Dental Implants Improving Castle Rock Smiles
Dr. Kennington is a founding member (2009) of Advanced Dental Implant Studies (ADIS). ADIS is a group of about 70 dentists from across the country dedicated to furthering clinical implant dentistry. He meets in Atlanta four times each year to present, discuss, evaluate, and develop implant treatment techniques.
Our team at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA is always interested in providing the most up-to-date dental treatments. That’s one reason why we offer dental implants for tooth replacement. Dental implants have become THE premiere tooth replacement method over the decades, making it possible for you to have a great smile after loss of teeth has caused extensive damage. Because dental implants work much like natural teeth, they give you an improved sense of security and comfort, and they actually improve oral health too.
Dental implants offer patients several advantages, including:
- Strength
- Durability
- Stability
- Improved Oral Health
- More Pleasing Appearance
- Improved Function
- Greater Jaw Health
Why choose Cowlitz River Dental for your dental implants? If you need a combination of oral surgery treatments to accommodate the proper placement of your dental implants, such as bone grafting, gingival reconstruction, or guided tissue regeneration, we can provide these treatments. From start to finish, your care will be provided by our talented and experienced team in Castle Rock, Washington. For patients with even extensive damage, our office offers an extremely high level of care. If you’re considering dental implants, contact Cowlitz River Dental.
Implant Placement
Why are dental implants the most successful reconstructive solution available in today’s world? Simple – they actually replicate every part of the natural tooth, including the root that exists under the gum line. Your tooth roots are providing essential stimulation to the jawbone, and this bone may gradually deteriorate over time if teeth are missing for an extended period. This is why many older patients with traditional dentures or bridges tend to develop a “hunched” facial appearance. Dental implants also provide stimulation to the jawbone and help maintain the bone and oral health while also providing a beautiful, functional replacement for the lost tooth or teeth.
Once you have decided that implants are the right option for you, restoring your tooth (or teeth) will start with the surgical insertion of the implant(s) into the jawbone. Once the implant is securely in place, the natural tissue will slowly heal around it, and eventually securely bond to it. This sets the stage for a custom-made restoration that will rebuild the crown portion of the tooth.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Learning how dental implants work in Castle Rock requires talking to your dentist to better understand how they are placed. Each person who is choosing these permanent prosthetics to replace their missing teeth may have individualized treatment plans, but there is a 4-step process that must be followed to ensure that these new teeth remain firmly in place for decades or even a lifetime. Spend a few moments reading through each step so that you’re more familiar with what you can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The initial step is a scheduled consultation with Dr. Kennington. You’ll be required to meet with him to discuss the status of your oral and overall health. Dental implants are generally a great option for most patients, even if their mouths are not in the best shape at the start of treatment. The good news is that if you need help to improve your gum health or jawbone density, we can recommend treatment options to get your smile in better shape for dental implants.
If you have gum disease, we can treat it with periodontal therapy. If one or more teeth suffer severe decay, we may discuss extracting these teeth first. If you lack jawbone density, Dr. Kennington can repair the damage with bone grafting. Our team will either take material from another part of the mouth or use tissue from a donor bank to form the graft, and this graft will encourage the development of new, healthy bone.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once you have decided that implants are the right option for you, restoring your tooth (or teeth) will start with the surgical insertion of the implant(s) into the jawbone. Once your implant dentist makes a small incision in the gum tissue, your implant will be put into place within the bone. After closing the gum tissue, it will slowly heal around it and eventually, securely bond to it. This sets the stage for a custom-made restoration that will rebuild the crown portion of the tooth.
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
After your surgery, you’ll be sent home to begin recovery. This will include allowing osseointegration to occur, which means your dental implants and bone tissues need time to fuse and create a solid, stable foundation for your new teeth. Once you’re fully healed from this part of your recovery process, you’ll return to have Dr. Kennington place your metal abutments, which will help to hold your dental implant in place as it attaches to your restoration.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The last step is receiving your custom-made restoration. Using digital impressions taken of your mouth, we’ll send the images off to a lab, where technicians will complete an intricate process of fabricating your new teeth. Whether it is a dental crown, bridge, or denture, your restoration will look and feel natural as well as deliver a smile that will last 30 years or more with proper maintenance.
Implant-Retained Crowns & Bridges
There are multiple types of implant-retained restorations, and your eventual fit will depend on the number of natural teeth lost and any personal preferences you may have. For instance, an individual tooth will be recreated with an implant-retained crown, which is custom-made and crafted from high-quality ceramic materials. This “tooth” will fit alongside natural teeth without requiring any negative alteration of the surrounding structures, resulting in a very natural look.
If you’ve lost natural teeth that appear in a row, an implant-retained bridge could be the right option. This type of restoration requires two implants, which are placed on either side of the existing gap. The full bridge is then held securely in place by the implants and restores the patient’s cosmetic appearance and functional bite.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Extensive tooth loss can be repaired with state-of-the-art dental implants through the use of a personalized, implant-retained denture. Instead of placing one implant per lost tooth, our team may insert a smaller number of implants that will anchor the full denture, which is typically more cost-effective. There are two major types of implant-retained dentures:
- Overdentures – Many of our patients have worn traditional dentures for several years, and deal daily with loose-fitting teeth. A denture that is designed to snap onto implants is called an overdenture and can eliminate the loose-fit. An overdenture can still be removed by the patient whenever they want.
- Hybrid Dentures – Hybrid dentures are securely fixed in place over the implants by Dr. Kennington. While they should be removed by our dental team at regular intervals for maintenance, patients will not be able to remove them at home. They will function very much like natural teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
When meeting with Dr. Kennington to discuss your replacement teeth, one of the biggest factors in your decision-making process will likely be the cost of dentures in Castle Rock. As it is with most patients, the price tag of treatment can often be the biggest hurdle. The good news, however, is that most dental insurance companies provide coverage for dentures. Also, our dental team will be happy to assist in maximizing your benefits, filing paperwork and claims, and helping you lower your out-of-pocket expenses with flexible financing should you need it.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
No two denture patients are the same, so when visiting your denture dentist in Castle Rock, you can expect him to use the following three factors to provide a clearer estimate for the cost of your new smile:
- The materials used to create your dentures, which are typically acrylic and porcelain
- Preliminary treatments that are often necessary before a patient can receive dentures (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy)
- The type of denture you will need is based on how many teeth are missing (i.e., full or partial denture or implant dentures)
You may find some dentists and companies provide less expensive dentures but before you move forward, make sure you understand that the price you pay ultimately determines the quality you receive. Using more durable materials will ensure you enjoy a longer-lasting smile, which Dr. Kennington will fully explain during your initial consultation.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
Implant dentures are naturally more expensive than traditional prosthetics but when you look at their many benefits, you can see why millions of people throughout the U.S. are turning to them to restore their smiles. The titanium posts used to create the foundation for your new denture are capable of lasting 30+ years with proper maintenance. This is unheard of for regular dentures. They also create a more durable, functional, and natural-looking aesthetic, keeping patients like yourself happy and healthy for decades or longer.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
If you review your dental insurance policy, you will find it likely covers up to 50% of the total cost of your dentures. Commonly viewed as a major restorative service, your insurance carrier will determine if you’ve met your deductible and how much of your annual maximum is left before deciding how much they’ll ultimately pay. This can be a huge relief for those suffering from tooth loss, as this type of dental work can be costly, no matter the type of prosthetic you receive. Fortunately, we’ll work on your behalf to help you save the most money as you pursue a new smile.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
If you’re uninsured or simply need assistance paying the remaining balance after filing with your dental insurance carrier, Dr. Kennington is pleased to partner with the third-party financier, CareCredit. Enrolling in this program will allow you to break up the cost of your dentures in Castle Rock into manageable monthly payments. Typically, you can choose a plan that works well with your schedule and allows you to remain well within your budget.