Dental Implants
Do I need Dental Implants?
If you lose one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, or another cause, there is hope. Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes.
The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts protrude through the gums and are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Dental implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Evaluation
During your initial visit, Dr. Akimoto, Dr. Kanter, Dr. Lwo, Dr. Safioti or Dr. Zhu will conduct a full exam and address your specific needs and considerations. Your questions and concerns are important to us, and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.
We will also discuss fees and insurance at this time. There are many types of insurance plans, and coverage for implants is varied. We will be happy to assist you in understanding your insurance benefits.
The Surgical Procedure
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following the surgery, dental implants beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet at this time. At the same time, your restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture that will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Drs. Akimoto, Kanter, Lwo, Safioti or Zhu will uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. After two weeks your general dentist will be able to start making your new teeth. An impression must be taken. Then posts or attachments can be connected to the implants. The teeth replacements are then made over the posts or attachments. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.
What Types of Prosthesis are Available?
A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth. Each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by a professional.
Drs. Akimoto, Kanter, Lwo, Safioti and Zhu have received extensive training in Dental Implantology. Through continuing education, Drs. Akimoto, Kanter, Lwo, Safioti and Zhu are abreast of the most current information on implant dentistry.
Northwest Periodontics & Implants
Patient Review
My dad had tooth that was broken in half and it ached for months. We were referred to Dr. Zhu so we gave him a call and he kindly took us in to take a look. He took an x-ray and projected it to this huge tv in the room. He showed us what he saw and found that the tooth could not be saved. He explained the process in detail and answered all of our questions. We were able to quickly schedule a follow up appointment to remove the tooth. The appointment itself was great and my dad was so happy to have gotten the tooth taken care of. One week later the gums healed nicely and Dr. Zhu painlessly removed the stitches. I've seriously never seen such a nice dentist office before. They did a fantastic job building out their space and optimised it for patient comfort. The view out of the room was nice and peaceful which helped ease the stress of going to the dentist. My dad was thoroughly impressed and we would absolutely recommend Dr. Zhu to anyone in need of a periodontist.
- Christine V
Patient Review
Dr. Zhu was informative, knowledgable, kind, and went above and beyond! His huge smile is so welcoming when he walks into the door, and also very reassuring, because, let's be honest...I would run out the door if my Dr. walked in and had terrible teeth. You have to practice what you preach right? So right off the bat, there was a reassuring aura about Dr. Zhu and again, the bright genuine smile. Heading to see anyone regarding your teeth can be nerve-racking, but Dr. Zhu and his staff did everything in their power to ensure I felt at ease and understood the entire process of what would happen and what I needed. Nothing felt pushy or rushed. I felt like they all really cared about my well being and wanted to take the time to understand where I was coming from. People too often brush off the importance of the health of their teeth, and that's one of the biggest mistakes anyone could make. I would highly recommend going to see Dr. Zhu. I save my 5 star reviews generally, but Dr. Zhu and his staff are well deserving of the stars. Thanks guys!
- Kimberly I