Welcome to Confluence Dental Wenatchee – your family dentistry in Wenatchee, WA! Our family dentist in Wenatchee provides comfortable and professional dental care at prices that make sense. Our team has a passion for beautiful smiles. With top of the line technology and a staff that cares, our patients can feel at ease when they walk through the doors of our family dentistry in Wenatchee, WA. We offer a variety of dental services so we can best meet our patient’s needs. From oral diseases to orthodontics, we have a dental solution for you.
Utilizing the State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
Dental implants are an excellent way to replace a missing tooth (or more specifically a missing tooth root). An implant is a small titanium post that anchors a crown or a denture (called an overdenture if implants are involved). The process involves placing the implant into the jaw bone (either upper or lower), waiting several months for the bone to grow to the implant, then taking a mold of the implant to make a crown (that connects to the implant) or a bar (that connects to a denture to support the denture).
It is important to replace missing teeth for many reasons:
- Teeth adjacent to the missing tooth will tip (rotate) into the missing space
- Given enough time (many years) the teeth adjacent to the missing space could rotate completely sideways (falling into the space where the missing tooth is)
- The teeth opposing the missing tooth will grow toward the missing tooth space (a process called super eruption)
- The combination of rotation and super eruption could lead to a collapse of the bite
- The collapse of the bite could lead to sagging of mouth and an older appearance as well as jaw joint problems (TMD, TMJ)
- Missing teeth decreases your ability to chew and can affect speaking. Missing teeth can negatively affect your smile
FAQs
What are dental implants, and how do they work?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are placed through surgical method into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. They offer a really stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures, hence restoring both function and appearance.
Am I a candidate for dental implants ?
Ideal candidates are individuals with healthy gums and enough bone density to nicely support the implant. A consultation with our Wenatchee team will determine your suitability.
How long does the dental implant procedure take?
The process typically involves multiple stages over several months: initial consultation, implant placement, healing period, and final restoration. The precise timeline differs based on individual cases.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
Local anesthesia is administered during the procedure to ensure comfort. Post-operative discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed medications and typically subsides within a few days.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Avoid too hard or sticky foods that could damage the implant. Regular dental check-ups are quite essential to monitor the implant's condition.
How long do dental implants stay?
With great care, dental implants can last 15 years or more. The restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) may need replacement over time due to wear.