Do you have one or more missing teeth? Are you looking to replace them so that you have a healthy, attractive smile? If you’re looking for a tooth replacement option that looks and functions like a natural tooth, then you want dental implants.
Dental implants let you speak normally and enjoy all the food you ate with natural teeth. Plus they are easy to care for: just brush, floss, and see a dentist normally. And with proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
If you’re looking for the best tooth replacement option in Spokane, you’re looking for dental implants. Implant dentists Ken & Marnie Collins can make your smile whole again. Please call 509-532-1111 today for an appointment at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the tooth replacement option that is most like your natural teeth. With dental implants, you can:
- Replace any number of teeth: one tooth to all your teeth
- Enjoy beautiful, natural-looking teeth
- Eat all your favorite foods
- Maintain healthy jawbone and gums
- Protect your remaining teeth
- Easy maintenance: brush, floss, and see your dentist
- Get a lifetime of smiles
Dental implants can be used to replace any number of lost teeth. One implant can replace one tooth, or we can replace an entire arch of teeth with as few as four dental implants at our Spokane office.
Dental implants look natural. The gums can grow up around the replacement tooth so it’s indistinguishable from natural teeth. They function like natural teeth, too. You can keep them in while you eat and they let you chew just like natural teeth.
Dental implants also anchor in your jawbone, so they stimulate your jaw and gums. This keeps them healthy. Implants promote healthy teeth, too. Because implants support themselves, they don’t damage neighboring teeth the way dentures and bridges can.
With implants, maintenance is easy. Just brush, floss, and see the dentist regularly. And if you take care of them, implants can last a lifetime. Some people have had implants for more than 50 years!
Why Replace Missing Teeth
When people lose a tooth either to decay or due to an accident, they sometimes decide to live with the leftover gap, especially when the space is located in the rear of the mouth where it’s less noticeable. Unfortunately, missing teeth can cause our bodies to react in unexpected ways.
Often, a lost tooth promotes resorption, or bone loss, at the site, which will weaken the jaw. Additionally, surrounding teeth will often begin to float or shift into the space once held by the missing tooth (teeth), causing shifting which can promote temporomandibular disorder (TMD). What you may have considered a mild cosmetic irritation ultimately becomes something that can cause a great deal of pain, and can even change the way you talk.
Shifting can also cause other teeth to become crooked, which can promote a less attractive smile. Additionally, if you lose enough teeth, bone loss can cause your jaw to take on a sunken look, which will cause you to look much older than you actually are.
What Are Dental Implants?
In addition to their many previous years of training, Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins attend on-going training courses at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Our Spokane dentists have constant access to the most cutting-edge technology and advanced techniques. Aside from being dedicated learners, they are also clinical instructors at LVI. They utilize their experience in the treatment of every patient with customized excellence in cosmetic dentistry.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post that fits inside the jaw bone just as a tooth’s root would. Then a dental crown is attached to the post in place of the missing tooth. Not only is the gap filled and your cosmetic issue taken care of; thanks to the post attached to the crown, the bone is constantly stimulated, which helps to prevent any potential bone loss.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most people are candidates for dental implants in Spokane, WA. However, there are criteria that you have to meet.
- You must be at least 18 years old to be a candidate for dental implants. And sometimes, that may be too young. Your jaw must be fully developed to be a candidate.
- Healthy enough for surgery. The implant process requires anesthesia, so you must be fit for surgery.
- Healthy gums. You need to have healthy gums to undergo dental implant surgery. If you’re experiencing gum disease, we will treat it before placing your implants.
- Sufficient jawbone density. Your dental implants anchor to your jaw, so you’ll need to have adequate jawbone dentistry. If a thorough examination of your jaw shows that you don’t, bone grafting may be necessary to place your implants. We can do that right here for you at our office
If you smoke or have osteoporosis, make sure to mention it to doctors Ken and Marnie Collins. They’ll determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants, but if not, other options are available to replace your missing teeth.
Dental Implant FAQ
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a tooth replacement option that involves surgically implanting a titanium post into your jawbone and a crown or artificial tooth on top of the post. Spokane dental implants mimic your natural teeth – in aesthetics and function.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
You may be a good candidate for Spokane dental implants if your jaw is done growing, you have healthy gums, and you have enough jaw bone for an implant to be surgically placed. Even if you do not have enough jaw bone to support a dental implant, a bone graft may be performed to give your jaw the strength to support a titanium implant. Consult your cosmetic dentist to see if dental implants are the right tooth replacement!
What is the dental implant placement process?
First, your Spokane cosmetic dentist will perform a thorough dental examination – including X-rays – to ensure you are a good candidate for dental implants. Your dentist will also take impressions of your teeth and match the color of your natural teeth to the implant. They will ensure you have enough jaw bone for the implant to be inserted; if not, your cosmetic dentist will have to perform a bone graft, adding density to your jaw.
Once the titanium implant is inserted into your jawbone, it will be a few months before the jaw grows around it. Once it has, you will return to our office, and an abutment will be placed on top of the implant, which connects the crown (resembling a natural tooth) to the implant. Once your gums have healed, your implant dentist in Spokane will place a permanent crown on the top of the abutment.
How long does the dental implant process take?
It takes 4 – 6 months for dental implants to heal. In most cases, we can place the permanent crown right away, but if not, you’ll get a temporary crown that matches the color of your teeth while your implants heal.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Although you may feel pressure during the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any pain. Your experienced cosmetic dentist will ensure you are comfortable during the entire surgery, so you can relax and be at ease while achieving your dream smile!
Will people know I have implants?
That’s one of the best things about dental implants; no one will know! They’re the best tooth-replacement option on the market because they look and act like your natural teeth.
How long do dental implants last?
As long as you care for your mouth, teeth, and gums by brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting your Spokane dentist, your implant can last a lifetime. The crown on top of your implant can last 10 -15 years before needing replacement.
How many implants can you have in your mouth?
You can have an entire mouth full of dental implants!
Are You Considering Dental Implants in Spokane?
If you have a missing tooth that you’d like to take care of, Drs. Ken & Marnie Collins of Spokane, WA would be happy to talk with you about it. You can contact our office by email or call us at 509-532-1111 in Spokane. You can also make an appointment online.