A Natural-Looking Solution for Missing Teeth
Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons provides patients with missing teeth many restoration options to choose from. Dental implants are a popular solution for a missing tooth or teeth because of their permanence and ability to preserve jaw bone health.Other tooth replacement options, such as dentures or bridges, focus on cosmetically restoring your smile, while true tooth replacements like dental implants replace the crown and root. If you are ready to explore your options for restoring one or more missing teeth, we invite you to contact our office in Maple Valley, WA.
Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth
Aside from damaging your confidence, a missing tooth also has oral health consequences when left untreated. A tooth’s root stimulates the jaw bone during chewing, keeping it strong. When a tooth is missing, the jaw bone deteriorates in that area. Jaw bone loss can result in facial sagging and can cause other teeth to shift out of position.
Even if you’ve had a tooth extracted many years ago, you may still be a candidate for dental implants. Our surgeons can place a bone graft in the socket to regrow bone where it has weakened, that way the implant will have a sturdy foundation. We can even replace an entire arch of damaged or missing teeth through Smile Complete™ full-arch restoration, a procedure which uses dental implant posts to secure a long-lasting denture.
Keeping your jaw healthy is essential for good oral health. By not protecting your bone and gums, you are at greater risk for developing periodontal disease, gum disease and other oral health issues.
Dental Implant Quality in Maple Valley, WA
Benefits of Dental Implants
Promote Good Oral Health
By fusing with the jaw bone, dental implants keep the jaw stimulated, strong, and healthy.
Easy Care
Brush and floss your dental implant regularly like a natural tooth. Dental implants are do not need to be removed during eating and cleaning, unlike removable dentures.
Permanence
With proper care, your implant can last a lifetime. Be sure to attend regular dental checkups with your general dentist and keep your implant clean, and it will serve you for many years.
Restore Confidence
The crown is designed to match your natural teeth, making your dental implant indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth. You can eat the foods you like, laugh with confidence, and avoid having to ever hide your smile.
Types of Dental Implants in Maple Valley, WA
This complete tooth restoration solution is incredibly versatile, allowing your surgeon to plan a treatment that is tailored to your exact oral health needs.
- Single Implants. Front teeth, canine teeth, and even molars—a dental implant can replace a missing tooth anywhere in the mouth.
- Implant-Supported Bridges. Dental implants can support a bridge where multiple teeth are missing next to each other. This avoids having to grind down your natural teeth in order to fit the bridge, and up to three replacement teeth can be attached to a single implant post.
- Immediate Implants. As soon as a tooth is extracted, our surgeons can place a dental implant post into the empty socket provided there is enough healthy jaw bone. This reduces the number of appointments needed to restore the tooth, saving you time and money.
- Smile Complete™ Full-Arch Restoration. Ideal for patients with many missing teeth or who wear dentures, this treatment provides you with a brand new, fully functioning, healthy smile. Only a few implant posts are needed to support a fixed denture in one or both dental arches. Your replacement teeth will stay in place and are custom-made for a comfortable fit.
- Ceramic Implants. Ceramic implants are metal-free implants and are great for patients who do not want metal in their body or who have sensitivities to titanium. Also called zirconia implants, ceramic implants often produce more esthetically pleasing results because there is no metal post that can show through the gum tissue.
- Zygomatic Implants. Zygomatic implants are inserted into the cheekbone instead of the upper jaw bone. These implants are great for patients who are otherwise not candidates for traditional implants due to a lack of adequate upper jaw. Zygomatic implants function just like traditional implants and can eliminate the need for a sinus lift.
Dental Implant Procedure in Maple Valley, WA
Dental Implant Surgery Procedure
Your oral surgeon will outline the details of your treatment plan during the consultation. This is also when you will select your form of anesthesia and our team will take 3D scans of your mouth.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue. Then, your surgeon will place the titanium implant post. If there is not enough jaw bone to support the implant, we will place a bone graft to help grow new bone. This may require an additional appointment to have the implant placed once the bone graft has healed and there is enough jaw bone. In the cases of tooth extraction, we will simply extract the tooth and immediately place the implant post.
The post will fuse with your jaw bone over the next several months, during which time your surgeon will also place a connecting abutment. Once 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®.
Gum Tissue Sculpting With ezPRO
After receiving a dental implant, gingival sculpting can maximize your aesthetic results. When a dental implant is placed, the surrounding gum does not grow back naturally around the implant the same way as a natural tooth. This treatment involves placing a custom temporary tooth and special forming piece around the implant post. Your oral surgeon can then adjust the gums while you heal to provide an aesthetically pleasing, natural look.
Our ezPRO system creates the pieces before your treatment, so it’s ready for you on the day of surgery. Gum contouring adds virtually no time to your surgery and eliminates the need for additional appointments in the future to adjust the gums. This treatment also prevents the gums from shrinking around the implant. A properly contoured gum line allows for proper cleaning and flossing, as well as prevents food from becoming impacted between the crown and your natural teeth.
Ask your oral surgeon about the benefits of gum contouring with ezPRO to maximize your dental implant results.
Dental Implant Candidacy in Maple Valley, WA
The Overall Cost & Value of Dental Implants
The cost of a dental implant depends on several factors: your dental insurance, how many implants you need, if you require bone grafts or extractions, and your choice of anesthesia. We discuss all of these with you during your first visit and go over the cost upfront so you know exactly what to expect.
Many people find removable dentures embarrassing and clunky. Like removable bridges, they only serve as cosmetic restoration options and do not protect the jaw bone. These options must be replaced every few years and can lead to a much more costly and complex procedure down the line to treat severe bone deterioration. Additionally, it can be cumbersome to remove your teeth during eating and brushing on a daily basis.
Dental implants are a secure solution with a 98% success rate. They remain in your mouth at all times and are the only tooth restoration solution that prevents bone deterioration by stimulating the jaw bone. Our team of surgeons looks forward to improving your oral health and confidence with this remarkable solution for missing teeth.
Denture Replacement With Dental Implants
Dental implants are an ideal replacement for traditional dentures because they are long-lasting, stable, and function like natural teeth. Patients who wear dentures must replace them every few years, and ill-fitting dentures can cause oral sores. It can also feel embarrassing to remove your teeth when eating around others. Dental implants eliminate these inconveniences, so you can smile and laugh with confidence.
Several implant posts can secure a fixed denture in one or both arches through full-arch restoration, ideal for patients with full dentures. If you wear partial dentures, an implant-supported bridge or individual implants can restore your teeth and eliminate the need for dentures. Contact our office today to learn more about denture replacement in Maple Valley, WA.
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
"I had a little pain in one of my upper molars on my left side, so he recommended that I probably just have it removed and get the implant done now. And then they explained the entire process to me of how I'd have the extraction done and then the sinus lift, the implant in place, and then a cap on the abutment that goes into the implant. It went well, and I did it late one day, and I was back at work the next day, so no complaints. There never really was any real pain—a very slight discomfort. Everything for me was pretty much back to normal within 24 hours. I'd highly recommend the clinic here. The Dr. Johnson that assisted me was Dr. Ben Johnson; I don't know that a doctor could have done anything any better than the way Ben did."
"I had just bought a house, and there was a box in the bathroom, and I got up in the middle of the night. I speculate that I fell asleep on the way, hit the box, my chin hit the floor, then my teeth did. I went to the ER that night, and they cemented it all in place and got me in contact with Dr. Johnson's office. He got me in for an emergency procedure the following afternoon. The surgery was definitely a success. It's leaps and bounds ahead of where I thought it would be when the process was all said and done. The staff was great – really easy to work with. Dr. Ben Johnson was a great surgeon. I remember him telling jokes – he's funny. He's a younger guy, personable, easy to talk to, so yeah, I enjoyed having him as my surgeon a lot. I had an excellent experience here."
"I got implants and extractions from Dr. Edwards at the Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons. Dr. Edwards, Dr. Carl Johnson, Dr. Ben Johnson — they all have great bedside manner, so I just feel so comfortable when I’m here, and they really make me feel confident. All the procedures that I’ve had at the Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons have gone really well. My recovery after my extractions and dental implants have been wonderful. I had a great experience here, and I would recommend anyone who lives in Kent to experience Pacific Northwest Oral Surgeons. "
"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. "
"Hello, I am Heather. I actually live right in Covington, which is right up the road from Maple Valley. I was seen here for an extraction and a dental implant. When I first walked into this office, I felt very comfortable. The staff here, they're super friendly. The surgeons here at Pacific Northwest, they're all very sweet, very nice. They're very good at treating patients like family. Both of my procedures, each one, went super well. My overall experience was great. I recommend it to family, friends. They have options for everybody here to help you with anything that you're going through."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a dental implant?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, such as Dr. Ben, Dr. Sohaib, Dr. Moon, and Dr. Huang are dental specialists who are extensively trained in restorative procedures and placing implants. We closely evaluate your condition to help you select the right form of treatment that will benefit your smile, confidence, and oral health. It is our duty as dental professionals to educate you about your treatment options in a transparent and honest way, and we always have the interest and health of our patients at the forefront of our minds.
Does food get under implants?
Just like a natural tooth, food can get stuck under a dental implant. Brush and floss regularly to keep your replacement teeth and natural teeth clean and clear of debris.
Can you eat steak with dental implants?
Once fully healed, your dental implant is strong and sturdy enough for you to enjoy all of your favorite foods. You can bite into hard or crunchy foods, enjoy sticky gum, and not have to worry about removable oral appliances or discomfort. Be sure to follow the post-operative instructions for foods to avoid during your recovery period so that the implant fully heals.
Do gums grow around dental implants?
Similar to bone, gums don’t quite grow back into position once they have deteriorated due to tooth loss. However, a gum graft can be placed in the same way as a bone graft. This procedure contours the gum around the implant to result in a natural-looking shape and appearance of the gums.
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