Portland Dental Implant Restoration Whether you are missing one tooth, or many teeth, Dougherty Laybourn Menashe Dental can help restore your smile! If you are in need of a tooth replacement, we highly recommend dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically positioned below the gum tissue and into the jawbone. The implant acts as the root component of a tooth and is eventually attached to an abutment or support structure. The abutment links the titanium post to your restoration. Thanks to technological advancements in oral surgery, dental implants can be used to support a single crown, fixed bridge, or even a full denture. Single Tooth ImplantA single-tooth implant consists of an implant post, abutment, and dental crown. Even for a single tooth, the implant process can take anywhere from five months to over a year. During this time, the implant and jaw bone will permanently fuse together through the process of osseointegration. Once this process is complete, we will place the abutment and a healing collar to properly guide the gum tissue. In the meantime, you will be given a temporary crown to protect the abutment. You will wear the temporary crown for four to six weeks. The gum tissue will heal around it as if it were your natural tooth. During this time, we will fabricate your permanent crown using the strongest and most aesthetically-pleasing materials available. Temporary crowns are made of a softer material to cushion and protect the implant from the forces of chewing. Your permanent crown is created from an impression of your teeth, gums, and abutment. At your final appointment, Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Menashe, and Dr. Laybourn will cement the crown to the abutment. Your single-tooth implant can be treated exactly like your natural teeth. Implant-Supported Dental BridgeMuch like a traditional bridge, an implant-supported bridge fills the gap created by several missing teeth. However, an implant-supported bridge will not affect your surrounding teeth. In most cases, an implant will be placed for each missing tooth. When this is not possible, we can suspend a pontic tooth between two implants. The prosthetic teeth are literally “bridged” together to create one single piece. There are several types of implant-supported bridges. An implant-supported bridge can be permanently fixed with cement or with screws. In some cases, it can be directly attached to the implant screw, rather than the abutments. Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Menashe, and Dr. Laybourn will determine which is right for you. You will need to clean the area in between your bridge and gum tissue. Other than that, you can treat your bridge just like your natural teeth! Implant-Supported DentureWhen a patient is missing an entire arch of teeth, Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Menashe, and Dr. Laybourn may recommend an implant-supported denture over a traditional denture. A traditional denture sits on your gums, which can cause irritation and lead to embarrassing slips. With an implant-supported denture, you can eat, speak, and smile with confidence and comfort! Your implant-supported denture will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. There are several types of implant-supported dentures—from removable to fixed. The type of denture you receive depends on your circumstance. Talk with Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Menashe, and Dr. Laybourn to learn more about implant-supported dentures! Schedule a Consultation VisitIf you are around Portland, give us a call at 503-334-1141 to schedule your consultation visit today! |
 Phone503-334-1141 HoursMon - Thu: 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday: 8:00am - 12:00pm Saturday - Sunday: Closed |
