A missing tooth is not only a cosmetic concern, but it can also create dental complications later in life. At Sunrise Dental in Arlington, Washington, Carl Cheung, DMD, and Chang Han, DDS, offer dental implant procedures that allow patients to replace a missing tooth with one that looks and acts just like the real thing. With a wide range of services to choose from, you can perfect your smile and ensure your dental health remains in excellent condition.
A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that is planted into your gum and holds an artificial tooth.
Dental implants can act, look, and feel like natural teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t lead to bone deterioration, and they don’t compromise your ability to eat, speak, or smile normally.
A dental implant fuses with the bone in your jaw, which allows a replacement tooth to remain stable and act as a natural tooth would.
To be a candidate for a dental implant, you must have healthy teeth and gums, with enough bone in your mouth to successfully root the implant. You should also be able to practice good oral hygiene and have regular visits with your dentist at Sunrise Dental.
If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, if you’re a smoker, or if you’ve had radiation therapy to your head or neck, you might not be a candidate for a dental implant procedure.
At Sunrise Dental, the implant procedure begins with a personalized treatment plan to address your specific goals and needs.
During the procedure, your doctor positions the implant in the bone socket underlying your missing tooth. Your jawbone will naturally grow around the implant in about 2-4 weeks.
After this fusion has occurred, an abutment ― a structure to which the new tooth will be attached ― is connected to the implant. Your dentist then connects your new tooth, which is modeled from an impression of your mouth to the abutment.
Your Sunrise Dental specialist can match the color of the new tooth to your other teeth, so it looks completely natural.
Dental implants offer many benefits over more traditional tooth-replacement options. These include:
To learn more about the dental implant procedure at Sunrise Dental, book a consultation using the online scheduling system today.