Dental Implants Tumwater, WA
Nothing boosts your confidence quite like having a complete, bright smile. Thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, you can experience this even if you’ve suffered from severe tooth decay or premature tooth loss. Our caring professionals at Deschutes River Dentistry are here to help you achieve a beautiful, brand-new smile through dental implants.
Dental implants are natural-looking dental restorations that can replace a single tooth or an entire set of teeth. Regardless of your current oral health situation, dental implants can become a reality for you. They’ll provide you with an improved quality of life and give you an immediate confidence boost. You’ll also find that dental implants enhance your ability to speak clearly and allow you to enjoy all of your favorite foods again.
How Are Dental Implants Installed?
The dental implant process involves several carefully planned steps. It will begin with a consultation appointment with our experienced team. Once we confirm that you’re a good candidate for dental implants, we’ll conduct advanced imaging scans of your mouth and use this detailed information to create your custom implants.
When you return for the placement procedure, our team will ensure you’re completely comfortable with sedation. We’ll then carefully install titanium posts directly into your jawbone. Each post is specially threaded and designed to securely hold a crown or group of crowns that will function as your new teeth.
In some cases, we can attach your tooth implants to the posts during that same visit. However, other patients may need temporary teeth placed on the posts while their mouth heals properly. If this applies to you, you’ll return a few weeks to a few months later, once your mouth has fully healed, to receive your final set of teeth.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Dental Implants?
The timeline from your initial appointment to the final installation of your dental implants can take up to one year, though in some cases it may take slightly longer. However, most patients receive their final implants within just a few months after their consultation. This variation in timing depends on whether you need preparatory procedures, such as a bone graft.
A bone graft is a procedure where we attach bone fragments to your existing jawbone. This becomes necessary if your jawbone isn’t quite dense enough to properly support the implants. While the bone graft procedure itself is relatively brief and typically lasts less than one hour, it can take several months or even up to a year for the fragments to completely fuse with your jawbone.
Are Dental Implants Durable?
Dental implants are among the most durable tooth replacement options available today. The titanium posts we use for your implants are designed to last a lifetime and will never need replacement. The crowns attached to these posts will serve you well for at least 10 years. With proper care and regular maintenance, they can last much longer. Many patients enjoy their implants for nearly 20 years or more.
Dental implants truly are an exceptional restoration option that offers unmatched function and appearance. If you’d like to learn more about this life-changing opportunity, we invite you to visit our knowledgeable professionals at Deschutes River Dentistry. You can schedule your consultation by calling our friendly team at (360) 786-9354 today.