Implants

Implants are the best solution to replace missing teeth.

Implants replace the root structure of missing teeth.  They are used in a variety of ways to restore your mouth back to health and function.  The most common type of implant replaces a single missing tooth.  This involves placing the Implant into the area where a tooth was lost.  After a 4-6 month healing period a crown is attached to the implant.  The crown looks and functions just like a real tooth!  Unlike other options for replacing missing teeth, such as a bridge, Implants allow you to floss between your teeth and they do not damage the adjacent teeth.  

Dr. Daren Hunt has taken over 500+ hours in additional training on placing dental implants.  This allows us to complete the entire Implant process in our office.  No need to travel to Eugene to see an oral surgeon.

Implants can also be used to help retain and stabilize dentures.  Many people have difficulties with loose or ill fitting dentures.  Implants placed into the upper or lower jaw stabilize the denture and prevent it from moving or falling out.  This eliminates the need for denture adhesive or glue.  After receiving dental implants many denture wearers report being able to chew 6 times better than before.  We have several patients who are able to chew steak and corn on the cob with their implant retained dentures.

Are Implants painful?   

No! Most people in our office report less pain from a dental implant than from a simple tooth extraction.  The initial procedure of placing the implant usually takes about 1 hour for a single Implant.  You will feel some vibrations during the procedure but you will not feel any pain.  Most people do not require any sedation.  It is a very comfortable procedure with just local anesthetic (Novocaine).

Are Implants expensive? 

No! Because we are able to complete Implants from start to finish in our office without the need to see a specialist we are able to keep our prices lower than many other clinics.  Not replacing a missing tooth can be far more expensive.  If a tooth is not replaced other teeth with shift causing your bite to become off.  This can often require orthodontics or braces to correct.  Not replacing a missing tooth also leads to more stress on remaining teeth which can cause them to crack and break.  This can lead to a chain reaction resulting in an extremely limited chewing ability.  The best time to have a dental implant placed is 4 months to 1 year after the tooth is lost.  If you wait longer than this the jaw bone where the tooth was located will begin to resorb.  This may make placing the dental implant more difficult and require additional procedures such as bone grafting.

Implant case example from our office:

Tooth #19 was extracted due to a root fracture.

An Implant was placed into the bone where the tooth once was and allowed to heal.

The Crown is attached to the Implant and is fully functional.  This patient now has a fully restored tooth that chews and flosses just like a real tooth.