Dental Implants
What to expect: Implants
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or to support a denture or bridge to replace multiple teeth. While they appear to only have an aesthetic benefit, implants serve more purpose than appearances. They also serve as a substitute for natural teeth in that they stimulate the bone beneath them. This causes the bone to stay dense and healthy, promoting better and longer-lasting oral health. When having an implant placed to replace a single tooth, a crown is placed on the abutment connected to the implant, similar to when a crown is placed on a natural tooth. If dental implants are placed to support a denture, there are two options. The first is the traditional “snap-in” implant-supported denture. Usually, two or four implants (sometimes more) are placed. Abutments are later attached to the implants, and an attachment is placed in the denture. The attachment in the denture fits to the abutment on the implant, creating a “snap-in” denture. Denture retention is significantly improved compared to a traditional denture, which holds on by suction.All-On-X Restorations:
“All-on-X” dentures are a more complex type of implant-supported dentures. However, All-On-X, or permanent dentures, are considered the closest available prosthetic to natural teeth. These fixed dentures are screwed into place, into heavier-duty dental implants. They are not removed at night like traditional dentures; they are only removed by the dentist during regular maintenance appointments. Fixed dentures are more durable than snap-in dentures and are designed to last a lifetime. An implant traditionally consists of 3 parts: The implant post, the abutment, and the crown (or an attachment in a denture). The implant post will be placed first, and be allowed to heal for 4-6 months before the next appointment. There is a possibility of needing a “second-stage” surgery after about 2 months, in which the implant is re-exposed (if the gum has grown over it) and a healing cap is placed on the implant. After the implant has fully integrated with your natural bone, it will be time for the next stage of your treatment.Before implant placement:
Your dentist’s office will discuss with you the different sedation options and the preoperative instructions for whichever option you choose. Depending on what type of sedation you are choose, you may not be able to eat for 4 hours before your appointment. Without breaking these restrictions, you should remember that your diet will be limited during your recovery. It would be beneficial to eat a healthy meal beforehand. Another type of sedation involves taking 1 or 2 pills at a set time before your appointment. Take careful note of the dental office’s instructions and be sure to take the proper dosage at the proper time. This ensure the best sedative effect during your appointment. Before any oral surgery, your dentist may recommend that you utilize an antimicrobial oral gel or mouth rinse to prepare. This can be especially important for dental implant procedures, where good bone and gum health are important to ensure successful implant placement and integration. Therefore, it is also important to brush and floss regularly to improve and maintain your oral health.After implant placement:
After an implant is placed, it will be necessary to wait for the implant to “osseointegrate”. This means that the titanium material of the implant will securely bond with your bone. Typically, this takes about 4-6 months. Your dentist may recommend using an antimicrobial recovery kit, to build a habit of good oral health, and to ensure that your recovery is as quick and painless as possible. Just like with other oral surgeries, you should be careful not to aggravate the area, which means being careful about what you eat (See What to Expect: Oral Surgeries for more information about what to eat and when during your recovery). In many cases, usually about 16 weeks after your implant placement, you will need to have an “implant exposure”. This is a short, simple procedure that involves exposing your implant from where the gum has healed over it A small healing cap is placed on the implant to keep the gum from growing back. If your implant is placed to replace a single tooth, your next visit after complete osseointegration will be to place the abutment on the implant post—this is the connecting piece between the implant post, which substitutes for the tooth root, and the implant crown. Shortly after the abutment is placed, the final crown can be seated. For an implant to support a denture, abutments will still be placed. After healing, rather than placing an implant crown, it will be time to start having a denture made. If you have been wearing a conventional denture while you wait for the implants to heal, then your denture can be modified to have the necessary attachments added.Implant-supported dentures at Sapphire Denture Clinic
At Sapphire Denture Clinic, our dental implant procedures are planned carefully. Dr. Najar is particular in his assessment of a patient’s oral health needs to regain a functional and aesthetic smile. Jin You makes dentures with precision, and takes care to ensure that the fit to the implants is comfortably secure. For single-tooth implants, our sister office, Diamond Dental, offers single-tooth replacements with the same quality assurance. If you’re near Bellingham, Washington call (360)483-0393 to schedule a free consultation. 
