Dental Implants near Seattle – Implant Dentistry from Mill Creek Dentist Bill Mulliken, DDS

For many years, there were two main methods to replace missing teeth – dentures and dental bridges. Now, there is a third option for tooth replacement – dental implants. Seattle-area implant dentist Bill Mulliken, DDS, can replace missing teeth with realistic synthetic restorations anchored directly into the bone, creating a false tooth that looks and feels identical to a natural one.

Dental implants from Mill Creek Dentistry afford you an exciting and effective opportunity to improve your quality of life. Even one missing tooth can cause embarrassment and compromise proper function. Patients who have lost all of their upper or lower teeth suffer from even more extensive problems.

Dental implants give all patients suffering from tooth loss a chance to start over! We can offer replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. This increases self-confidence, comfort, and peace of mind. If you are interested in replacing missing teeth, contact Mill Creek Dentistry near Seattle to find out if implant dentistry is right for you.

What are dental implants?
How do dental implants work?
What can be restored with implants?
What are the stages of implant dentistry?
What are the advantages of dental implants?

What are dental implants?

There are two basic elements that make up dental implants – the anchor and the crown. The anchor is a titanium screw that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. Bone will grow in around the anchor so that it will effectively replace the roots of your tooth. The crown is a natural-looking artificial tooth that is attached securely to this anchor.

When you come to our office near Seattle for implant dentistry, Dr. Bill Mulliken will consult with a periodontist to achieve optimal function and aesthetics with the dental implant restoration. He will then have the anchor surgically implanted, and, after bone and gums have grown in around it, he will attach the crown to the dental implants at his office in Mill Creek. The resulting artificial tooth is so lifelike that you may even forget it's an implant.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are essentially titanium tooth roots that fuse with the jawbone to form a secure foundation for tooth replacement. The new teeth attach to this foundation, providing the comfort, versatility, and functionality of natural teeth.

What can be restored with implants?

Implant dentistry is an option for anyone with missing teeth, though different needs create different challenges:

Full Upper or Lower Replacement

The problems associated with living with a full denture extend beyond tooth loss alone. They include discomfort, inability to chew foods, and negative self-image. Dental implants provide stable functionality without the need for denture adhesives.

Anterior or Posterior Replacement

Missing front or back teeth both have unique demands. Dr. Mulliken's challenge as an implant dentist is to replace your missing teeth and avoid harming your remaining teeth and gum tissue, all while achieving optimum appearance and functionality.

Single Tooth Replacement

Single tooth replacement shares the challenges of anterior and posterior replacement. Aside from placing the dental implants, the proper maintenance of the surrounding healthy teeth is also of the utmost importance.

What are the stages of implant dentistry?

The placement of dental implants is a multi-step process that begins at our office in Mill Creek, near Seattle. After a consultation with implant dentist Bill Mulliken, your implant dentistry treatment will proceed in three stages:

Stage One: The titanium dental implants are placed under the gum.

The dental implants will remain covered underneath the gum for approximately three to six months. During this time, the dental implants fuse to the bone.

Stage Two: The final post is then attached to the implant.

This completes the foundation on which your new teeth will be placed. In some instances, the surgeon or implant dentist may place the posts at the time of surgery.

Stage Three: The crown is placed on the root, completing your implant restoration.

Utilizing cosmetic dentistry techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color, and fit, your replacement teeth should blend with your existing teeth and your facial characteristics. They provide the support and structure needed to achieve a beautifully natural appearance.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Appearance: Besides functionality, dental implants have the added advantage of looking just like natural teeth. We are able to offer patients who visit our Seattle-area office the most natural appearance possible by combining implant dentistry and cosmetic dentistry techniques.

Confidence: The ideal replacements for missing teeth must also feel like natural teeth and be easy to clean and maintain. It is important for you to be assured that your teeth will remain stable and supportive while eating, allow you to speak properly and easily, and eliminate the bulkiness and discomfort associated with traditional dentures.

Security: The long-term safety of replacing your lost teeth with dental implants at our Mill Creek office is well established. Patients who choose to wear traditional dentures often suffer from bone loss and disintegration of facial structure, which can also result in the loss of otherwise healthy teeth. Implant dentistry solves all of the problems associated with tooth loss, maintaining bone and facial structure while providing beautiful, comfortable, durable, natural-looking teeth.

If you are interested in dental implants and live in the Bellevue, Redmond, Snohomish, or Everett areas near Seattle, contact Mill Creek Dentistry today. Our implant dentist, Dr. Bill Mulliken, would love to show you how implant dentistry can truly change your life!