What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants at Advanced Petrie Dental can help restore your smile if you’re missing one or more teeth. Our Tacoma, WA, implant dentist, Dr. Arvind Petrie, will place one or more artificial titanium roots into your jawbone, which will support a replacement tooth or teeth.
Implants are a great way to improve the function and appearance of your smile, and they can also help prevent potential bite and joint problems. Plus, with dental implants, you don’t have to worry about your remaining teeth shifting to fill the space left by a missing tooth.
What to Expect at Your Initial Consultation
The first step is an initial consultation with Dr. Petrie where he’ll examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine if you’re a good candidate. He’ll discuss your goals and develop a customized treatment plan. The consult also provides time to address any questions or concerns you may have.
The Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step
If you’re determined to be a good candidate, here’s an overview of the implant process:
- Implant Placement — Dr. Petrie will surgically insert the titanium implant root into the jawbone during this minor procedure. A local anesthetic and dental sedation are provided for your comfort.
- Osseointegration — The implant will fuse to the jawbone over the next several months during this healing phase.
- Abutment — A small connector post called an abutment is attached to the implant.
- Restoration — Dr. Petrie will place a natural-looking dental crown, bridge, or denture onto the abutment to complete your smile.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Ideal candidates for implants have healthy gums and adequate bone density in the jaw to securely hold the implant. Smoking, gum disease, and some medications can impact eligibility. Dr. Petrie will determine if you meet the criteria during the consultation and exam. If not, options are available to improve conditions first.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
There are many advantages to choosing dental implants, including:
- Long-lasting when properly cared for
- Look, feel, and function like natural teeth
- Preserve facial structure by preventing bone loss
- Improve chewing and nutrition
- Restore your confident smile
- Convenient to care for like your regular teeth
- A permanent tooth replacement solution
As you can see, there are many reasons to choose dental implants. Come in for a consultation with Dr. Petrie to see if they’re right for you!
One-Stop Dental Implants Shop
No need to go to multiple specialists! At Advanced Petrie Dental, Dr. Petrie can place and restore your dental implants all in one office. He has years of experience placing and restoring implants, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands.
While other implant dentists may refer you to an oral surgeon for implant placement and then to a separate dentist for restoration, Dr. Petrie can do it all right here in our Tacoma office. This saves you time and money, and it helps ensure that your implant placement and restoration are coordinated perfectly.
Our Dental Implant Treatments in Tacoma, WA
Implant Retained Dentures
Dr. Petrie can also place implants to support a denture. This is a great option for patients who have loose-fitting dentures or who are missing all of their teeth. Implant-retained dentures are more comfortable and stable than traditional dentures, and they can help preserve your jawbone.
This process begins with a consultation with Dr. Petrie to see if you’re a good candidate for implant-retained dentures. If you are, he will develop a customized treatment plan for you.
The next step is to place the implants into your jawbone. This is done through a minor surgical procedure. Once the implants have been placed, you will need to wait for them to fuse with your jawbone, which can take several months.
Once the fusion process is complete, Dr. Petrie will attach your denture to the implants. And that’s it!
If you’re missing teeth or are unhappy with your dentures, come in for a consultation with Dr. Petrie to see if implant-retained dentures are right for you!
Accelerated Treatment And Guided Implant Surgery
Dr. Petrie offers accelerated implant treatment and guided implant surgery to make the process as quick and easy as possible for you.
With accelerated treatment, we can place your implants faster than traditional methods. We do this by using special techniques and equipment that allow us to place the implants without making a large incision in your gums. This means less discomfort for you and a quicker healing time.
If you’re interested in accelerated treatment or guided implant surgery, come in for a consultation with Dr. Petrie to see if you’re a good candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete dental implant treatment?
The entire dental implant process often takes six to 12 months. The total timeline can vary based on each patient’s individual bone density and healing ability. It’s important to have patience since careful adherence to each phase results in successful, natural-looking implant teeth.
Is the dental implant surgery painful?
You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area around the implant site during the procedure, so you should feel very little to no discomfort during the actual surgery. Some minor soreness, swelling, and tenderness may occur during the first few days after surgery as your mouth heals. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide you with prescription medications to keep you comfortable during recovery. They will also give you proper aftercare instructions to follow.
What is the recovery time after dental implant surgery?
Recovery time after implant placement surgery is typically around five to 10 days. During this period, you can expect some inflammation, swelling, and tenderness at the implant site as your mouth mends.
Your diet may need to consist of softer foods for a short period. Cool compresses can help soothe any pain. Take it easy and avoid strenuous activity while the initial healing takes place. Follow all of your implant dentist or oral surgeon’s post-op directions closely to ensure proper healing.
How long until the new tooth is placed?
The bone and implant usually need approximately three to six months to fully integrate through a process called osseointegration before attaching the visible tooth restoration. This allows the titanium implant to fuse properly with the jawbone and become securely anchored.
Don’t worry, you won’t have a visible gap or metal post during this period. Your implant dentist or oral surgeon will provide a temporary restoration for aesthetics and protection. Once the implant site is fully healed, your dental crown, bridge, or denture can be attached.
Give Yourself the Gift of a Confident Smile
If you’re ready to say goodbye to missing teeth, loose dentures, or unwanted gaps and restore your smile with natural-looking, permanent implant teeth, we encourage you to take the next step and contact our Tacoma office at (253) 761-5422.
Reach out today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Petrie. Discover how dental implants can help you smile, speak, eat, and live with renewed self-assurance. Petrie Advanced Dental proudly provides dental treatments to patients in Lakewood, Federal Way, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and University Place.
