Dental Implants

Dental implants offer an effective, long-term solution to replace missing teeth. At Federal Way Dental in Federal Way, Washington, David Rubinov, DDS and the team can restore your tooth function and appearance with implants that mimic your natural tooth roots. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a thin, long titanium post that replaces the root portion of a missing tooth. Teeth include two parts: the root (which sits beneath the gumline) and the crown (the visible part). Roots hold your teeth in place, ensuring a stable foundation. 

While traditional dentures and bridges restore tooth function and appearance, they aren’t as comfortable or intuitive as dental implants. Replacing your tooth roots allows your prosthetic teeth to feel and behave like your natural teeth. You can chew and speak without any special care.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants replace the function of tooth roots by holding your prosthetic teeth in place. The Federal Way Dental team surgically places dental implants into your jawbone, allowing them to integrate with your tooth-supporting structures.

When you lose a permanent tooth, the root deteriorates, and the supporting bone breaks down. This process threatens your healthy jawbone and increases your risk of tooth loss, facial sagging, and loosening teeth. 

Dental implants stimulate the jawbone through the osseointegration process. Once placed, new bone and tissue heal around the implant to hold it in place. This process ensures your implants remain stable and your bone has the stimulation it needs to prevent deterioration.

How do I prepare for dental implants?

Dental implants need a healthy foundation to osseointegrate. If you don’t have enough healthy bone in your jaw, the team may recommend a bone graft before implant surgery. This procedure involves adding bone tissue from a donor or your own body into areas of bone recession. 

It can take several months to heal from bone graft surgery before continuing the implant process.

What can I expect from dental implants?

The dental implant process begins with comprehensive digital X-rays and imaging scans. Once your plan is complete, the Federal Way Dental team performs dental implant surgery using sedation and local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Next, they create an access hole in your gums and insert the implant into your jawbone.

It takes about six to 12 weeks to heal from implant surgery, during which your bone stabilizes the implant. Once your mouth fully heals, the team takes impressions to create custom-made dentures, bridges, or crowns, which they attach at your final visit.

Call Federal Way Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental implants.