed, natural-looking denture that restores your oral health and confidence!
• Ceramic Implants. Ceramic dental implants, or zirconia implants, are made of a tooth-colored material and are great for patients with titanium allergies or for those who do not want any metals in their body. Ceramic implants are only made of one piece and provide esthetically pleasing results because there is no metal post to show through the gum tissue.
• Zygomatic Implants. Some patients lack sufficient jaw bone mass in the upper jaw and cannot receive traditional implants. Zygomatic implants help more patients qualify for implant-based treatment because these implants are inserted into the zygomatic bone, or cheekbone. Placing zygomatic implants may also eliminate the need for a sinus lift.

Dental Implant Surgery Procedure

During your first visit you will meet with one of our expert oral surgeons, who will evaluate your needs and determine if dental implants are the right solution. We will discuss anesthesia options and take 3D scans of your face and mouth.

Many patients are able to comfortably undergo this procedure with local anesthesia, although we also offer general anesthesia and nitrous oxide as options. During the procedure, your surgeon will extract the tooth, if necessary, and place the dental implant post into the empty socket. We will also place a bone graft if the jaw bone has deteriorated and there is not enough healthy bone to support the implant.

Over the next few months, the post will fuse with your jaw bone. Once fully healed, we will place a connecting abutment and your restorative dentist will place the final, custom-made crown. This crown is designed to match your natural teeth in shape, size, and color.

Our practice offers a non-opioid option for pain relief after surgery. Ask your doctor about EXPAREL^®.

The Cost and Value of Replacing Missing Teeth

Dental implants are so popular because they look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth. They have a 98% success rate and are a long-term solution for tooth loss. The cost of a dental implant depends on how many you need, if you require extraction or bone grafts, your choice of anesthesia, and your dental insurance. We will discuss all of this during your first visit.

Traditional dentures cost less upfront, but they must be replaced every 5 years and do not prevent jaw bone deterioration. Many patients find it embarrassing to remove dentures during eating and cleaning, and removable dentures often cause sores. Once a dental implant is placed, it is there to stay.

Denture Replacement With Dental Implants

Patients who wear dentures typically find them to be uncomfortable. They may suffer from limited taste, ongoing bad breath, and feel self-conscious around others due to improperly fitted dentures or having to remove the teeth when eating. Dental implants serve as an ideal solution for dentures and eliminate these issues.

Dental implants can fully replace dentures by using several implant posts to secure a fixed denture. This is called full-arch restoration and the results are a brand new, healthy, functioning smile. Traditional dentures rest on the bony ridge in the mouth and do not prevent bone loss, whereas implants fuse to the jaw bone, keeping it strong and preventing jaw bone atrophy. Contact us today to learn more about denture replacement in Auburn, WA, and how dental implants can become your long-lasting alternative to traditional dentures.