Dental Implants in Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood

Losing a tooth, be it a single or multiple, can be distressing. The impact on your oral health can be devastating, affecting how you eat, speak, and look. At Ko Dental, we understand this distress, and many of our patients choose dental implants to restore missing teeth and improve their oral health permanently.

What are Dental Implants

Dental implants are posts or screws placed in the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth and support dental restorations that replace the visible portion of missing teeth. The implants are usually made of titanium or ceramic and are attached to a dental crown or prosthetic by an abutment (a small fastener) that joins the two.

Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, where the biocompatible material fuses over several months. This artificial tooth root becomes a part of the jawbone, providing a stable base for the restoration that will be attached. The implant prevents the deterioration of the jawbone, a natural consequence of missing teeth, and prevents the shifting of any remaining teeth.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

There are numerous advantages to dental implants. In addition to restoring a complete smile, dental implants offer many benefits, including:

• The implants stimulate bone growth so that the jaw doesn’t deteriorate.
• You do not develop the sunken facial appearance common to individuals with missing teeth.
• Dental implants are permanent and easy to care for by brushing and flossing, just like natural teeth.
• You can eat any of the foods you like with dental implants.
• Unlike dentures and bridges, dental implant restorations do not slip, shift, or pinch.
• Dental implants are permanent and can last for decades. For many patients, they last a lifetime.
• Dental implants do not stain or develop cavities.

The Dental Implant Process

Dr. Ko surgically places dental implants in the jawbone. The number and type of implant are determined at your initial consultation. Depending on the number of implants needed, the procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours. A more detailed surgery outline can be found on our Implant Placement page.

Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant—the bone bonds with the titanium or ceramic, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is placed on the implant, and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on the abutment. A temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the dental implant immediately after placing it. If all your teeth are missing, various treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.

Types of Dental Implants We Offer

Ko Dental offers single and multiple dental implants to our missing patients. A dental implant and crown is the best solution if you are missing a tooth. If you are missing more than one tooth, options include:

• Multiple Single Implants: We can replace each missing tooth with an individual implant and corresponding crown. This is only viable if you have sufficient jawbone to support multiple implants.
• Implant-Supported Overdentures: These are modified dentures that snap onto a bar or posts attached to a few implants in the jawbone. The implants provide stability to removable dentures that are lighter and more comfortable than conventional dentures.
• Full–Arch Dental Implants: A full arch of replacement teeth can be attached permanently to between four and eight implants strategically placed in the jawbone. This is an excellent option for individuals with some jawbone deterioration.

Why Choose Ko Dental for Dental Implants?

At Ko Dental, you are in the hands of experts. Dr. Ko is a prosthodontist with additional years of training in advanced restorative and surgical techniques focused on implant-supported dental restoration procedures. Dr. Ko’s residency at a program in Prosthodontics at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, cemented his interest in full-mouth, complex dental rehabilitation.

Our dental care staff’s experience and compassion enhance our doctors’ expertise and knowledge. If you are considering dental implants, Ko Dental can transform your smile and restore your dental health with kindness and respect. To schedule a consultation, contact our office at Seattle Office Phone Number 206-624-7706.

We look forward to answering all your dental implant questions!