Dental Implants Can Improve the Health of Your Smile

Beaverton restoration dentist

Dental implants offer an effective solution for replacing lost or damaged teeth. During the procedure, our Beaverton restoration dentist places a metal post into the jawbone to take the place of the missing tooth. Once the implant is in position, an artificial tooth, commonly known as a dental crown, is placed on top of the implant to restore your smile to health. Implants are ideal for replacing missing teeth as they offer the durability and functionality to last for a lifetime.

When properly cared for and maintained, implants are more effective at repairing a smile when compared to other restoration options, such as bridges and dentures. They have improved durability compared to removable prosthetics and usually offer better comfort. However, implants do take longer to place when compared to dentures and bridges, and they have a failure rate, even if small.

How Does an Implant Replace a Missing Tooth?

Our Beaverton restoration dentist may recommend implants if you have lost one or more teeth due to dental disease or decay. This will provide you with a long-term replacement for your missing teeth that blends seamlessly into the natural complexion of your smile. Implants look great, but they offer the same type of lasting strength and durability as natural teeth.

Let’s take a look at the steps involved in implant surgery:

  • Tooth removal. If you have a damaged tooth beyond repair, our Beaverton restoration dentist will need to extract it before placing an implant. Your mouth will also need time to heal before the procedure, so it may take a few weeks before the implant process begins.
  • Jaw preparation. Once your mouth has healed following the extraction, our dentist will ensure your jaw bone is healthy enough to hold an implant. If your jaw needs additional stability to hold an implant, you may need to undergo a bone graft to increase bone density and stimulate further bone growth. Your jaw will also need to heal after receiving a bone graft before the placement of an implant can begin.
  • Implant placement. The placement of a dental implant requires undergoing oral surgery. First, the dentist will open the gum tissue to reveal the jawbone beneath. Next, they will drill into the bone and insert the metal base of the implant. After that, you’ll need to wait for your body to complete the healing process before a crown can be placed on top of the implant. Your mouth must receive plenty of time to heal to ensure your body accepts the implant fully.
  • Abutment placement. Once your jawbone has entirely accepted the implant, our Beaverton restoration dentist can attach the abutment that sits above the gum line. During this process, they will open the skin of your gums to expose the impact base and attach a short metal rod. This rod will hold your replacement tooth.
  • Crown placement. A replacement tooth, often a dental crown, is placed on top of your implant to restore your smile fully. Our dentist will take an impression of your teeth to create a customized crown that will perfectly fit into the natural complexion of your smile. Once the crown is ready, our dentist will attach it to the abutment, and you can start eating, smiling, and laughing just like before.

Schedule Your Implant Consultation Today

Don’t wait any longer to restore your smile to health. Contact our office to schedule your dental implant consultation with our Beaverton restoration dentist so you can start smiling with confidence.