Dental Implants in Burien, WA

Dental Implants: A Complete Tooth Replacement Solution

Dental implants differ fundamentally from other tooth replacement options because they replace the entire tooth structure – both the visible crown and the root beneath the gum line. A complete dental implant consists of three components working together: the implant body (a titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root), the abutment (a connector piece that attaches to the implant), and the crown (the visible artificial tooth that matches your natural teeth).

The implant body is surgically placed into your jawbone at the implant site where your natural tooth root once existed. Titanium’s unique biocompatibility allows bone to grow directly onto the implant surface in a process called osseointegration. This fusion between implant and bone creates the remarkable stability that allows dental implants to function like natural tooth roots, withstanding the significant forces of chewing and maintaining jawbone health in ways that other tooth replacement options cannot achieve.

Once the implant has integrated with your bone – a healing process typically taking 3-6 months – the abutment is attached to the implant body, and finally, your custom crown is secured to the abutment. The result is a permanent, stable tooth replacement that requires no adhesives, doesn’t slip or shift when you eat or speak, and maintains the bone structure that supports your facial features and surrounding teeth.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults with missing teeth can benefit from dental implants, but the best candidates have:

Good Overall Health and Adequate Bone Density: The surgical procedure of implant placement requires sufficient bone to support the implant body. During your consultation, Dr. Andy Kim will evaluate your bone structure and may recommend additional procedures if needed to ensure successful implant placement. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, active cancer treatment, or certain autoimmune disorders may affect candidacy, though many patients with these conditions can still receive implants with appropriate medical management and precautions.

Healthy Gums Free from Gum Disease: Periodontal issues must be addressed before dental implant surgery because active gum disease creates an environment where implant failure becomes more likely. If gum disease is present, we’ll provide treatment to restore gum health first, creating the optimal environment for healing and integration. Healthy gum tissue around the implant is essential for long-term success, just as healthy gums support natural teeth.

Commitment to Excellent Oral Hygiene: While implants themselves can’t develop cavities like natural teeth, the tissues around the implant require proper care to prevent complications. A condition called peri-implantitis – essentially gum disease affecting implant sites – can occur if oral hygiene is inadequate. Regular brushing, flossing around implants, and professional cleanings ensure your implants remain healthy for years to come. Patients who struggle with oral hygiene may not be ideal candidates unless they’re willing to significantly improve their home care habits.

Non-Smokers or Willingness to Quit: Smoking significantly increases implant failure risk by interfering with bone healing and reducing blood flow to tissues. The chemicals in tobacco smoke impair your body’s ability to integrate the implant with bone, and smokers experience higher rates of both initial implant failure and long-term complications. Dr. Kim strongly recommends quitting smoking before implant treatment, ideally several weeks before surgery and throughout the healing period. Many patients find that the motivation of achieving successful implant treatment provides the impetus they needed to quit smoking permanently.

Adequate Bone Volume: Successful dental implant placement requires sufficient bone height, width, and density at the implant site. Patients who’ve been missing teeth for extended periods may have experienced significant bone loss that requires bone grafting before implants can be placed. Dr. Kim evaluates bone volume using advanced imaging during your consultation and discusses whether bone grafting procedures would benefit your case. While bone grafts add time and expense to treatment, they make implant success possible for patients who would otherwise lack adequate bone structure.

The Implant Process at Burien Signature Dentistry

Initial Consultation and Planning

Your implant journey begins with a comprehensive examination where Dr. Andy Kim evaluates your oral health, discusses your goals, and creates a personalized treatment plan. We use advanced imaging technology to assess bone density and plan precise implant placement for optimal results.

During this visit, we’ll discuss timeline expectations, financing options including Cherry financing, and answer all your questions about the procedure. Our goal is to ensure you feel completely informed and comfortable before moving forward.

This planning phase is crucial for dental implant success. Dr. Kim examines your remaining teeth, gums, and overall oral health. He takes detailed X-rays or 3D scans that reveal bone structure, nerve locations, and sinus positions – all factors that influence implant placement. He considers how the planned implant will align with your bite, match adjacent teeth, and function with opposing teeth. This thorough evaluation ensures that your treatment plan addresses not just the missing tooth itself but how the implant integrates into your complete oral system.

You’ll discuss your goals and concerns openly during consultation. Perhaps you’re most worried about pain during the surgical procedure, or maybe cost considerations are paramount. Maybe you’re anxious about the timeline or worried about taking time off work. Dr. Kim addresses all these concerns, ensuring you understand what to expect and feel confident proceeding with treatment. No question is too small or concern too trivial – this is your opportunity to get complete information before making treatment decisions.

Bone Grafting When Necessary

If evaluation reveals insufficient bone volume at the implant site, bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement. This additional procedure adds time to your treatment timeline but dramatically improves implant success rates by creating the solid foundation implants need.

Bone grafting involves placing bone material (either from your own body, a donor source, or synthetic material) at the site where bone volume is inadequate. This graft material provides a scaffold that your body uses to generate new bone. The healing process for bone grafts typically takes 3-6 months before the site is ready for implant placement.

While bone grafting extends your treatment timeline, it makes implant success possible for patients who would otherwise lack the bone structure needed for stable implant placement. Dr. Kim discusses whether bone grafting is necessary during your consultation, explaining the process, timeline, and how it affects your overall treatment plan.

Dental Implant Surgery and Placement

The surgical placement of your implant is performed using sedation dentistry options to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Dr. Andy Kim carefully places the titanium implant into the jawbone, where it will integrate over the next several months.

Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the dental implant procedure is and return to normal activities within a few days. We provide detailed post-operative instructions and are always available for any concerns during your recovery.

The minor oral surgery required for implant placement is typically performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation for patients who prefer deeper relaxation during the procedure. Dr. Kim makes a small incision in the gum tissue at the implant site, creates a precise channel in the bone using specialized instruments, and places the implant body into this prepared site. The implant is positioned at the exact depth and angle planned during your consultation to ensure optimal function and aesthetics.

For some patients, a healing abutment is placed at the time of surgery, allowing gum tissue to heal in the proper contour around the implant. Other cases use a different approach where the implant is covered by gum tissue during initial healing, with the abutment placed during a brief second minor procedure after osseointegration is complete. Dr. Kim determines which approach best suits your situation based on factors like implant location, bone quality, and aesthetic considerations.

Healing and Integration

The integration period, typically 3-6 months, allows the implant to fuse with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. During this time, you may have a temporary restoration to maintain your smile’s appearance.

This healing period is crucial for long-term dental implant success. Your body gradually grows bone directly onto the titanium implant surface, creating the solid foundation that allows implants to function like natural tooth roots. The timeline varies based on factors like bone quality, implant location, whether bone grafting was needed, and your body’s individual healing response.

During bone healing, you’ll continue with normal activities while being mindful not to place excessive force on the healing implant site. If your missing tooth is visible when you smile, temporary solutions maintain your appearance during this integration period. Dr. Kim monitors your healing progress and determines when osseointegration is sufficiently complete for the final restoration phase.

Final Restoration

Once integration is complete, we attach your custom crown, bridge, or denture to the implant. These final restorations are crafted to match your natural teeth perfectly and provide years of reliable service.

The restoration process begins with taking impressions or digital scans of your mouth, including the position of your integrated implant. These impressions are sent to a trusted dental lab where skilled technicians craft your custom restoration. The crown, bridge, or denture is designed to match your surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size while ensuring proper function with your bite.

When your restoration is complete, Dr. Kim verifies the fit, function, and appearance before final attachment. For single crowns, the restoration typically screws directly into the implant abutment or is cemented onto it, depending on the specific system used. The result is a tooth that looks completely natural, feels stable and comfortable, and allows you to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence.

Types of Dental Implants

Single Tooth Implants

Replace individual missing teeth without affecting adjacent healthy teeth. This is often the preferred treatment when you have one or a few missing teeth scattered throughout your mouth.

Unlike traditional bridges that require grinding down healthy teeth adjacent to the gap to serve as bridge supports, single tooth implants stand independently. This preservation of healthy tooth structure represents a significant advantage – your natural teeth remain intact and unaltered. Single implants also maintain bone at the specific site where the tooth was lost, preventing the localized bone loss that occurs with bridges.

Implant-Supported Bridges

When you’re missing several adjacent teeth or multiple teeth in the same area, an implant-supported bridge can replace multiple teeth using fewer implants than individual replacements would require. Typically, two implants can support a bridge replacing three or four teeth, making this approach more cost-effective than placing individual implants for each missing tooth.

Implant-supported bridges offer significant advantages over traditional bridges that rely on natural teeth for support. There’s no need to alter healthy teeth, and the implants stimulate bone throughout the area of missing teeth rather than just at the pontic sites. The stability of implant support means your bridge won’t shift or move, and you can eat without the restrictions that sometimes accompany traditional bridges.

Full Mouth Restoration

For patients missing most or all teeth, implant-supported full mouth restorations provide a stable, permanent alternative to traditional partial or full dentures. This comprehensive approach can transform your entire smile in a way that looks and functions like natural teeth.

Several techniques exist for full-mouth implant restoration. Some patients receive individual implants for each tooth – a comprehensive solution that provides maximum stability but represents a significant investment. Others choose implant-supported dentures, where a smaller number of strategically placed implants support a full arch of replacement teeth. This approach dramatically reduces the cost compared to individual implants while still providing the stability and bone preservation benefits that implants offer.

One popular option is the All-on-4 or All-on-6 technique, where four to six implants per arch support a complete set of fixed replacement teeth. This approach often allows immediate placement of temporary teeth on the day of implant surgery, meaning you leave with functional teeth rather than going without teeth during the healing period. Our full mouth restoration treatments often incorporate implants as the foundation for complete smile transformations that address both function and aesthetics.

Implant Failure and How to Prevent It

While dental implants have a high success rate, understanding factors that can lead to implant failure helps you make informed decisions and take steps to maximize success. Early implant failure – occurring during the initial healing period – usually results from inadequate osseointegration. The implant fails to integrate properly with bone, remaining loose rather than becoming stable.

Late implant failure occurs after successful initial integration and typically results from peri-implantitis, a condition similar to gum disease that affects tissues around the implant. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and excessive force on the implant can all contribute to late failure.

Preventing implant failure involves several strategies: maintaining excellent oral hygiene around implants, avoiding smoking both during healing and long-term, managing health conditions like diabetes effectively, attending regular dental checkups where Dr. Kim monitors implant health, wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth to protect implants from excessive force, and following all post-operative instructions carefully during the critical healing period.

The vast majority of implants succeed when patients follow recommended care guidelines and maintain regular professional monitoring. Dr. Kim’s careful treatment planning, precise surgical technique, and comprehensive follow-up care further enhance your success prospects.

Cost and Financing Options

While the initial investment in dental implants may seem significant, their durability and longevity make them cost-effective over time. Unlike other tooth replacement options that require regular adjustments, repairs, or replacements, implants typically provide decades of service with minimal maintenance.

We accept most major PPO insurance plans, and many dental insurance policies provide partial coverage for implant treatments. Our team will work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits and provide accurate cost estimates before treatment begins.

Cherry financing offers flexible payment options with promotional interest rates, allowing you to begin treatment immediately and spread costs over time. We’ll help you explore all available options to make implant treatment accessible and affordable.

The cost of dental implants varies based on factors like how many teeth need replacement, whether bone grafting is necessary, which type of restoration you choose, and your specific clinical situation. During your consultation, Dr. Kim provides a detailed treatment plan with transparent cost information, ensuring you understand the financial commitment before proceeding.

Consider that traditional bridges typically need replacement every 10-15 years, and dentures require periodic relining and eventual replacement as your bone structure changes. When you calculate the lifetime cost of these alternatives including replacements and adjustments, implants often represent comparable or even lower total cost while providing superior function, comfort, and bone preservation.

Why Choose Burien Signature Dentistry for Your Dental Implants

Dr. Andy Kim brings years of experience and advanced training in implant dentistry to every case. His commitment to staying current with the latest techniques and technologies ensures you receive the most effective, comfortable treatment possible.

Our practice focuses on creating a welcoming, stress-free environment where patients feel heard and cared for throughout their implant journey. From your initial consultation through your final restoration, we’re dedicated to exceptional results and outstanding patient experiences.

We use only high-quality materials and proven techniques, backing our work with ongoing support and comprehensive aftercare. Your success with implant treatment is our primary goal, and we’ll work tirelessly to ensure you achieve the results you deserve.

Located conveniently in Burien, we serve patients throughout the greater Seattle area who are seeking expert implant care in a comfortable, modern setting. The combination of Dr. Kim’s clinical expertise, advanced technology, and genuine care for each patient creates an experience that makes you feel confident in your choice of implant provider.

The difference between adequate implant treatment and exceptional implant care comes down to details – precise surgical planning, careful implant placement, meticulous attention to aesthetics during restoration design, and comprehensive follow-up care that ensures long-term success. Dr. Kim’s thorough approach to these details, combined with his genuine investment in each patient’s outcomes, consistently produces results that exceed expectations.

Perhaps most importantly, the team at Burien Signature Dentistry treats you like family throughout your implant journey. From the friendly greeting at your consultation through the celebration of your completed restoration, every interaction reflects genuine care for your wellbeing and comfort. This human touch combined with clinical excellence creates an experience that makes patients feel confident they’ve chosen the right provider for their implant treatment.

Comparing Implants to Other Tooth Replacement Options

Understanding how dental implants compare to alternatives helps you make informed decisions about tooth replacement. Traditional bridges connect to adjacent natural teeth for support, requiring those teeth to be ground down significantly. While bridges restore appearance and basic function, they don’t preserve bone and typically need replacement every 10-15 years. The teeth supporting the bridge face increased stress and higher cavity risk.

Partial or full dentures rest on your gums and are held in place by suction, clasps, or adhesives. They restore basic chewing function and appearance but don’t prevent bone loss and can slip or shift during eating and speaking. Many denture wearers restrict their diets to soft foods and feel self-conscious about their teeth moving at inconvenient moments. Dentures require periodic adjustments as bone changes shape, and they typically need replacement every 5-7 years.

Dental implants offer distinct advantages: they preserve bone like natural tooth roots, provide stable chewing function that allows unrestricted diet choices, require no alteration of healthy adjacent teeth, feel and function like natural teeth, and last decades or a lifetime with proper care. The higher initial cost is offset by longevity, and the functional and psychological benefits represent value that other options cannot match.

Start Your Journey to a Complete Smile with Dr. Andy Kim

Don’t let missing teeth hold you back from living your best life. Dental implants can restore your smile’s function and beauty, giving you the confidence to enjoy all your favorite activities without worry or embarrassment.

Dr. Andy Kim and our caring team at Burien Signature Dentistry are here to guide you through every step of the implant process, ensuring comfortable treatment and beautiful, lasting results. With our advanced training, state-of-the-art technology, and commitment to personalized care, you can trust us to help you achieve the complete, healthy smile you’ve been dreaming of.

Missing teeth don’t have to be a permanent condition that limits your life. Modern dental implant treatment offers a proven, reliable solution that restores both function and confidence. Your journey to a complete smile begins with a call at (206) 246-3222 or contact us online form.