
Jan
A missing tooth can cause problems in your life. First, your smile is affected, and no one likes having a gap in their smile. Second, your ability to chew your food and speak clearly might be impacted. However, missing teeth can also cause other problems, such as bone loss in the jaw and an increased risk of tooth decay or gum disease. Fortunately, Dr. Brad Sievert at Westlake Family Dentistry has the perfect solution for your missing tooth dilemma: long-lasting dental implants.
Dr. Sievert’s expertise in advanced dental procedures makes him an excellent guide in helping you choose the right solution to replace your missing teeth. He may recommend dental implants because they can transform your quality of life and oral health.
Patients who live an active lifestyle will enjoy how much more stable dental implants feel than dentures. Also, with implants, there are no maintenance hassles to deal with. Most importantly, dental implants support jawbone health while preventing a sunken facial appearance that happens with bone loss.
Dental implants are made using materials that don’t decay, including titanium and porcelain. The implant post is made with durable titanium, which can fuse naturally with the jawbone. The small abutment is made of metal, and the crown that shows above the gumline is crafted from porcelain. Porcelain looks very similar to dental enamel, so it’s the perfect fit for a natural-looking tooth replacement.
Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants give you an incredibly stable tooth replacement that doesn’t slip or slide. In fact, dental implants function identically to your natural teeth. The benefits dental implants provide include the following:
At your initial consultation with Dr. Sievert, you’ll learn whether or not you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Once he has determined that you are, you’ll be scheduled for the surgical placement of the titanium post. The post takes a few months to heal and fuse with the jawbone. Once the healing process is finished, your abutment and crown will be placed.Â
When the jawbone isn’t stimulated by the root of a tooth, it starts to deteriorate. Dental implants play the same role as a tooth root in jawbone stimulation so that you can retain your natural facial shape without bone loss. This can help you avoid the sunken look that happens over time.Â
Dental implants will last a lifetime with proper care. Since they’re made with materials that don’t decay, you never have to worry about getting a cavity in your prosthetic tooth. Continue practicing good oral hygiene at home, and be sure to visit Dr. Sievert every six months for checkups.Â
In Lake Oswego, Oregon, Dr. Brad Sievert and the team at Westlake Family Dentistry can go over all of your options for replacing missing teeth. From dental implants to bridges and dentures, Dr. Sievert is here to guide you along the journey to restoring your smile. Call (503) 636-4576 today to schedule your consultation.Â
Dr. Brad Sievert holds a zoology degree from Oregon State University and a DMD from Oregon Health Sciences University. He is passionate about continuing education and regularly attends cosmetic, complex restorative, dental sleep medicine, Invisalign, and implant dentistry courses. He has had post-doctoral training at the prestigious KOIS Center in Seattle and the Los Angeles Institute of Clinical Dentistry. Dr. Sievert is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is also certified in laser dentistry and as a Healthy Start Provider.