Have you gotten to the point where you’re considering buying dentures or you’ve already purchased them to replace your natural teeth? Although dentures may seem like a permanent solution to your dental issues, there are actually much better options out there. If you’ve lost a significant amount of teeth, you want a solution that lasts the rest of your life, not just a quick fix that won’t help in the long run. In this blog, we’re going to talk about dental implants and why you should choose them over standard dentures.

In order to see why dental implants are a better way to go than dentures, you should first learn how dentures work. There are three types of dentures: conventional full dentures, immediate full dentures, and partial dentures.

 

Immediate full dentures are placed right after your remaining teeth are extracted. Before your extraction procedure, your dentist will create a model of your jaw and apply them right after the procedure. These types of dentures need to be realigned regularly in order to prevent the changing bone from loosening your dentures.

Conventional full dentures require you to wait several months for the tissue in your gums and jaw to heal before being applied. This means you’ll be without teeth during this time.

Partial dentures lay on a metal piece that is attached to your natural teeth. You may be able to get a crown attached to your natural teeth in order to anchor in the denture.

 

Just by learning about the types of dentures there are available, it’s not hard to see the issues with them. Depending on the type of denture you get, they may not feel natural for months after your procedure. And in the case of conventional full dentures, you won’t have any teeth while your mouth heals. Even once they are comfortable, it may take a lot of time and practice to speak and chew naturally with them.

How long do they last?

Dentures also take a lot of time and effort to clean and maintain. Dentures that are not cared for properly can be dried out, broken, or warped if hot water is applied for long periods of time. You’ll need to buy a special denture cleaning solution and soak your dentures in them every night. After a while, your dentures will need to be aligned or remade if they’ve seen a significant amount of wear. In some cases, you may need to have the base of the dentures remade to accommodate for changes in your mouth.

How much do they cost?

When it comes to dentures, one of the biggest concerns is the cost. Conventional full dentures will cost you around $1275 to $2750. Immediate full dentures will cost around $1475 to $3150, and partial dentures around $950 to $1900.

Contact Northwest Periodontics

Would you like to learn more about dental implants? Read our next blog to learn about the options that are available. If you’d like to speak with an experienced periodontist, contact Pacific Northwest Periodontics today.

If you’re considering the possibility of an implant procedure, you will more than likely have questions for Dr. Darrin A. Rapoport and Dr. Ralf F. Shuler. You might be wondering how dental implants compare to your regular teeth and if you’ll be able to notice any differences. Here at Pacific Northwest Periodontal in Seattle, we want to fill you in with all you need to know about the similarities and differences between dental implants and your regular teeth. Having our patients understand and be comfortable with our procedures is of the utmost importance to us. Schedule an appointment for examination today to see if dental implants are right for you!

Dental Implants Are More Durable

One of our primary goals in our implant dentistry practice is to provide the same form and function as your natural teeth. However, with that in mind, it is important to note that an implant is not a tooth. Since it is made out of a titanium base and, in most cases, a ceramic exterior, an implant is not capable of decay and does not have the dental pulp or a periodontal membrane that occur with your other teeth. This means they normally last just as long as your other teeth and can endure more.

Dental implants are composed of three distinct components that make up the layers of the tooth: the implant body, the abutment, and the restoration. This differs greatly from regular teeth as the layers are less apparent in natural teeth, and therefore blend together more. Having more discernable, separate layers is what keeps dental implants from being nearly as susceptible to bacteria and decay.

With that being said, it is still extremely important after having a procedure to take care of your implant by keeping up good oral hygiene habits and getting routine checkups as you would for your natural teeth. This is because your implant needs time to form a strong bond with your jawbone in order to be less susceptible to gum disease or misalignment. In this way, an implant is still very similar to a tooth!

 

 

Look and Feel of Dental Implants

When it comes to the look and the feel of an implant, it is very difficult to decipher many differences. They are very aesthetically pleasing as good dentists are able to get the color and shape to replicate the old tooth almost identically. After receiving a dental implant and following the post-operation procedure, it is also hardly noticeable to you in terms of feeling. Especially when compared to dentures or dental bridges, implants have a lot less noticeable sensation. They also are more functional as they can still be cleaned and flossed just like your other teeth.

Overall, dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. They allow you to have all of the same functionality that you do with your other teeth, but they can withstand more in many cases. As long as they are inserted with the correct procedure by certified, credentialed Doctors like ours at Pacific Northwest Periodontics, they will bring your smile back and greater than ever. If you’re interested in seeing if a dental implant is right for you, schedule a consultation today!

Dental implants are certainly a marvelous innovation in modern science, but you may be wondering, what exactly are these things that are replacing my teeth? Here at Pacific Northwest Periodontics, we want you to have access to the same information and knowledge as us; in order to help answer your questions and show we can be trusted with your next dental implant procedure in the Seattle area. Schedule an appointment today!

 

History Of Dental Implants

To fully understand the progression behind the science and technology of dental implants, let us begin with a quick history lesson. Contradictory to popular belief, the first dental implants were not George Washington’s mythical wooden teeth, but in fact seashells. According to the AAID, Archaeologists have found remains from Mayan and Aztec burial sites in Central America in which tooth-shaped seashells had been hammered into jaws to fill empty tooth sockets.

Today, the process is not near as excruciating thanks to the Swedish orthopedic surgeon, P.I. Branemark. He discovered  that titanium was a highly practical material for use in dental implants because it naturally fuses with bone. This allows titanium dental implants to be inserted and your jawbone will naturally bond to the titanium and fill the gap nicely, similarly to the way a natural tooth would.

 

How Implants Are Formed

• The process starts with a four-meter long solid titanium rod that can be formed into approximately 200 implants.
• Exterior threading is cut into the rod in order to aid in anchoring the implants into jaw.
• The individual dental implants are then cut to length, and the interior threads are drilled to attach the crown.
• The implant is cleaned and then inspected for correct dimensions.
• The implant is sent through a vapor degreaser, where solvent vapors envelop the titanium to clean off residual lubricant and oils used in the cutting process.
• The top of the implant is then dipped into a mild acid that is electrically charged to produce a color (anodizing).
• The same process is then done to the exterior of the implant to create a more a porous surface which helps it bond to the jawbone.
• A final cleaning is done in hot, purified water where a generator sends high frequency sound waves into the water creating waves and bubbles that gently scrub the implants.
• Then it is ready to be used!

 

 

How Crowns Are Formed

Crowns can be made from stainless steel, gold, silver, or ceramic.

• In this example , we will explain the process using the most popular material:  ceramic.
• A plaster impression of the mouth is formed.
• The impression is scanned into a computer and the dimensions are electronically determined.
• Liquid plaster is then formed into molds that are hardened and cured for 12 hours.
• Molds are then cut to match the dimensions of the tooth being replaced. The mold is  20-30% larger to allow for shrinkage of materials later.
• Next, a device sticks the tooth into liquid ceramic that hardens into a glaze.
• A ceramic powder is formed into molds and then the tooth is placed into the powder.
• The powder is then solidified onto the tooth. Any excess ceramic is chiseled away to match the file of the replica tooth. The entire crown is then heated to harden the ceramic and shrink it to its appropriate size.
• Porcelain is then painted onto the crown and heated to make it appear like a normal tooth.

If you want to learn more about dental implants from our highly knowledgeable team, check out some of our other articles on “What Are Dental Implants?”

Not sure if it’s right for you?  Pacific Northwest Periodontics in Seattle is currently offering a full exam and consultation with Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler for only $99. Schedule your visit today!

After careful consideration and research, you have decided that dental implants are what is right for you and your situation. The only problem now is, how can you possibly afford to have a procedure like this done? Everyone you have talked to proclaims how expensive a procedure dental implants are, which may make you question, is it really worth it?

It might surprise you to hear that dental implants may cost less than other forms of treatment available to restore teeth. The reasoning behind a lot of the cost issues with dental implant procedures has a great deal to do with the dentists providing the services.

Choose a Periodontist you can trust.

Any dentist will tell you that they are more than willing and capable of doing implants, because they know there is a high profit off of these procedures. But the way to get the lowest possible cost for your dental implant procedure is to contact a certified dental implant expert like Doctors Darrin A. Rapoport and Ralf F. Shuler of Pacific Northwest Periodontal. Our dentists are ‘credentialed implant dentists’ certified by the AAID, meaning they have documented amounts of education, training, and proven experience with dental implant procedures.This also means that they have knowledge and information available to keep your overall cost to a minimum.

Not only are both of our doctors credentialed, but they are both board-certified by the American Board of Periodontology, a status that only 10% of the periodontists in the U.S. have been able to achieve. This goes without saying that they are among the leaders of the industry and can be trusted to not only provide quality treatment, but among the most affordable.

Get examined before getting prices.

One thing to be vigilant of when getting prices for dental implants is if someone gives you a price without even seeing your mouth first. As the doctors at Pacific Northwest Periodontics will tell you, every procedure is unique to the person’s dental structure and issue. Dental implants are customized to fit your mouth, which means your price is quoted on a case-by-case basis after performing an oral exam.

Right now, you can receive a dental implant exam and consultation for $99 (normally a $590 value) at Pacific Northwest Periodontal.

 

 

Upfront Cost and Long Term Savings

When it comes to choosing between the other alternatives, another aspect to consider is the durability and duration of dental implants versus dentures and other methods. Besides the nuisance of having to constantly take dentures in and ouhyt to clean, they also last a maximum of 10 years before needing to be replaced according to dentists. Dental implants are a permanent teeth replacement solution meant to last upwards of 25 years. This means there are no repetitive costs involved after having your procedure done; making dental implants the best long term investment for your teeth replacement.

Although it may seem like a large upfront cost for a dental implant procedure, it can be affordable and will also save you more money in the future. In the meantime, there are an abundance of financing options available to aid in making the cost more bearable. At Pacific Northwest Periodontal, we work with special financing companies to help you receive your procedure when you need it, with zero percent interest available to those who qualify. We also are sure to get the most out of your insurance benefits so that your out of pocket expense is to a minimum.