Get your smile back with a solution that you can truly depend on!
Dental implants truly replicate the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Missing teeth can cause a number of problems, including difficulty with eating and speaking and an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay—not to mention the negative impact on your self-confidence. In addition, the prospect of wearing dentures or undergoing numerous bridge procedures can be daunting. Fortunately, thanks to years of research and advances in dental technology, there is now a much more effective and permanent solution for people missing teeth: dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone, where they serve as a sturdy foundation for artificial teeth. The entire appliance consists of the following components:
- Titanium post: The titanium post is surgically implanted into the jawbone.
- Abutment: The abutment is a small connector piece that is used to join the implant to the artificial tooth.
- Artificial tooth: The artificial tooth is custom-made to look like your natural teeth and is attached to the abutment.
Unlike dentures and bridges, which may feel unnatural or cause discomfort, implants are securely anchored in place and feel just like natural teeth. Plus, they can last a lifetime with proper care.
What is Implant Restoration?
At the office of Jonathan S. Judd, DDS, PS, our Spokane, WA team is well-equipped to restore implants following placement surgery or replace your damaged restorations. Implant restoration is the process of attaching the prosthetic component to an implant that has been surgically inserted into the jawbone.
While our team only performs restoration for implants, we may be able to refer you to a trusted specialist for placement surgery. Below, we invite you to explore the full implant process in further detail—including what to expect before, during, and after implant placement.
Dental Implant Process
To begin the journey of receiving a dental implant, you may first need to schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon. They will be able to assess your candidacy for the procedure and ensure that you are in good enough health to undergo surgery.
- Once you are ready for surgery, a date will be set and you will be given specific instructions to prepare for the big day.
- On the day of surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the gums to expose the bone. A hole will then be drilled into the bone before the titanium post can be inserted.
- Next, the surgeon may place a healing abutment to keep the area clean and hold the gums in place as they heal around the post.
- The gums will be stitched up and allowed to heal for several months as the bone bonds with the titanium post.
Once the gums have healed, this is where our team comes in.
- To restore the implant, we must first take an impression of your mouth so that we can create a custom-fit prosthetic.
- Once we have taken your digital impression, we will begin the fabrication of your prosthetic; the artificial tooth will be made to match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth.
- When your restoration is complete, we will attach it to your abutment.
- As easy as that, your smile will be fully restored!
Of course, it is important to take care of your new implant just as you would with natural teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly and attending regular checkups will help to ensure that your implant lasts for a lifetime!