Blaine Kennington DDS places true to life dental implants at Cowlitz River Dental near Longview, WA. Read the what’s and how’s of these tooth replacements.
Over the past 30 years, single-tooth dental implants have gained popularity over fixed bridgework. Boasting a high success and retention rate, dental implants placed by L. Blaine Kennington DDS offer many advantages over traditional tooth replacement options.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth made up of 3 parts: a titanium implant device (similar in shape to a hardware screw), a metal post or abutment and a custom-designed porcelain crown to cover the post. Placed during a multi-stage, in-office surgical procedure, the implant confers the natural feel and function of a natural tooth.
Because it resides right in the jaw bone, the implant actually bonds to the jaw, reinforcing the bone. This fascinating natural process is called osseointegration. Osseointegration provides exceptional support for the dental implant device–so much so that dental implants may be placed singly or in multiples, to replace old-fashioned fixed bridgework or full dentures as the treatments of choice.
Can anyone get dental implants near Longview, WA?
Dental implants avoid the consequences of missing teeth–that is, jaw bone resorption, gum recession, mobility of neighboring teeth and poor smile aesthetics. The best candidates:
- do not smoke
- practice regular home hygiene (brushing and flossing)
- are in good overall health
- are free of gum disease
- have sufficient jawbone to accept the titanium screw device
What’s the procedure like?
Dr. Kennington examines the patient’s mouth and takes digital x-rays to evaluate jaw bone structure. If the jaw bone is insufficient in some way, he can use bone grafting procedures to build it up to accept the implant.
To start the implant process, Dr. Kennington drills a pilot hole into the bone and fits a high quality implant into the site. He sutures the area closed, and after an extended period of healing, he re-opens the site and bonds a post to the implant. A customized porcelain crown completes the process.
The patient maintains the device with twice daily brushing and once a day flossing. Routine 6-months exams and cleanings are a must to avoid an infection called peri-implantitis where plaque and tartar infect surrounding gum and bone, threatening the retention of the implant.
What else should you know?
It’s important that people interested in this innovative tooth replacement option select a dentist who is fully qualified and experienced to place dental implants. Inquire as to how many procedures he or she has actually done, what the total cost of the procedure is and where the doctor purchases the implants. Research the dentist’s credentials, too.
Dr. Kennington openly discusses all aspects of this dental service with his patients. He welcomes questions and full participation in formulating the treatment plan. Additionally, his credentials speak for themselves. Among other qualifications, this Castle Rock dentist is a founding member of Advanced Dental Implant Studies (ADIS).
Contact Cowlitz River Dental
You’re sure to have more questions. Why not contact Cowlitz River Dental to arrange a personal consultation with Dr. Kennington and his team? Dental implants could complete your great-looking smile!