Dental Implants in Tacoma

Dental implant placement refers to the process of surgically placing the implant post into the bone of the jaw. An implant restoration is the final step of the implant process, in which a dental prosthetic, often a dental crown, is attached to the implant post.

Implants are life-long tooth replacements. This makes them a unique treatment in restorative dentistry because other restorations only last for a fraction of their lifespan. Implants will last for at least 25 years but with proper care and oral hygiene, they last for much longer than that.

The materials that implants are made of are biocompatible titanium, which is durable and strong but also easily accepted by the body. This means that implants restore the root of a tooth and are held stable in the jawbone so that they never shift and this lasts for life.

You will never need to have them replaced. The only thing that needs to be replaced is the restoration that is attached, whether this is a crown, bridge, or denture.

The first time modern dental implants were ever placed in a patient, they lasted until the patient died, which was 40 years. Restorations, however, have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, and you will need to protect them from sources of wear and tear.

Yes, infected dental implants are known as peri-implantitis. You are at an increased risk for developing this infection if you smoke, have a history of gum disease, don’t follow aftercare instructions following implant placement, or don’t practice good oral hygiene.

Peri-implantitis can occur during the implant healing process or years after placement. Signs of peri-implantitis include gum inflammation, bone loss, a loose or moving implant, a bad taste in your mouth, pain, difficulty chewing, pus, and bleeding that lasts for more than a few days.

This is a very serious condition that can go undetected because oftentimes patients don’t feel any pain. Peri-implantitis can result in implant failure. This is why it is so important to follow aftercare directions and to regularly brush and floss your teeth every day.

Just because we have replaced a tooth with an implant doesn’t mean you are immune to oral health problems. You still need to care for the implant site just like you would a natural tooth.

Yes, dental implants effectively prevent bone loss that occurs as a result of tooth loss by restoring the tooth root with a dental implant. When the implant is embedded in the jawbone, it becomes integrated with the jawbone over 3 to 6 months and they fuse.

This forms an artificial tooth root that prevents the implant from moving, but more importantly, enables stimulation from chewing to reach the jawbone to regenerate bone cells.

New cells can’t be produced once you lose a tooth because the loss of a tooth root means no stimulation reaches the jawbone anymore, resulting in irreversible bone resorption. This can happen as early as 6 weeks following the loss of a tooth.

If you lose a tooth, we recommend immediate implant replacement to preserve the existing bone which will prevent facial sagging and changes to your facial structure. If you’re interested in dental implants to prevent bone loss, contact us at Rainier Smiles Dentistry to schedule a consultation with Dr. Steve Hong.