Services
Dental Implants

Dental implants in Seattle, Washington

Dr. Travelle is committed to saving teeth whenever possible. There are some instances, however, when a tooth cannot be repaired and must be removed. Dental implants offer an ideal replacement option for missing or badly decayed teeth because they look, feel, and act just like your natural tooth.

A dental implant is a single tooth replacement. Dental implants are often the only way to restore chewing function and esthetics when one or more teeth are missing. Dental implants can replace multiple missing teeth by supporting dental bridges or dentures.

With advances in materials and techniques, implant surgery healing time is shorter than ever. Please don’t hesitate to ask if dental implants are right for you. Dr. Travelle will be happy to answer any questions you may have about dental implants at your next visit.

Implant vs. Bridge - Which option is right for me?

When it comes to replacing your missing tooth, you may have a choice between a dental implant and a bridge. While both are excellent treatments, there are several factors that will play a role in determining which treatment is best for you. These factors include:

  • condition of neighboring teeth
  • the health of your gums
  • overall medical health
  • tobacco use
  • your personal preferences
 
 Dr. Travelle will carefully review these factors when recommending the ideal treatment for you.

Who are dental implants good for?

  • People who are embarrassed to smile because of a missing or damaged tooth that's noticeable
  • You have lost one or more teeth over time and it's difficult to chew certain foods
  • Your teeth are breaking down or falling apart
  • You have dentures that slide around making it difficult to eat
  • You worry about your dentures falling out in public

What are dental implants exactly?

Dental implants are simply artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent, fixed base for replacement teeth.

Dental implants are a popular alternative to dentures, bridges, and crowns because of their long-term effectiveness and how they feel, fit, and function like natural teeth.

An implant usually has three parts:

  1. The actual implant, which is a "screw" that serves as the "root" for your new teeth. It's carefully and permanently attached to your jaw bone to give you a strong support system for the new tooth.
  2. An abutment, which is a permanent, but removable (by your doctor) connector that supports and holds the tooth (or set of teeth)
  3. The crown - which is a prosthetic tooth. This is the part of the tooth that you can see when you smile. In most cases, it's made from porcelain or zirconium for fantastic durability and great looks.