Dental Implants Bellevue & Renton WA

Oral Surgeon Bellevue WA

A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic components. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium alloy – the same time-tested material used by surgeons to repair broken bones. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the surgeon first replaces the root with a dental implant.

Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the implant, creating a strong foundation for the new tooth crown.  A support post (abutment) is placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In some cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Oral surgeon first removes a damaged tooth, graft bone if necessary and places the dental implant in time-specific manner.  The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent crown.