Our Seattle Oral Surgeons Can Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants
Implant dentistry has transformed the landscape of tooth replacement, offering a permanent solution that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. At Maring & Johnson Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our oral surgeons specialize in providing top-tier dental implant services in Seattle that restore not just your smile, but your confidence and quality of life.
Don’t let missing teeth hold you back any longer. Contact our Seattle oral surgeons at 206-343-7500 to start your journey toward a complete, confident smile with dental implants. Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center is proud to serve patients from the nearby communities of Seattle, Medina, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Mercer Island.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. Made from biocompatible materials like titanium, these implants fuse with your bone over time, creating a strong foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. This innovative approach to tooth replacement offers unparalleled stability and longevity compared to traditional methods.
The Maring & Johnson Advantage Comprehensive Dental Implant Treatment Under One Roof
At Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we offer a unique advantage in dental implant treatment: comprehensive care all under one roof with oral surgeons and a periodontist. Our team’s diverse expertise allows us to handle every aspect of your implant journey in-house, from preliminary procedures to the final restoration.
Many patients require preparatory treatments before implant placement. These might include tooth extractions with bone grafting to build up jaw density and soft tissue treatment including gum grafting to ensure a healthy foundation. At Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists work together in Seattle so all of these treatments can be performed on-site.
This integrated approach offers several benefits:
- Streamlined treatment process with fewer appointments
- Consistent care from a team familiar with your case
- Seamless communication between specialists
- Potentially reduced overall treatment time and costs
Our ability to offer this full spectrum of care in one location sets us apart in the Seattle area. It ensures that every stage of your implant treatment is performed with the highest level of expertise and coordination, leading to optimal outcomes and a smoother patient experience.
The Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants
Patients can experience many benefits from dental implants, including:
- Natural look and feel
- Improved speech and eating ability
- Long-lasting results
- Preservation of jawbone health
- Enhanced oral hygiene
- Boost in self-confidence
Ready to discover how dental implants can change your life? Contact our Seattle oral surgeons and implant specialists today at 206-343-7500 to schedule your first appointment!
Types of Dental Implants
Single-Tooth Implants
Single-tooth dental implants replace individual missing teeth. A titanium post is surgically placed in the jawbone, topped with an abutment and a custom-made crown that matches your natural teeth.
All-on-4® Implants
Our oral surgeons specialize in All-on-4 dental implants, an innovative technique that uses just four implants to support a full arch of teeth. This method is ideal for patients missing multiple teeth or those transitioning from dentures. All-on-4 implants often allow for immediate loading, meaning you can receive your new teeth the same day as your dental implant surgery.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants as anchors instead of relying on neighboring teeth. They’re an excellent option for replacing three or more adjacent missing teeth, providing superior stability and preserving the health of surrounding natural teeth.
Implant-Retained Dentures
For those needing full arch replacement, implant-retained dentures offer a more secure alternative to traditional dentures. These dentures snap onto implants, dramatically improving stability and chewing ability while preventing bone loss.
The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process at Maring & Johnson is a carefully planned journey towards restoring your smile. For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures.
1. Treatment Planning
It begins with a comprehensive consultation where our Seattle oral surgeons assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan. Using our advanced imaging technology, we’ll map out the precise locations for your implants to ensure optimal results.
2. Implant Placement
The implant placement itself is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia, ensuring your comfort throughout. Sedation dentistry methods are also available for patients undergoing longer, more complex implant procedures and patients with dental anxiety or special needs. At Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, your safety is our top priority and our staff is trained in assisting with IV sedation.
Following the placement, there’s a three to six month healing period known as osseointegration, where the implant fuses with your jawbone. This creates a stable foundation for your new teeth. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time.
3. Final Restoration
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Maring or Dr. Johnson will uncover the implants and attach small posts (commonly referred to as “healing abutments”) that protrude through the gums and that will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire implant process usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily lives.
Maintaining Your New Smile After Dental Implant Placement
After your dental implant procedure, proper care is essential for long-term success. Our team at Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, including:
- Oral hygiene practices
- Dietary recommendations
- Follow-up appointment schedule
- Signs to watch for during healing
With proper care, your dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run. If you have any questions, contact our downtown Seattle dental practice at 206-343-7500.
Dental Implants vs. Traditional Tooth Replacement Options
While traditional options like bridges and dentures have their place, dental implants offer distinct advantages. Implants can last a lifetime with proper care, whereas traditional options may need replacement every five to 10 years. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants actively preserve jawbone health by stimulating the bone, preventing the bone loss often associated with missing teeth.
Stability is another key difference. Dental implants are fixed in place, providing a secure foundation that won’t slip or shift during eating or speaking. This stability allows for easier maintenance and cleaning compared to removable options. Perhaps most importantly, dental implants most closely mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. This natural feel not only enhances comfort but also boosts confidence, allowing you to smile, speak, and eat without worry.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most adults with good overall health are candidates for dental implants. However, factors such as bone density, gum health, and certain medical conditions can affect eligibility. At Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, we perform thorough evaluations to determine if implants are right for you. In cases where bone density is insufficient, we offer advanced bone grafting procedures to prepare your jaw for implant placement.
Discover if dental implants in Seattle are right for you by calling 206-343-7500 to schedule a consultation with our dental team.
Financing Your Dental Implant Treatment
We understand that dental implants represent a significant investment in your oral health. That’s why Maring & Johnson Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center offers flexible financing through CareCredit to help make this life-changing treatment accessible. Our team will work with you to explore payment plans and insurance coverage, ensuring that financial concerns don’t stand in the way of your new smile.
