Dental Implants Beaverton
The Gold Standard of Tooth Replacement
If you have missing teeth, you may have thought about getting dentures or a traditional bridge. Certainly, those treatments can be effective. However, we typically recommend an even better option: dental implants. Because they rebuild lost teeth from the roots up, dental implants have become the gold standard of tooth replacement in Beaverton and around the world. Our team partners with local specialists to make sure you get top-quality care during every stage of your dental implant journey.
Why Choose Caring Smiles Dental for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Highly Skilled Local Specialists
- Top-Quality Restorations Based on High-Tech Digital Impressions
- Highly Skilled & Compassionate Dental Team
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small posts, or cylinders, that are usually made of medical-grade titanium alloy. They get surgically placed beneath the gumline during a minimally invasive procedure. Once they are inserted into the jawbone, they fuse with the surrounding tissue, a process that allows them to act as prosthetic tooth roots. They can provide a remarkably stable base of support or various types of restorations, including crowns, bridges, and dentures.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process takes place over several months and involves four main steps:
- Consultation: Dr. Appelhans will meet with you to discuss your case and assess your candidacy for dental implants.
- Dental implant surgery: We will refer you to a local specialist, who will carefully place your dental implants into your jawbone at their pre-planned locations.
- Osseointegration: Osseointegration is the biological process that allows dental implants to bond with the jawbone. It usually takes a few months. Afterward, you might need to undergo a second minor surgery so abutments (small connector pieces) can be attached to your implants.
- Restoration: You will return to our office so we can provide your beautiful new crown, bridge, or denture.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Without question, dental implants in Beaverton offer more and greater benefits than any other form of tooth replacement. Here are some examples of the advantages they offer:
- They provide an incredibly strong bite force that can stand up to any food.
- They look and feel very natural.
- Implants have the potential to last for 30 years or longer.
- They stimulate the jawbone and can prevent it from deteriorating.
- They can protect and support your remaining natural teeth.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Since dental implants are custom-made for each patient, they can help prevent bone loss, and they can last for 30+ years with proper care, they are widely regarded as the gold standard of tooth replacement. If you’re ready to face tooth loss head-on, then you’ll be happy to hear that they are also extremely versatile. In fact, they can replace one tooth, several teeth in a row, or an entire arch! So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Beaverton, Dr. Appelhans, if you want to find out if you’re a good candidate.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
During your consultation with Dr. Appelhans, she will review your dental and medical history, take a look at your X-rays, complete a visual exam, and ask you a few questions about your habits. That way, she can determine:
- If your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants
- If your gums and any remaining teeth you have are healthy
- If tooth extractions or any other preliminary treatments are needed
- If you’re committed to healthy habits, like flossing consistently
- If you’re willing to break bad habits, like smoking
Missing One Tooth
If you are missing only one tooth, we have good news: we can replace both the root and crown with a dental implant. The first step is inserting the implant post into your jawbone and allowing time for the two to fuse together. Once that has happened, we can secure a custom dental crown on top with an abutment. The last step is reviewing how to take care of it so it lasts for 30+ years, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Are you missing several teeth consecutively? If so, a traditional dental bridge is no longer your only option. If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, then we can place one on each side of the gap and secure a custom bridge on top. Since the restoration is self-supporting, the healthy teeth on each side don’t need to be altered. Plus, the strength comes from your jawbone, which results in increased stability.
Missing All Teeth
If you don’t have any of your natural teeth left, that’s okay – dental implants are still an option. If we decide together that it’s the best one for you, then we will place 4-6 dental implants strategically throughout the arch. Then, we will secure a custom denture on top. Since yours will be custom-made with your unique facial structure, dental needs, and aesthetic goals in mind, it will look and feel extremely natural.