Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural.
Implants are surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, and fuse to the jawbone. Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone, a process called osseointegration. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural, and some people find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.
Candidates for dental implants must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant.
Reasons for Dental Implants
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Replace a missing tooth
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Maintain healthy bone levels
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Help support overdentures
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Keep the look and feel of a real tooth where one is missing
The Dental Implant Process
During the implant process, we work closely with an implant specialist, who will place the implant into the jaw and monitor the success of the placed titanium screw. Once the gum tissue and implant are ready, Dr. Johnson will then place the abutment and crown.
Attaching the Post When the gum tissue is ready, a special post is attached to the implant; it is the support for the new porcelain crown. Today's technologies often include zirconium abutments attached to the implant post, to assure that the new porcelain tooth possesses translucency properties similar to a natural tooth.
Placing the Crown After impressions are taken a crown is made and shaded to match your existing teeth. The crown is then slipped over the post and cemented. This final prosthetic crown appears as a natural tooth.
There is a high rate of failure of implants in patients who smoke, so dental implants tend to not be an option for patients who are actively smoking. We will help you determine whether dental implants will be a good tooth replacement option for you. Proper brushing and flossing will maximize the longevity of your new dental implant.
LOCATION
Jeff Johnson, DDS 5611 119th Ave SE #5 Bellevue, WA 98006
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. 
