
Feb
Getting implants is one of the best ways to counter the devastating effects of tooth loss. Whether you’ve lost one tooth or many, your Spokane, Washington, implant dentist, Dr. Richard D. Weigand, can make your smile whole again with implants. The answers to these questions about implants can help you decide if they’re a good choice for you.
When you lose a tooth, you also lose the tooth roots that hold it in place. Implants are titanium posts that dentists use to replace lost tooth roots. These posts are surgically embedded in your jaw and left to integrate with your jawbone system, which can take months to complete. Afterward, Dr. Weigand will anchor your replacement teeth to the implants to complete your smile.
Implants can be used to replace any missing tooth, including lost molars. Implants are great for replacing molars as they mimic the strength and stability of real teeth for biting and chewing. Your molars are used primarily for grinding food, so you’ll need strong restorations for optimal tooth functionality. Implants restore full chewing power, allowing you to eat with renewed confidence and ease.
Dr. Weigand recommends single implants, using dental crowns as restorations, to replace one or two teeth. We can replace multiple missing teeth with a fixed implant bridge or all of your teeth with implant dentures to give you a strong, healthy smile again.
The main requirements for implant surgery are good general health and adequate jawbone density to support your implants. Dr. Weigand can remedy the latter with a bone graft if necessary. Some chronic conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, could make you unsuitable for implant treatment. Smokers also make poor implant candidates, as smoking can impair proper healing and lead to implant failure. Before recommending this restorative treatment, we’ll evaluate your overall health, jawbone health, and lifestyle habits.
Implant teeth are permanent restorations that are brushed and flossed, just like natural teeth. Good oral hygiene, coupled with regular visits to our dental hygienist for professional cleanings, will keep your implants going strong for years. We also suggest you minimize your intake of sugary foods and drinks to prevent decay and gum disease from forming under your implants or in surrounding natural teeth.
With good oral hygiene and care, titanium implants can last a lifetime. When combined with quality crowns, bridges, or dentures, implants help you regain the strong, healthy, attractive smile you lost when your natural teeth went missing.
Dr. Richard Weigand is your go-to dentist for implants in the Spokane, WA area. To schedule a consultation for implant surgery, contact us today at (509) 485-8620.
Dr. Richard Weigand is a highly respected dentist with over 40 years of experience. He is recognized for his cosmetic and general dentistry expertise. A Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI), Dr. Weigand has had advanced training from the Las Vegas Institute and Spear Center for advanced dental studies. Dr. Weigand has been voted “Best Dentist” and “Best Cosmetic Dentist” for many years in Spokane, Washington. He volunteers with the Give Back a Smile program which serves victims of domestic abuse. His commitment to innovation and patient care makes him a trusted expert.