Dental Implants – Hillsboro, OR

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your consultation, our team at Wolfe Dental Hillsboro will conduct an oral examination and review your medical history to determine whether or not you’re a candidate for dental implants in Hillsboro. If you have any underlying issues, we’ll recommend the appropriate treatments to get your oral health on the right track. Some common preliminary procedures include periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting. Once your mouth is ready for dental implants, we’ll move forward with the process and plan the rest of your treatment.

Dental Implant Surgery

Believe it or not, dental implant surgery is a fairly simple procedure. First, we’ll numb your mouth with a local anesthetic and administer sedation if needed. We’ll make an incision in the gum tissue to access the jawbone and insert the dental implants. Each post is inserted at a precise location and angle using advanced technology and techniques. After your gums are sutured shut, we’ll place a protective cap over the posts to protect them throughout your recovery.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Osseointegration is a natural biological process that allows the implants to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. It’s a crucial part of your recovery, taking about three to six months to complete. Once you’re all healed up, you’ll return to the office for a second smaller surgery to receive your abutments. They’re the metal connector pieces placed on top of your implants, serving as an anchor for your final restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture).

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

While you heal, a trusted dental laboratory will create your final restorations using impressions of your natural smile. Each crown, bridge, or denture will be crafted from materials that mimic the tooth enamel. Once your new teeth are attached to your abutments, you’ll be ready to make the most out of your complete, fully functioning grin!

Day-to-Day Benefits

We use our teeth every day to eat, speak, and smile. Because of that, it only makes sense that you’d want something that will allow you to live your day-to-day life to the fullest. Fortunately, dental implants in Hillsboro offer multiple advantages, including:

• Natural-looking & feeling – Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that repairs the part of your missing tooth that lies below the gum.
• Enhanced chewing ability – Due to osseointegration, dental implants provide you with a stronger and more stable bite because you won’t have to worry about your new teeth slipping.
• Easier to speak – Just like with chewing, you won’t have to worry about your prosthetics moving in your mouth, causing you to slur your words.

Health Benefits

Aside from improving your daily quality of life, you can enjoy several health benefits, such as:

• No damage to your surrounding teeth – Unlike traditional procedures, like the placement of a bridge, dental implants don’t require the alteration of your surrounding healthy teeth in order to support a restoration.
• Jawbone & facial structure preservation – Since your dental implants are fused with your jawbone, they’re able to provide it with regular stimulation like the roots of your teeth did. This prevents your jawbone from deteriorating and causing your cheeks to appear sunken-in or droopy.
• Improved overall health – Studies show a correlation between tooth loss and an increased risk of multiple diseases. Because dental implants are so similar to natural teeth, it’s reasonable to assume that they can help lower such risks.

Long-Term Benefits

By getting dental implants right now, it can help you out for years to come with the following benefits:

• 98% success rate – Dental implants are a highly successful procedure, especially when you visit a professional who uses the latest technology to conduct the treatment.
• 35+ year lifespan – As long as you keep up with the health of your mouth, you can enjoy your implant-retained restorations for decades to come.
• Youthful appearance – Since implants stimulate blood flow in the jawbone, they prevent its deterioration and the sunken, aged look that often comes with tooth loss.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

To learn whether dental implants are the right treatment for you, you’ll need to contact us to schedule a consultation with your dental implant dentist in Hillsboro, Dr. Wolfe. During this appointment, our team will take X-rays of your mouth and conduct a visual examination of your teeth and gums. While we’re doing this, we’ll be keeping an eye out for some key factors that could influence how you heal after the dental implant placement and whether you have risk factors for implant failure. Generally speaking, good candidates for dental implants:

• Are in fair overall health
• Are free of gum disease and other serious oral health problems
• Have adequate bone density to support dental implants
• Stick to good oral hygiene habits

Even if you aren’t a great candidate right away, it may just take some time and a few preparatory procedures to get you there. Most adults can take advantage of dental implants!

Missing 1 Tooth

If you’re missing a single tooth, we can replace it by surgically inserting an implant into your jawbone. Once you’ve undergone the process of osseointegration and healed from the procedure, we’ll attach an abutment and a personalized dental crown to the implant to complete your smile.

This type of tooth replacement is superior to a traditional bridge in several ways. For example, it does not usually require that the nearby teeth be modified or extracted. It also replaces the lost tooth from the root up, rather than simply replacing its top portion. It therefore feels and looks as natural as possible.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you’re missing three or more teeth in a row, instead of having to alter your surrounding teeth to place a traditional bridge, we can simply anchor it to two dental implants. Each implant will be surgically inserted at either end of the gap in your smile to secure the dental bridge in place.

If you are missing teeth at multiple places throughout a dental arch, we will explore other treatment options. You might qualify for a partial denture. It is also possible that we will recommend multiple single-implant prosthetics to complete your smile.

Missing All Teeth

If you’re missing all teeth in an arch, we can provide enough support for a full denture by placing only four to eight implants in strategic positions throughout the jaw. Implant dentures address most of the problems that come with regular dentures; these prosthetics will stay in place, have an easy daily care routine, and let you chew whatever foods you want. There are multiple types of implant dentures, including ones that are removable as well as those that are permanently fixed. During your consultation, Dr. Wolfe will help you determine which sort is right for you.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Some patients require preliminary treatments, such as gum disease therapy, a bone graft, or tooth extractions before they can receive dental implants in Hillsboro. Each of these procedures has its own cost.

The implant surgery itself incurs a separate fee. Since Dr. Wolfe performs this procedure right here in our office, we can discuss its cost with you right from the beginning of your treatment. You will not need to worry about dealing with the pricing structure of an outside specialist.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Not all dental implant treatments are the same. The number of implants you receive, the manufacturer that sells them, the materials involved in creating your restoration, the size of your implants, and other factors will all have a bearing on your total cost. Dr. Wolfe and our team strive to use only the highest-quality products for our patients. Feel free to ask us where your implants are coming from — we will be happy to answer your questions.

How Dental Implants Pay for Themselves

Although the cost of dental implants in Hillsboro is higher than that of other treatments, they offer an excellent value. They tend to last for decades, whereas other types of tooth replacement, such as dentures, need to be replaced every five to seven years. Plus, dental implants offer health benefits that can save you money. For example, they are less likely to cause gum sores than traditional dentures. They can therefore spare you from having to pay for treatment for various oral issues down the road.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance plans vary greatly in their approach to implants. Some classify them as a major procedure, meaning they cover 50% of the cost, up to the amount of a plan’s annual maximum. Others categorize implants as an elective treatment and offer no coverage at all. Our team will help you navigate your policy and file all necessary claims. We are even in-network with several major insurance companies, so you can trust us to maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

As your implant dentist in Hillsboro, we want you to be able to afford your new smile. That is why we offer:

• Low-interest and no-interest financing through CareCredit
• Wolfe Dental Hillsboro membership plan for discounts on most services
• A convenient online payment portal

Would you like to learn more about dental implants and their cost? Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping you through your entire treatment journey, including its financial aspects.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implants can’t get cavities themselves, but you still need to practice excellent oral hygiene. In addition to keeping your surrounding teeth in good shape, sticking to a great dental hygiene routine can prevent other dental problems, like gum disease, that can cause your implants to fail. Remember to brush, floss, and rinse with a mouthwash each day.

Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the numerous benefits you can experience from dental implants is that you don’t have any eating restrictions. You can easily enjoy a nutritious meal without struggling to chew. Just remember that having too many items that are hard, sticky, or sugary, can be problematic. Remember to eat foods with plenty of calcium and vitamin C to keep your jawbone and gums in good health.

Break Bad Habits

Bad habits can cause your dental implants to fail over time. Refrain from smoking or using tobacco products immediately after your procedure, as they can slow down healing and increase your risk of developing an infection. Don’t use your teeth as tools either. You could accidentally end up damaging your dental implant or a surrounding tooth. Instead, find scissors or another tool that can help you complete your task safely.

Protect Your Dental Implants

As strong as your dental implants are, they aren’t indestructible. Always wear a mouthguard to protect your dental implants and natural teeth when participating in sports. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a nightguard to protect your implants from additional wear and tear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

You should always attend your regular cleanings and checkups every six months. This way, we can monitor your dental implants and spot any issues as early as possible. By catching potential problems now, you can prevent them from becoming more serious and leading to greater consequences, like a failed dental implant.

3D Cone Beam Imaging or Scanning

Technology comes into play even before we start dental implant treatment. We begin by taking 3D images using a cone beam scanner. The device takes many, many images and compiles them together to create a clear model of your oral cavity. Unlike traditional X-rays, cone beam imaging captures blood vessels, jaw bone, and other important structures. Knowing all this information, Dr. Wolfe can plan ahead and avoid complications that would prolong the healing process.

Antibacterial Coating

As with other surgical procedures, there’s a certain risk of infection when you get implants. After all, the placement procedure exposes the jawbone and gum tissue during surgery. However, our implants come with an antibacterial coating, reducing the chances of complications from periimplantitis, which causes implant failure, as well as other infections. By having this coating, your implants can provide a clean, sanitary surface for the jawbone and gums to attach to.

iTero Digital Impression System

When the implants have become embedded in the jawbone, it’s time to take impressions of your upper and lower arches to create your restorations. Even if you need only a single crown, these impressions are essential so that your replacement teeth fit your mouth perfectly. Old impressions were collected using a putty-like substance, which was often uncomfortable for patients. This method also sometimes resulted in restorations that had to be adjusted because of inaccuracies. Using a small handheld device, we can digitally scan your mouth and get the precise measurements the dental lab requires for custom restorations that look and feel completely natural.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

A blood clot will form around the surgical site after your surgery. During the initial recovery period, you need to leave this blood clot untouched. If it’s dislodged, it can cause a dry socket that will extend the healing process. To protect your blood clot, follow these tips:

• Avoid spitting. Use tissues or swallow if you need to get rid of saliva.
• Do not use straws. Drink all beverages directly from the cup.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products after your surgery.
• Make a conscious effort not to touch the surgical site(s) with your fingers or tongue.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

For the first few days after dental implant placement, it’s normal to experience intermittent bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort. You can keep these symptoms under control by:

• Applying pressure to any bleeding areas with a piece of gauze.
• Using a cold compress to reduce your swelling.
• Taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medication as directed.

These symptoms should gradually fade on their own as your mouth recovers. Call us if they last longer than they should or seem to be growing worse.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

While your mouth is healing, you don’t want to eat anything particularly hard, crunchy, or sticky. Instead, stick to softer foods that don’t require extensive chewing. Mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and pasta are all staples of a healthy soft-food diet. You can have soup as well, but don’t eat it while it’s too hot.

Even when you return to a normal diet, you’ll want to go easy on your implant posts until they’ve been restored. Try to limit your exposure to crunchy or tough foods, and chew away from the implant site(s).

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

You don’t want to develop an infection while your mouth is healing, so it’s essential to continue practicing excellent oral hygiene during your recovery. While brushing, exercise caution around your implants. You may want to make a habit of rinsing with salt water at least twice a day; this helps eliminate harmful bacteria that you might not have caught with brushing alone.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached  

Recovering from dental implant surgery means you’ve gotten past the hard part. When your new restoration is attached to your dental implants, there’s no lengthy recovery to worry about. You might experience some sensitivity, but it will go away on its own over time, and you can control it with pain medication.