Have You Lost Teeth? Secure Your Smile with an Experienced Dental Implant Dentist
Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for patients missing one or multiple teeth. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported your tooth, you’ll enjoy optimal stability and functionality. Stein Family Dentistry offers high-quality dental implants in Spokane, Washington, and the surrounding locations. The confidence and stability you develop with dental implants will leave you pleasantly amazed.
Dental implants are titanium roots, that are replaced with in the jawbone to resemble a tooth or group of teeth. A screw is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prosthesis including crowns, dentures, and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking, no one will know you had surgery. There’s approximately a 95% success rate for all implants. With modern advances in dentistry, some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.
How are dental implants placed?
While the dental implant treatment takes months, many patients find the procedure easier than anticipated. Dr. Andy Stein has placed numerous implants over the years and has refined the process to be seamless and worry-free.
Here’s what to expect from your dental implant treatment.
- Consultation: We’ll listen to your concerns and expectations before examining your oral health to determine your suitability for implantology. Dr. Stein uses the latest technologies to maximize your treatment outcomes. Digital radiographs, 3D scans, photographs, and case guides help our doctor create a custom road map to restoring your smile.
- Pre-surgery procedures: Your dental implant treatment isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, you need supplementary procedures to prepare your bone for surgery. For instance, if you have bone loss, bone grafting will be required to stabilize your jawbone to support an implant.
- Implant surgery: Our approach to dentistry isn’t all about results. Your comfort matters. Before your implant surgery, our doctor uses powerful anesthetics to ensure you don’t feel pain during treatment. You can also talk to our doctor about sedation dentistry if you are anxious about your treatment.
- Healing: Once you are at complete ease, the dentist will surgically place a titanium post at a precise location in the jawbone. This titanium fixture is biocompatible. Between 4-6 months, it bonds with the jawbone to form an unbreakable foundation to support one or more prosthetic teeth.
- Abutment placement: After healing, the dentist will attach an abutment to your implant. This small metal connector juts out of the gum line to connect the titanium fixture to the final restoration.
- Implant restoration: Our office delivers the best result when completing the final stage. Our team will take digital scans of your tooth to design and create a customized crown or denture that looks and functions like natural teeth.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
When you replace your missing or failing teeth with dental implants, you’ll:
- Smile and speak confidently everywhere you go
- Have stability when eating or speaking
- Enjoy a natural feel and look
- Preserve your jawbone’s height and volume
- Experience time-tested technology with over 95% success rate
- Enjoy durable outcomes
- Experience improved oral health
- Have the versatility to replace one or multiple teeth
How long should I expect my dental implants to last?
Dental implants are a durable solution for tooth replacement. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. However, while the implant can endure for decades, the prosthetic tooth (or crown) attached to it has a more limited lifespan, typically lasting between 8 and 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Can dental implants replace multiple missing teeth?
Yes. Dental implants are not just for single teeth. They can replace several teeth or even an entire arch of missing teeth! And the best news? You don’t need an implant for every tooth lost. Your dentist uses a few implants to support a bridge or a full denture. This approach enhances chewing strength and ensures your restoration remains secure and comfortable.
Is placing dental implants painful?
No. We use powerful anesthetics to numb the treatment area. You may feel pressure, but not sharp pain. Need more comfort? Discuss sedation dentistry with our team.
After the procedure, you may experience mild soreness, pain, and swelling. We’ll help you manage the discomfort with over-the-counter medication and home remedies. Most patients say the experience was easier than expected.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Dental implants are an excellent solution for patients with good oral health. That means you shouldn’t have active gum disease or cavities. Potential candidates should also have enough jawbone and good overall health (no uncontrolled medical conditions). Age matters, too. Dental implants typically offer excellent outcomes when the bone has fully matured, which usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 21. A consultation that includes an exam, X-rays, or 3D imaging will help confirm eligibility.
Does smoking affect my eligibility for implants?
Yes, but it doesn’t rule you out completely. Tobacco has chemicals that slow healing and increase the risk of infection, which can lead to implant failure. If you are a smoker, you may still qualify, but we will recommend quitting before and after surgery.
Can dental implants stop bone loss?
Yes. Dental implants don’t just replace the crown part of your tooth. They include a titanium post that acts like an artificial root. Your implant stimulates the jawbone when you chew. This prevents the bone from shrinking. Without stimulation, the jawbone weakens (resorbs) over time, resulting in an aged appearance. Dental implants are the only tooth replacements that can stop bone loss.
What is the typical cost of dental implants in Spokane, WA?
Pricing varies. Your treatment cost depends on the number of teeth involved, the type of imaging used, and the type of restoration required. The need for adjunctive procedures, such as bone grafting and periodontal care, may also impact the cost. Due to the numerous variables, we cannot provide an accurate estimate of the cost upfront. Booking a consultation is the only way to get exact pricing for your implant treatment.
Are dental implants better than bridges and dentures?
Yes! Dental bridges and dentures are incredible restorations, but dental implants are a cut above. Implants offer unique benefits, including jawbone preservation, unrivaled stability, and long-term durability. Dental implants also stabilize nearby teeth and feel like natural teeth.
What is the success rate of dental implants, and what are the chances of failure?
Dental implants have a very high success rate, often over 95% for healthy patients. However, failure can still happen. Common causes of failure include smoking, poor placement, infection (implantitis), uncontrolled medical issues, or poor oral hygiene. We’ll be with you every step of the way to help reduce the risk of failure.
Does my local dentist in Spokane, WA, offer dental implants?
Yes! Stein Family Dentistry offers more than dental implants—we provide comprehensive care that exceeds your expectations. Dr. Andy Stein and his team combine clinical care and onsite CBCT and milling capabilities to achieve superior results in the time you expect. Call (509) 463-1770 and schedule your consultation today.
Are you interested in dental implants?
Do you need dental crowns in Spokane, WA? Whether you have lost one or multiple teeth, there's a solution for you. From the replacement of one tooth to full mouth restoration, it doesn't matter how many teeth you have lost. Call (509) 463-1770 to schedule an appointment with Stein Family Dentistry.
