Dental Implants

No tool is as effective at restoring the appearance and function of natural teeth as dental implants. The Seattle Crown Hill Dental team offers several implant options for patients hoping to achieve a smile that looks and feels natural. Call their state-of-the-art office in Seattle, Washington, or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. They replace your natural roots when you have missing teeth. Dental implants bond to your jawbone and connect to replacement teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures, to restore the appearance and function of your natural teeth. 

Are there different types of dental implants?

Seattle Crown Hill Dental offers multiple types of dental implants, including:

Single implants

Single implants replace one tooth at a time. They’re ideal for patients who have lost only a few teeth. Seattle Crown Hill Dental has an onsite milling machine that creates CEREC® same-day porcelain crowns for your convenience. 

Full-arch implants

Full-arch implants are fixed devices that can replace some or all of your teeth. The appliance consists of four implants in each arch connected to a row of crowns. 

Implant-supported bridges

A bridge is a fixed device that includes crowns fused to artificial teeth. Implants allow you to replace multiple teeth with more stability than a traditional bridge.

Implant-supported removable dentures

Implant-supported dentures are removable devices that connect to dental implants. One of the most common complaints about dentures is they can shift in your mouth or fall out. Implants hold your dentures firmly in place to prevent movement.

After a full dental exam that may include digital X-rays and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, your dentist can determine which type of dental implants are right for you.

What does the dental implant process involve?

The dental implant process is lengthy, but once they fuse to your jawbone, these restorations can last for several decades. During your first visit, the Seattle Crown Hill Dental team takes X-rays and bone scans to determine whether you have enough tooth-supporting bone. If you don’t, they may recommend a bone graft.

During dental implant surgery, your dentist administers a local anesthetic and provides sedation dentistry to help you relax. They make a small incision in your gums to place the implants and suture the area at the end of your procedure.

Healing from dental implant surgery can take up to 12 weeks. During this time, your bone heals around the implants through a process called osseointegration. Once your mouth fully heals, the team takes digital impressions to create your custom-made replacement teeth, which they connect at your final visit.

Call Seattle Crown Hill Dental or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about dental implants.