Dental Implants in Federal Way, WA

At Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Federal Way, WA, our oral surgeons are experts in dental implant placement. They are an ideal solution for tooth loss because they replace missing teeth with natural-looking and fully functional replacements.

More traditional tooth replacement solutions, such as bridges and dentures, last only for several years, and they are more focused on cosmetic results. In contrast, dental implants restore your smile and your ability to eat and chew normally. They also preserve the health of your jaw bone and prevent dental shifting.

Why Should You Replace a Missing Tooth?

Missing teeth damage more than your self-esteem. Leaving a missing tooth untreated can cause the jaw bone to deteriorate in that area because it does not receive stimulation during chewing. Bone atrophy leads to facial sagging and teeth shifting out of place.

Our surgeons can place bone grafts if the jaw bone has weakened and needs help supporting the implant. Bone grafts help stimulate the production of new bone in a particular area and can restore integrity to the jaw, as well as provide a sturdy foundation for dental implants.

Types of Dental Implants in Federal Way, WA

There are several types of tooth restoration options available, and our skilled surgeons will help select the option that’s right for you.

• Single Dental Implants. One dental implant can replace a missing tooth anywhere in the mouth. This includes front teeth, canine teeth, and even molars.
• Implant-Supported Bridges. Instead of using your natural teeth to support a bridge, we can use dental implants to support a bridge if multiple teeth are missing next to each other. This avoids having to grind down your healthy teeth so that the bridge fits correctly. One implant post can typically hold up to three crowns.
• Immediate Implants. As soon as we extract a tooth, we can place an implant post with a same-day dental implant as long as there is enough healthy jaw bone to support it. This reduces the number of appointments needed to replace the tooth, saving you time and money.
• Smile Complete^™ Full-Arch Restoration. Patients missing many or all of their teeth may be candidates for a fixed denture that is secured using dental implants. Available in one or both dental arches, this option provides you with a completely new and fully functioning smile. Your replacement teeth will stay in place and are custom-made just for you.
• Ceramic Implants. Ceramic implants, or zirconia implants, do not contain any metal, making them ideal for patients with titanium sensitivities. Instead, these implants are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material and often provide more esthetically pleasing results because there is no metal post that shows through the gum tissue.
• Zygomatic Implants. Zygomatic implants are the ideal solution for patients who lack sufficient jaw bone in the upper jaw. These implants are inserted into the zygomatic bone, or cheekbone, and help patients qualify for implant placement. Placing zygomatic implants may also eliminate the need for a sinus lift.

Dental Implant Surgery

First, you will meet with one of our oral surgeons during a consultation visit. Your surgeon will evaluate your mouth, take 3D scans, discuss anesthesia options, and create a treatment plan custom to your smile.

On the day of surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue and place the titanium implant post. If you are having a tooth extracted, we can place the implant immediately following extraction, provided you have enough jaw bone to support it. We may place a bone graft and allow time for it to heal before we place the implant.

Over the next few months, the post will fuse with your jaw bone. During healing, your surgeon will place a connecting abutment and when you have fully healed, your restorative dentist will place the final crown.

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

Dental Implants: Cost and Value

The cost of your dental implant surgery will depend on how many implants you need, if you require bone grafts or extractions, your choice of anesthesia, and your dental insurance. We will discuss all of these with you during your first visit.

Removable dentures and traditional bridges may be cheaper up front, but do not prevent bone loss or keep the jaw healthy. They must be replaced every few years, and the price for a more extensive surgery down the line to repair severe bone loss can be very costly. The success rate of a dental implant is 98%, and maintaining a healthy jaw will promote healthy gums and prevent oral health issues, like periodontal disease.

With dental implants, you enjoy the benefits of having a complete smile and the peace of mind in knowing that your oral health is protected for years to come.

Denture Replacement With Dental Implants

Patients who wear dentures often look for a more convenient solution and turn to dental implants. Dentures can be cumbersome and it can feel embarrassing to take out your teeth when eating or brushing. You must replace dentures every few years and have them professionally fitted, otherwise they could slip around and cause sores.

Dental implants eliminate these inconveniences by providing stable, long-term tooth replacement. You can receive a new arch of teeth through full-arch restoration, completely replacing a fixed denture. Multiple implants or implant-supported bridges can replace a partial denture, restoring your oral health and confidence. Learn more about denture replacement in Federal Way, WA, by contacting our office today.