Dental Implants Available in Vancouver, WA

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are strong and durable dental restorations that will last many years. On occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for dental implants:

Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
Restore a patient’s confident smile.
Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
Restore or enhance facial tissues.
Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

What does getting dental implants involve?

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months with Dr. Michael Oakes and his team.

X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.

After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete. After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

You will receive care instructions from Dr. Oakes when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in the life of your new implant.

Dental Implant Restorations at Oakes Family Dentistry

To help our patients achieve lasting results that are the best option for tooth replacement, Dr. Oakes and his team, offers dental implant restorations as a comprehensive solution to single or multiple tooth loss. Our Vancouver dentist is able to provide all patients with multi-faceted treatments tailored to their unique smile whether you already have dental implants or are looking to restore your existing dental implants.

Am I a Candidate for Receiving a Dental Implant?

Once Dr. Michael Oakes has determined your candidacy for dental implants, he will begin developing a treatment plan tailored to your specific dental needs. For some patients, this may include preliminary treatments such as teeth extraction or bone grafting in order to effectively prepare the area for successful implant placement.

Following the placement procedure, patients return to Oakes Family Dentistry throughout the recovery period to ensure proper healing. During these visits, we check your implant to make sure it is successfully integrating into the underlying bone. Proper and complete integration is particularly important, as it promotes stability for the future restoration, helping patients to receive a truly lifelike tooth replacement.

Why Consider Dental Implants?

Dental implants offer stability, longevity, and improved oral function, often unparalleled by traditional restorative treatments such as bridges or dentures. Many of these benefits stem from the placement of the implant directly into bone, eliminating the need for neighboring teeth and tissue to support the restoration. This is particularly important, as traditional restorations can compromise the health of these adjacent structures, creating the need for restorative care in the future in order to retain dental function and health.

In addition to providing a stable foundation dental restorations, the integration of the implant into the jaw also stimulates healthy jaw bone volume, preventing potential bone deterioration and tooth loss that can accompany long-term tooth loss. From an aesthetic perspective, reinforcing jaw bone health helps to maintain patients’ facial structure, preventing the sunken look that often accompanies long periods of tooth loss and lack of bone stimulation.

If you have questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our friendly staff at Oakes Family Dentistry.

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