Lake Oswego Dental cares about teeth and cares about our patients, sparing no expense to provide only the most up-to-date dental equipment! We are a family-focused dental practice and treat our patients just like family — with the comforts of blankets, pillows, and flat-screen TVs to entertain.
Lake Oswego Dental professionals are aware that troubles do come to family members. The difficulties can start with an innocent throbbing that is brushed away by patients until awakened from a sound sleep with terrible pain. There are tooth injuries that come with sports activities or other accidents. There are the not-so-rare cases of gum disease that affects the bone structure under the gums. The only answer, unfortunately, is sometimes the extraction of a bad tooth, leaving a conspicuous or inconspicuous gap between teeth.
Tooth gaps can affect the facial structure. They can also cause jaw alignment issues and make it difficult to chew food. If left untreated, tooth loss can cause further deterioration of the bone under the gum. Dentures or bridges were once the only solutions to filling such gap, but modern technology now has a way to bring back smiles permanently — dental implants!
In brief, the implant process involves replacing the root of a tooth, when the tooth is extracted. This artificial tooth root is a durable titanium post and placed in the jawbone socket, in the gum line. As the jawbone heals, the jaw grows around this post, leaving a secure new artificial root to support a replacement tooth.
Next comes attachment of an abutment, or connector post, to the titanium root. A new artificial tooth, called a crown, is created from dental impressions taken of surrounding teeth. The new crown affixed to the abutment. The success of this new tooth is the strength of the titanium root firmly anchored into the jawbone. Use of a local anesthetic and sedation options (including laughing gas and oral sedation) eliminates any pain during the procedure.
There are three million adults in the United States with dental implants. Such implants look, feel, and function as well as natural teeth. They also require the same brushing and flossing as natural teeth, making at-home care simple. The other benefits of dental implants include increased confidence when eating and speaking compared to traditional removable dentures.
Tooth implants can last as long as 25 years, in comparison to dentures that might need replacement every five or ten years. There is no need to grind down other teeth, as dental bridges require. Most important, implants protect against further jawbone deterioration, preserving facial structure.
WebMD: Dental Implants
American Academy of Implant Dentistry: What are Dental Implants?
If you are tired of being the one in family photographs with a Mona Lisa smile it is time to call the professionals at Lake Oswego Dental at (503) 635-3431. Our comprehensive consultation includes a thorough examination of your mouth, X-rays, and discussion of your lifestyle to determine if you would be a successful candidate for a dental implant.
