11
Jun
An introduction to getting implants to replace one tooth or to completely make over your smile
While Dr. Kaveendra Ranasinghe has the experience and knowledge to handle all your oral health needs, he takes a special interest in dental implants. So, when looking for a “dental implant expert in my area,” we encourage you to stop searching at Portland Dental. We serve PDX and our greater Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and northwest Oregon area. We are happy to walk you through what to expect from the implant process, courtesy of our patients’ questions about this popular way to replace teeth.
So, are the implants the replacement teeth?Â
Implants are part of the replacement teeth and are attached to them. Such replacement teeth may include crowns, bridges, or dentures. The implant functions as a tooth root to hold the new or artificial tooth in place, just like a natural tooth root.Â
How do implants hold the teeth in place?Â
The implant must be inserted into the jawbone. Dr. Kaveendra accomplishes this during an in-office surgery or procedure. Sometimes, a connector piece or “abutment” is applied while he inserts your implant. This “healing cap” may also be used as the implant heals, a process known as osseointegration.
Doesn’t it hurt?Â
You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort. Dr. Kaveendra uses an anesthetic and ensures the area to be treated is fully numbed before accessing the jawbone and precisely placing the implant.Â
What is osseointegration?Â
We know it’s a mouthful of a word. But generally, we are just referring to how the bone surrounding the implant naturally grows around this artificial tooth root. If this process didn’t occur, the implant could not function as a tooth root to stabilize the replacement tooth (crown) in the jawbone. This process is also possible because implants are made from special materials designed to naturally and safely fuse to the surrounding tissues.Â
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (503) 221-8123 | Existing Patients: (503) 227-1693
How long does this process take?Â
It can take several months. But with some implant systems, we can place your new teeth at the same time that the implants themselves are inserted. These systems include “immediate dentures.”Â
Can you use implants to replace that many teeth?Â
Yes! We can use implants as an alternative to conventional removable dentures. One way to consider your versatile options is to consider how a single implant may be positioned to support one restoration (a dental crown). A few implants may be applied to support several teeth (as a dental bridge)—a minimum of four to six implants to stabilize an upper or lower denture. We can completely rehabilitate the smile with both upper and lower implant dentures.Â
How long do implants last?Â
Artificial teeth cannot decay like natural teeth. With that being said, the natural tissues around the implant are vulnerable to damage from conditions such as gum disease-like peri-implantitis, which can ultimately lead to the loss of the tooth. Portland Dental works with you on home care tips and products and ongoing in-office professional services to keep your implants healthy and disease-free.Â
To learn more about the implant process and get on the path to a new smile today, contact our office in PDX serving the greater Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and northwest Oregon today at (503) 221-8123.
Share this Article
