Cosmetic Dentistry and Dental Implants - Seattle, Washington

Dental implants at our dentistry practice headed by our experienced cosmetic dentist Thomas Marxen, D.D.S., M.S.D., near Seattle, Washington have given countless patients many amazing benefits.

• Benefits of Dental Implants
• Dental Implants FAQs

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are an advanced alternative to dental bridges and can eliminate the need for dentures. This is because dental implants function exactly like natural teeth to help you smile, eat, and speak with the freedom a full set of teeth provides.

• You will smile again
• Improved appearance
• Improved comfort
• Improved speech
• Eat better, enjoy more foods, better nutrition
• Convenience
• Improved self-esteem

Dental implants were designed as an option to replace missing teeth. These artificial teeth have a natural look and feel. Your implant dentist will surgically implant them into your jaw.

Dental implants are also a great value for your investment. You will be getting a product that you will be using 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year, probably for many, many years of your life. Dr. Marxen can perform surgery for dental implants right here at our dentistry practice, located near Seattle, Washington.

[ Back to top ]

Dental Implants FAQs

• Is the concept of dental implants a new one?
• What factors contribute to long-term success of dental implants?
• Who can place a dental implant in my mouth?
• Who can restore the teeth on top of dental implants?
• Are there any age limitations for dental implants?
• What might be some of the factors that would prevent me from being a dental implant candidate?
• How often will I need to have my dental implants checked?
• Is dental implant surgery painful?
• When can I return to work after dental implant surgery?

...

Q. Is the concept of dental implants a new one?

Interestingly, various forms of implant dentistry have been performed for thousands of years. Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire implants in their jawbones. Pre-Columbian skeletal remains exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones. Recently, a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle Ages.

Modern implant dentistry began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the popularity of implant dentistry really grew in the 1980s with the increased success of the titanium cylinder. Since then, many brand name dental implants with minor variations have been approved. If you would like to learn more about implant dentistry in the Seattle, Washington area, contact cosmetic dentist Thomas Marxen.

Q. What factors contribute to long-term success of dental implants?

Long-term success depends on multiple factors. Firstly, success will depend on the quality and quantity of bone. The better the bone and the more available, the greater the chance of long-term dental implant success. Secondly, the experience and ability of the dental surgeon will be a factor. As with any surgical procedure, there is no substitute for the experience and individual talent of the implant dentist. And finally, the quality of the restoration placed on top of the dental implant will play a big role in long-term success. If the design of the implant crowns or overdentures are poorly constructed, and biting forces are not balanced, even the best-placed dental implants will have compromised survival rates. Dr. Marxen is an experienced dentist who is qualified in performing surgery for dental implants in the Seattle, Washington area.

Q. Who can place a dental implant in my mouth?

A prosthodontist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist places dental implants. The prosthodontist also has the training to restore dental implants, which makes the process convenient for the patient.

Q. Who can restore the teeth on the top of dental implants?

A general dentist (trained to restore dental implants) or a prosthodontist can restore teeth. A prosthodontist has more formal training in the discipline of implantology. Dr. Marxen completed his master's degree in prosthodontics at the University of Washington. As an implant dentist, he performs dental implants and tooth restoration at our dentistry practice on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington.

Q. Are there any age limitations for dental implants?

No. Any person at any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough bone available in which to place the implants.

Q. What might be some of the factors that would prevent me from being a dental implant candidate?

There are some medical factors that might prevent a person from being a good candidate for dental implants. Some of these may be uncontrolled diabetes, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, parathyroid disorders, blood disorders, rare bone disorders or bone marrow cancer. Some physical factors may include insufficient or poor quality bone, low sinuses, or nerve bundles. Schedule a consultation with cosmetic dentist Thomas Marxen, D.D.S., M.S.D. about implant dentistry at his Seattle, Washington area office to see if you would be a good candidate for this treatment.

Q. How often will I need to have my dental implants checked?

The success of your dental implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain them. They will need to be professionally cleaned by a hygienist and examined by your implant dentist every three to four months. This hygienist should be trained in the specific procedure of maintaining dental implants. Also, brushing and flossing daily is absolutely necessary for long-term success. Our dentistry office is prepared to take care of all the dentistry and dental implants needs of the Seattle, Washington region.

Q. Is dental implant surgery painful?

No. Dr. Marxen is licensed to provide sedation dentistry, which provides very little memory of the dental implants procedure. An effective local anesthetic is used during the surgery so that you do not have any discomfort during the placement of the dental implants. The mild discomfort you might experience after dental implant surgery in Washington can be controlled with medications.

Q. When can I return to work after dental implant surgery?

You can go to work the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance arises. Our implant dentistry team will discuss all postoperative instructions with you.

To learn more about dental implants and implant dentistry, or to schedule a consultation with implant dentist Dr. Marxen, contact us today! Dr. Marxen has been assisting patients interested in dental implants from throughout Washington, particularly patients in the Seattle region. Advanced Care Dentistry also offers teeth whitening, oral surgery, dental porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures to give your smile an extreme makeover.

[ Back to top ]