Dental Implants in Tacoma, WA

Dental implants are permanent, sturdy tooth replacements that look just like your natural teeth. A titanium post is inserted into the jawbone that looks and functions like a tooth root. The implant naturally fuses to the bone over time, creating a stable foundation for your restoration. Typically, an abutment is attached to the top of the dental implant to support a permanent crown, bridge, or denture. This prosthetic device will perfectly mimic the appearance, function, and feel of your natural teeth while protecting the health of your jawbone. 

Patients who are missing one or more teeth may be ideal candidates for a dental implant-supported restoration. However, a thorough examination at My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS, including X-rays, must be completed to determine if enough bone structure is in place to support the implant.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer quite a few benefits over just having a tooth pulled or missing a tooth altogether. Not only do they fill in the space left behind by missing teeth, but they also help preserve the jawbone and prevent premature bone loss. This is especially beneficial for those who have been wearing dentures for an extended amount of time and have noticed a change in the fit of their dentures or their face sagging due to tooth loss.

In addition to preserving the jawbone and preventing premature bone loss, dental implants also help to promote oral health by preventing other teeth from shifting into the space left by the extracted or lost tooth. This helps prevent misalignment of your teeth over time.

The Procedure for Dental Implants

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that replace missing teeth in the mouth. The implants act as tooth root substitutes, providing a solid and sturdy foundation to which restorations like dental crowns can be fixed. Implants support artificial teeth just like natural tooth roots and essentially replace the tooth structure in your mouth. Dental implant procedures require oral surgery in the dentist's office. This means local anesthesia can numb the treatment site and prevent pain. Then a tiny hole is drilled into the jaw where the dental implant will be placed. This hole will allow the insertion of the implant post into the jawbone underneath your gums. Once the implant post is seated securely, it is left to fuse with the bone and tissue surrounding it, known as osseointegration. Once fully fused into position the implant crown is connected to the implant. This process takes 3-5 months to complete, during which you will be fitted with a temporary restoration until the permanent one is created. 

If you are ready to say goodbye to missing teeth and hello to a beautiful new smile with dental implants, visit My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS at 1919 N. Pearl St. Suite A-3, Tacoma, WA, 98406 or call (253) 761-5299.