Dental Implants – Oakton, WA
Rebuild a Beautiful, Functional Smile
Traditional tooth replacement methods restore only those parts visible when patients smile. Although effective, without the underlying root structure, patients may still experience adverse oral health effects related to tooth loss, including diminished jawbone density and gum tissue volume. Dental implants in Oakton restore the entire tooth, both the roots and the crown. If you have lost one or more teeth, contact Oakton Dentistry by Design to schedule your consultation for dental implants today.
Why Choose Oakton Dentistry by Design for Dental Implants?
- In-House Dental Implant Placement & Restoration
- Dentists with Years of Extensive Experience
- We Offer Additional Financing Through CareCredit
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that can be surgically placed below the gumline, within the jawbone. Due to their biocompatibility, they’re able to naturally fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration, allowing them to function just like your natural tooth roots once did. Once the fusion is complete, our team can then attach free-standing restorations to the implants, which will function as an unwavering foundation for them.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Consult: To help determine whether dental implants in Oakton are right for you, one of our skilled dentists will complete an in-depth evaluation of your teeth and gums with you. We’ll ask about your oral and medical health history as well. Based on our findings, our team will outline a treatment plan for you and walk you through it so you know exactly what you can expect throughout the process.
- Implant Placement: Once you consent to moving forward with our proposed treatment plan, our team will schedule your dental implant placement. We conduct the surgery in-house, so you’ll be able to be treated by the same team you trust throughout the entire process and avoid any need for referrals.
- Osseointegration: After your dental implants have been placed, it will be between three and six months until they fully integrate with your jawbone and your gums have healed. After that, we can attach abutments to the tops of the implants, which are small metal connector pieces.
- Securing the Final Restoration: The final step of your treatment will be when our team secures your final replacement teeth to your dental implants to complete your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Replacing both the root and crown of the tooth allows you to enjoy various advantages that are not possible with conventional treatments, including:
- Over a 95% 10-year success rate
- Looks and feels natural
- Restores 70% of your biting force
- Preserves your jawbone’s density
- Stops dental drift
- Improves oral health
- Protects your facial structures
- Long-term affordable solution
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Every dental implant treatment that we do is custom-tailored to our individual patient’s needs. Chances are, if you’re missing one or more teeth, you’re likely a good candidate for the treatment, but the best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with our team. During this visit, we’ll walk you through all of your treatment options, and if dental implants are right for you, we’ll provide important details about our plan of action, like how many implants you’ll need to have placed. Below, you can get a better idea of what your journey will look like depending on your unique situation.
What We Look for in Good Candidates:
Generally, you are a candidate for dental implants if you have good oral and general health, but you still need a consultation with your implant dentist in Oakton to ensure they are right for you. You also need a CT scan to assess the health of your jawbone. Your medical and lifestyle history are also discussed to ensure there are minimal risks for implant failure. Based on the results of the consultation, you may need additional treatments before your placement surgery, like bone grafting or a sinus lift.
Missing a Single Tooth
After a tooth is lost, your jawbone deteriorates because it is no longer stimulated by the root. This makes your remaining natural teeth lose support, so they drift toward the open space. This increases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bite issues, causing you to lose more teeth over time. Dental implants are the only treatment that can stimulate your jaw to stop bone loss and the complications associated with it.
Traditional prosthetics only replace the visible portion of a tooth. Dental implants go a step further to also treat the root. A titanium implant post is inserted into your jawbone to act as a new root to preserve its density.
Replacing both the root and the crown allows you to enjoy various advantages not possible with conventional treatments, including:
- Over a 95% success rate
- All-ceramic crown makes it look natural
- Restore as much as 70% of your biting force
- Preserves your jawbone’s density to stop dental drift
- Decreases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and additional tooth loss
- Does not alter healthy teeth
- Supports your facial structures
- Long-term, cost-effective treatment
Missing Multiple Teeth
Bridges have been a reliable choice for dentists for many years when a patient needs to replace one or more teeth in a row. A traditional bridge is comprised of replacement teeth are fused to two dental crowns. These crowns are affixed to healthy teeth on both sides of the gap in your smile in order to hold the bridge in place.
An implant bridge works similarly except that the dental crowns are attached to dental implants instead of two healthy teeth. The implants are positioned in the jaw alongside the gap in your smile. Then, the crowns are attached to the implants and your smile is once again complete.
Some of the benefits of replacing multiple teeth with dental implants include:
- Nearby teeth are not affected by dental implants
- Implants act like tooth roots, so they are more comfortable and secure
- Implanted posts stimulate healthy new bone tissue growth that preserves the shape and strength of your jawbone
- Implant-retained restorations are not removed for cleaning
- With proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, dental implants can last 30 years or more, and sometimes for a lifetime
Missing All Teeth
If you’re missing an entire row of teeth, our team can rebuild your arch by securing anywhere from four to eight dental implants along the gumline. These will act as a stable support system for a full denture to be attached to, completely eliminating any slipping or shifting that typically occurs with traditional dentures.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants cost more upfront than traditional treatments; however, they are designed to last for a lifetime. You will never need to worry about having them replaced if you care for them properly. This makes them more cost-effective in the long term.
The amount you pay for your new smile is determined by your individual treatment plan, such as if you need additional procedures and how many teeth you are replacing. In some cases, you can use your dental insurance to help lower the cost of the treatment. Although it will not pay for the entire amount, it may cover certain aspects, such as the anesthesia or restorations. We accept third-party financing with CareCredit to help pay any remaining balance to keep your new smile affordable.
Types of Dental Implants
The biggest cost associated with this tooth replacement option is the price of the implant posts themselves and their surgical placement. A dental implant is usually made from titanium or zirconia. These materials are precious and can be costly on their own, but the real cost comes from the fact that each dental implant post is custom made for your unique case by a dental lab or implant manufacturer. This leads to improved chances for successful implantation, but it does come at a premium. In most cases, manufacturers offer discounts for multiple dental implant procedures, and we do our utmost to pass this discount on to you.
The Stages of Dental Implant Treatment
In addition to the creation and placement of dental implant posts, there are a number of steps that need to be completed. Before we even place the implants, we may need to remove compromised teeth or place a bone or soft tissue graft. After implant posts are placed, we need to attach the abutments (connector pieces), design and craft the replacement tooth or teeth, and attach the custom crown, bridge, partial, or full denture. Throughout the process, you may also opt to utilize sedation dentistry to ensure your comfort. The entire process can take months and require numerous trips to our office.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
At the end of the day, the dental implant process requires a huge investment in both time and money from our patients, so the real question you should ask yourself is, “Are dental implants worth my investment?” In our opinion, the answer is a firm yes. Some of the many advantages that make implant supported tooth replacement worth the investment include:
- Fixed bridges, partials, and full dentures need to be replaced every five to ten years for proper function. An implant supported restoration offers a 95% or higher success rate after twenty years and 80-85% success after 30 years.
- Traditional dentures significantly limit diet, but an implant supported restoration will function just like your healthy, natural smile. This means you’re free to consume a varied, nutritious diet.
- Implant posts mimic your tooth roots, so the necessary stimulus is provided to the supportive underlying bone and gum tissue to ensure you maintain the optimal level of oral health.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implant Cost?
In most cases, dental insurance will not offer coverage for the dental implant posts or their surgical placement. However, almost all other aspects of treatment, including the replacement teeth and preparatory procedures, receive some insurance coverage. Our team of experts know how to maximize your available benefits to offset the out of pocket costs of your treatment and help you fit the cost of dental implant tooth replacement into your budget. We also work with third party financiers to offer low and no interest payment plans. Don’t hesitate to talk to our team about dental insurance and financing options.
Dental Implant FAQs
Will I need a bone graft if I want dental implants?
Bone grafting and dental implants often go hand-in-hand; however, the additional procedure isn’t always necessary. The long-term success of dental implants starts with the right foundation, which is why it’s important to have a strong, healthy jawbone. We’ll review a CT scan to evaluate your jawbone’s density. If we have any concerns about your jaw’s ability to support the posts, we’ll recommend bone grafting. Although it will add another step to your treatment plan, it’s essential for the viability of your new smile.
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Although it is preventable, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. If you’ve lost a tooth or two from the infection, you aren’t a candidate for dental implants if your gum disease is active. Don’t worry, you can become a candidate with periodontal therapy. We’ll create the personalized plan you need to stop the infection.
Does getting dental implants hurt?
It’s normal to be concerned about pain because you will need oral surgery to place the post into your jawbone. We use sedation or anesthesia to ensure your comfort, so you won’t feel any pain. You will have some tenderness and swelling for a few days while you recover, but you can manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses.
Once you’ve healed, you should never experience any pain. If discomfort occurs, it can be a sign of dental implant failure. Don’t wait to contact our office. We will detect the cause of your pain to protect your investment.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants are the most reliable tooth replacement treatment. The risk of implant failure is rare. In fact, it’s generally less than 5%. You can ensure your new smile thrives by committing to your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss every night before going to bed. Pay extra attention when cleaning the abutments and posts. Besides caring for your smile at home, don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
Can I use dental insurance to help pay for dental implants?
Many insurance carriers will cover a portion of the treatment after paying your annual deductible. This can lower the cost of certain steps in your plan until you reach your yearly limit. We will work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to file the necessary claims and forms to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. We’ll help you find the solutions you need to keep your new smile affordable.