Kennewick dentist, Dentist in Kennewick, WA

Dental Implants

In the last 10-15 years, dental implants have become the standard of care in many situations. Implants are utilized to offer patients a foundation for new restorative teeth where natural teeth are missing or have been extracted. The implant offers the patient the opportunity to regain normal function of the tooth without being forced to resort to a bridge or a denture.

Benefits

• The surrounding bone will osseointegrate (fuse) to the implant, supporting your teeth firmly and safely.
• Your new implant-supported tooth will appear very natural.
• The presence of the implant will help prevent progressive bone atrophy. (This is so important!)

Procedure

Natural tooth structure has two main sections, the root and the crown. The root is the section of the tooth that is below the gumline. A dental implant replaces the root and the abutment and crown that are attached to the implant replace the visible crown.

The first step of the procedure is surgical placement of the implant. Under regular dental anesthetic, the gum tissue is opened and Dr. Mohlman places the implant into the jawbone and the tissue is then sutured closed. There is normally not significant discomfort with this procedure.

This implant will be left untreated for a period of 2-6 months. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration. A removable crown or a removable partial denture may be utilized during this time period to allow for chewing and to preserve the cosmetic appearance.

The next step in the process is to attach an abutment to the tooth. This is achieved by exposing the top of the implant and placing the abutment. This is the part of the implant that will support the final crown.

Finally, an impression is taken of the implant and a final restoration is crafted. This restoration will be comfortable and cosmetically pleasing. Your completed implant will be fully functional, allowing you to resume normal activities.