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.
Dental Implant Quality in Auburn, WA
Benefits of Dental Implants
Durability
The dental implant post fuses to your jaw bone, making it a part of your smile that can last a lifetime with proper care.
Confidence
Missing teeth can damage your self-esteem, and dental implants are your ticket to a renewed confidence and a complete smile.
Preserve Jaw Bone Health
Dental implants are the only tooth restoration option that fuses with the jaw bone to prevent bone loss.
Easy Care
Simply brush and floss your implant just like a natural tooth, and it will serve you for many years.
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 Procedure in Auburn, WA
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®.
Aesthetically Driven Implant Surgery With ezPRO
Now that you’re replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, gum contouring can further maximize your results. Gum sculpting, or gingival sculpting, ensures that the gum surrounding your dental implant is as aesthetically pleasing as possible. This treatment involves placing temporary teeth and a special gum former on your dental implant. Since this is performed during implant placement, you save valuable recovery time and eliminate the need for additional appointments.
With our exclusive ezPRO process, we digitally plan your surgery ahead of time. While you heal, your surgeon can adjust the gum around the implant to match adjacent teeth. Afterward, your final crown can emerge with a more natural-looking contour. This also helps prevent food from becoming stuck between your implant and neighboring teeth.
Ask your oral surgeon about gingival sculpting during your consultation to learn about the ways that ezPRO can maximize your dental implant treatment.
Anterior Implants
Posterior Implants
Traditional Healing Abutment
ezPRO Anatomical Shaped Tissue
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Dental Implant Candidacy in Auburn, WA
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.
Types of Anesthesia
There are three main types of anesthesia that we use at our practice:
Hear From Dental Implant Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing dental implant treatment at our office.
Reviews From Our Dental Implant Patients
Sue
Dental Implant
Patient
"I came to Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons for two dental implants. The team is wonderful. They talked to me and explained everything step by step. The actual procedure to do the extractions and the implants was quick, efficient, and painless. Dr. Ben Johnson was personable, kind. I found him just really caring, and you leave with a smile afterwards. When I got these put in, no one has ever asked me “are those real?” or “are those your natural teeth?” What I get instead is “Sue, you’ve got a beautiful smile.” My experience at Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons is a definite five stars. "
Tung
Dental Implant
Patient
"When I walked in here, they explained me everything—the processing. When I have the operation, I just feel more comfortable just sleeping and when I wake up, everything is done. It went very well. My operation [healed] very quickly. I will recommend this process to all the people."
James
Dental Implant
Patient
"About 12 years ago, I had two molars on the same side of the mouth that had crowns and root canals, and they were failing, so I ended up having those two teeth extracted. So, I talked to my dentist, Dr. Sipes, about dental implants, and he referred me to Dr. Carl Johnson here. I've been a registered nurse for 20 years, and these people here in this office — and all the offices I went to — were very open and answered all of my questions. I had talked to Dr. Carl Johnson pretty extensively, and the surgery went great. My mouth is whole again. It's back to normal. It's been pretty amazing. I had a really great experience here."
Don
Dental Implant
Patient
"So, I came to see Dr. Carl, and he was great. He actually had a plan for me as to what direction we were going to go because there was a lot of work that needed to be done. I drank a lot of coke, played a lot of hockey, and I needed a lot of work. They would graft the bone, and the implants went in, and six months later, teeth are being designed, and we put those in. I could not be happier. The staff here have been just fantastic, and the first thing I got from Dr. Carl was confidence. All of a sudden, it was just like your shoulders dropped a little bit, and it was like, okay, your fears have gone. This guy knows what he's doing. Do yourself a favor. Call Dr. Carl."
Billy
Dental Implant
Patient
"When I first walked into the practice, I was very confident that the people could give me quality care. The staff here was very courteous and very informed. The doctors here were very, very professional. They were amazing, friendly, and very kind. They told me what to expect and it's exactly what happened. My procedure went quite well. It was perfect. My quality of life has improved dramatically. It feels wonderful and I'm so proud of my healthy smile. My overall experience here was great. I would give Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons five stars."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a dental implant be placed in a day?
Yes, a dental implant can be placed in a single day. In some cases, we can place an implant the same day that a tooth is extracted. We may place a temporary tooth for you to wear until you heal and your new crown is ready.
Who is not a candidate for dental implants?
If you are healthy enough to undergo general surgery, you are likely healthy enough for a dental implant. We will evaluate your oral health during the consultation and determine the right solution for your needs. You may not be a candidate if you have a suppressed immune system or habitually clench your teeth, as this can put too much pressure on an implant.
Does food get under implants?
Like any natural tooth, food and debris can get stuck under or in between dental implants. Regularly brush and floss your teeth, including your implants, to keep them clean and healthy. Be sure to attend regular dental checkups with your general dentists.
Do gums grow around implants?
Your oral surgeon will design the dental implant to fit in the empty socket in the most aesthetically pleasing way. This includes how the gums fit around the implant. Gum contouring is sometimes necessary to reshape the gums and provide a more pleasing look. Gum grafts are also available to help regrow gum tissue that has deteriorated due to tooth loss or periodontal disease.
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