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Dental implants

Smile with confidence!

Missing teeth? Dental implants help to create replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your own teeth. Dental implants can also significantly enhance the function of your teeth and the appearance of your smile. Patients who have lost teeth, can regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that the teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.

What are implants?

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal posts serve as substitutes for the roots of the missing tooth. As you heal, the bone grows around the titanium and becomes integrated, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Implants help prevent the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are lost. Implants can also be used to anchor removable prosthetics such as dentures and partials.

Who is a candidate for implants?

In general, anyone missing at least one tooth and healthy enough to undergo routine dental treatment, including tooth extraction, is probably a good candidate for a dental implant. There are some medical conditions that warrant special consideration before placing implants and patients should be free of periodontal disease. Implants are not recommended for:

• smokers
• people who have autoimmune diseases or take medicines used for these conditions
• people who have had radiation therapy to the head and neck
• people with uncontrolled diabetes

Implant patients need healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If your bone is too thin or soft and unable to support an implant, you may require a bone graft. Or if there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses are too close to the jaw, you may require a sinus lift.

What is the dental implant placement process?

PHASE I

• Planning: Planning is a vital part of the process. We will require specialized imaging to see the architecture of the bone in three dimensions. These images are used to virtually place the implant and create a custom surgical guide for the patient.
• Implant placement and healing: Patients may be given antibiotics and pain medicine to take before the surgery. Our office offers local anesthesia and sedation during the procedure. Using precise, surgical techniques, the implants are placed into the jawbone. After the implant is placed, healing generally takes three to four months while osseointegration (integration to bone) takes place.
• Temporary restoration: If the dental implant is in the front of the patient’s mouth , a temporary restoration will be placed for aesthetic purposes while the site heals.

PHASE II

• Abutment and crown placement: When healing is complete and osseointegration has occurred, small posts called abutments are attached to the titanium implant(s). The abutments provide anchors for the crown(s) which have been specially designed and fabricated to fit each patient’s aesthetic and functional needs.

New implants can serve patients for a lifetime provided that they are well cared for. This means prioritizing good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular dental checkups and cleanings with our SE Portland Dentist.