Implant Dentistry
Donaldson & Guenther provides comprehensive dental implant services. Patients can have all their dental implant needs taken care of in the most streamlined quality way possible; with one doctor in one office. Dr. Kirk Donaldson is highly trained and experienced in both the surgical and restorative aspects of implant dentistry; from tooth extraction and bone grafting, to helping shape and maintain nice looking and healthy gums, to placing the implants and making the final teeth.
Having one doctor manage your implant treatment is ideal. By being able to immediately place a temporary tooth at the same time a front or side tooth is extracted gives the best opportunity for precise management of the very important gumline shape and sets the stage for the best, most stable long term results. Patients can usually keep their normal smile intact the entire time during the process, avoiding embarrassment and self-consciousness associated with the more typical removable temporaries (flippers).
The top of the patient’s tooth is used as the temporary immediately after extraction and implant placement. It looked completely natural except for the small suture above the gum line.
This X-ray shows the implant in place with the temporary bonded in place.
The final implant has a natural appearance and healthy gumline. The natural tooth was lost due to root resorption ( a dissolving of the tooth root). Only her husband knew she lost and replaced her tooth while she maintained a very active and public career.
What’s a dental implant?
A dental implant is basically a titanium replacement of a natural tooth’s root. The implant has an opening on top that allows your dentist to attach a new tooth (crown). Multiple implants are the foundation for larger restorations like a bridge or a whole group of teeth. Success rates are in the range of 98%. Patients are consistently surprised at how comfortable the process is and how real and natural their implant teeth feel.
This X-ray shows a molar implant tooth. The lower threaded part is the implant. The internal set screw secures the thimble shaped abutment which in turn is covered by a porcelain crown or cap.
This is the same implant tooth (to the left of the gold) seen in the X-ray above. Note the natural form of the gums and tooth shape. It looks feels and functions like a real tooth.
What about bone and soft tissue/gum grafting?
Most implant cases require some measure of bone grafting prior to or during implant placement. An implant needs enough height and width of bone around it to be secure and look natural. When a tooth is extracted, we routinely place bone immediately in the socket site to preserve the site; avoiding a shrinking ridge that is more complex to graft later. The current state-of –the-art recommends that unless there are strong reasons not to (like a large infection), a socket should always be grafted immediately. This makes everything to be done later both easier and better. So—don’t just let someone take out your tooth and not preserve the site if you might have an implant later.
Bone grafting can also rebuild shrunken narrow ridges and raise the bone height within the cheek (maxillary) sinus spaces. These procedures make implants possible where they wouldn’t be otherwise.
Soft tissue grafting can be very important to ensure stable gum line tissue around the implant or to improve tissue thickness and appearance.
It is all about finesse throughout the process.
Doing dental implants well takes a clear vision of what the end goal is. That’s usually a solid natural looking tooth and gums. Each step in the process sets up the next step. Dr. Kirk Donaldson is an expert in helping people get the results they want with a minimum of stress and discomfort and a blend of efficient technical and artistic excellence. Please read our patient testimonials and blog about how well our patients are cared for.
We are happy to find out about your desires and answer your questions. Contact Donaldson and Guenther about your dental implant needs.
Gallery of a variety of implants:
The left X-ray shows failing teeth and very little bone for back teeth implants. The right X-ray shows successful bone grafting in both sinus areas and very nice placement of 8 implants. The patient had no discomfort from any of the procedures. She is in her 60’s.
The healing abutments cover the implants and allow for healthy gum healing. The patient now has a high confidence smile and can eat what ever she likes.
The front tooth is replaced with an all ceramic abutment and crown, making for nice looking gums around the tooth.
Four to six implants can support and entire arch of new teeth.
