Dental Implants to Repair Damaged Teeth

How Does A Dental Implant Work?

Dental implants are titanium posts that function like tooth roots, with a new tooth or bridge attached to fill gaps or replace damaged teeth. The implants are surgically placed directly into your jawbone beneath the gum line. This ensures the implant is securely attached to a stable foundation, preventing any movement or loosening. In contrast, dental bridges may negatively impact neighboring teeth due to their anchoring mechanism. By choosing dental implants, we avoid the need to grind down adjacent teeth, ensuring the new tooth or teeth remain in their proper position without compromising the surrounding teeth.

Are Dental Implants My Best Choice?

To determine whether dental implants are right for you, we first examine your gums and jawbone to ensure they are healthy and strong enough to support a titanium post. We do this by assessing the area in your mouth and using CBCT imaging to see the jawbone and surrounding structures. If the bone is too soft or thin, we can often address this with a bone graft procedure to strengthen or augment your jawbone.

For upper implants we assess the location of your sinuses and the bone height. If either poses a problem, a sinus lift procedure can resolve it. Once we confirm that your gums are healthy and your jawbone is strong, we can proceed with placing the dental implants you need to fill the gaps between your teeth.

Overall health is an important part of dental implant success. Patients who have diabetes or bone disease are at higher risk for complications. Smoking is also a big risk factor for implant failure. Our doctors will discuss your health history with you to guide you in your decision.

What Does Dental Implant Surgery Look Like?

While the idea of placing a titanium post in your mouth may sound intimidating, the surgical procedure for dental implants is often quick and painless. If your bone and gum tissue are in excellent condition, the treatment may take as little as 30 minutes to complete. During your appointment, the first step will be to prepare the bone in the target area to make space for the implant. Since the opening is typically very small, stitches may not be necessary. Thanks to the simplicity of the procedure, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are usually sufficient to manage any discomfort afterward.

If you’re considering dental implants and would like to learn more, feel free to contact the Walker & Krause Dental Team in Olympia today.