Dental Implants - Spanaway, WA

Building Your Perfect Smile With Dental Implants

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What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are surgical components intended to replace missing teeth. They are composed of three separate pieces: the implant post, the abutment, and the custom-made crown. The implant post is a titanium rod that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to act as a secure root for the restoration. The biocompatible composition of the post allows it to bond with the surrounding bone structure upon healing. The abutment is a structural piece that connects the post securely to the crown. Finally, the crown is the visible addition to the implant, built to match the shade and size of the patient's surrounding teeth.

It's Time To Smile Again

We believe that everyone deserves a beautiful smile, and we are eager to be a part of your restoration with dental implants. Implants truly have the power to change your whole life — not just physically, but your confidence and self-esteem may improve as well. You'll feel like yourself again.

At Tranquility Dental Wellness, it's all about you and bringing your dream to life. Our dental professionals work closely with you to understand your needs and design a treatment plan specifically for you.

Single Implants

A single-style dental implant serves the purpose of restoring a single missing tooth. Many patients are surprised to hear how even one missing tooth can wreak havoc on their smile. This may cause neighboring teeth to shift out of place, causing misalignment to occur along the entire arch of teeth. Additionally, when the tooth on the above arch lacks pressure from the bottom tooth, it may begin to extend further from the tooth socket.

A single implant prevents this from happening by supporting the surrounding teeth and mimicking the entire structure of the lost tooth. Implants are composed of three separate components:

  • The post — anchors the implant in place and stimulates the jawbone
  • The abutment — connects the post to the crown with reliable strength and security
  • The crown — restores function and appearance to the mouth with a durable, custom created artificial tooth

The implant is secured into position, requiring no further maintenance or extra steps for the patient. They will simply brush and floss as usual; when taken care of, dental implants will last a lifetime, with the crown only needing to be replaced every 10 or 15 years.

Implant-Supported Bridges

Implant-supported bridges are very similar to traditional bridges; they are used to replace multiple missing teeth in a sequence. The main differences are:

  • With implants, neighboring teeth do not need to be prepared or crowned. These natural teeth are left untouched so that we can fill the smile gap without sacrificing the integrity of any healthy teeth.
  • Implants are connected to your jawbone and provide healthy stimulation. This prevents the bone from deteriorating due to lack of use.

Instead of being attached to teeth, implant-supported bridges are secured to implants on either side of the smile gap. Just like with single tooth implants, there is an implant post and abutment that each crown attaches to; this keeps the bridge of artificial teeth held securely in place, restoring the appearance and function of three or more missing teeth.

All-On-4 Implants

If you have an entire arch of missing teeth, All-on-4 could be an excellent choice. All-on-4 is a style of dental implant designed to restore a full arch of missing teeth using just four carefully positioned implants.

The position of these implant posts are precisely planned by our dentists using a CBCT scan, ensuring that they are supported adequately by appropriate jawbone density in each location.

All-on-4 is very similar to implant-supported dentures. The main difference is that while dentures are removable, All-on-4 is a fixed device with no removable parts. We find that this feels more natural for the patient and requires much less maintenance than dentures.

Dental implants will last a lifetime with proper care, and studies show that well-maintained All-on-4 appliances may last up to 20 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dental implants are designed to look and feel like real teeth. They let you chew and speak comfortably without slipping, and they stay fixed in place. Implants also support your jawbone and help keep your facial features looking natural.

With consistent brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, implant posts are made to last for many years, often decades. The crowns or bridges attached to them may eventually need to be replaced as they wear down over time, similar to traditional crowns.

Not at all. You care for dental implants much like your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing, along with routine professional cleanings, are usually all that is needed. There are no removable pieces, special adhesives, or soaking solutions to manage.

Yes. Implants act like replacement tooth roots and stimulate your jawbone when you bite and chew. This healthy pressure helps slow or reduce the bone loss that often happens after a tooth is removed.

The cost of implants in Spanaway depends on how many teeth need to be replaced, the style of restoration, and whether you need additional procedures like extractions or bone grafting. We need to examine your mouth and review images to give an accurate estimate. During your consultation, we provide a personalized treatment plan and a clear breakdown of all costs.

You may be a good candidate if you are missing one or more teeth, prefer a fixed option instead of removable dentures, and have healthy gums and enough bone (or are open to grafting). Our team will review your health history, take any needed X-rays, and talk through your goals to recommend the best options for your smile.

The Implant Process

  1. Complimentary Consultation
    All patients undergoing an implant procedure begin with a complimentary consultation. This allows our doctors to better understand the unique needs of the patient and resolve their concerns or answer questions. We take the time to listen to patients and ensure they feel confident moving forward.
  2. Preliminary Treatment
    Because the loss of a tooth can cause bone deterioration to occur in the jawbone, it's not uncommon for patients to require bone grafting prior to their implant placement. A bone graft will prepare the bone for the implant by restoring strength and density to the area. Other preliminary treatments may include gum disease treatment or tooth extraction.
  3. Implant Placement
    Once we have determined that the patient's health is in optimal condition, surgery for placement will be scheduled. During the surgery, we will create a small opening in the gum tissue and precisely place the implant into position in the jawbone.
  4. Healing Phase
    Over the following months, the implant will begin to fuse to the surrounding bone, ensuring a secure, stable foundation for the rest of the implant. The healing time will vary based upon the type of restoration being used and the oral health of the patient.
  5. Final Steps
    After the healing process has concluded, we will finish the implant with the addition of your abutment and brand new crown. This crown will be appropriately sized, colored, and shaped to perfectly blend in with your surrounding teeth.