Dental Implants – Together, We Can Change Your Life!
Why are You Considering Dental Implants?
Are all or most of your teeth in need of replacement?
- Do you have one or more broken, cracked, or missing teeth?
- Do you have a poorly fitting or damaged bridge?
- Are your dentures uncomfortable or poorly fitting?
- Do you have one or more existing implant(s) in need of repair?
Dr. Thomas Duffy can help find a more permanent solution for you, such as:
- A single implant with a crown to replace one tooth
- An implant-supported bridge with porcelain crowns for three to five teeth
- Implant-supported crowns for all your upper and/or lower teeth called Full Arch Dental Implants
- Implant-supported overdentures (full arch dentures for your upper and/or lower teeth)–a more affordable option
- Another solution altogether, based on your unique needs
Our work is not a “cookie cutter” process, it is individualized, putting you, your dental health, and overall health needs at the top of our list. We believe it is critical that you have all your questions answered and that you feel comfortable in deciding if dental implants are right for you.
Trust the Process
At Peninsula Family Dentistry, we are proud to bring you local expertise resulting in high-quality workmanship right here in Gig Harbor!
Thomas Duffy, DDS, is highly skilled in both restorative dentistry (repairing and restoring teeth) and cosmetic dentistry, allowing you to have functional, healthy, and beautiful teeth. He can help you resolve some of the most serious oral health needs you may ever have—with amazingly functional and beautiful results. See Dr. Duffy’s background.
Dr. Duffy works closely with a local, highly-trained oral surgeon for the surgical portion of the implant process. We are both here to answer your questions and you will have several appointments with each of us along the way.
Take your first step by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Duffy here.
Your dental health is an important component of your overall health and well-being. For many, dental implants are the best solution for properly restoring broken and/or missing teeth, caused by injury or decay. They are a secure, stable, and natural-looking replacement that should last the rest of your life.
The best candidates for dental implants are generally in good health, have healthy gums, and do not use tobacco. Following the procedures, our patients enjoy being able to eat anything, speak naturally, and sport a smile that is supported by the bone structure nature intended.
Dental Implants—a Three-Part Process
For many, dental implants are the best solution for properly restoring broken and/or missing teeth, caused by injury or decay. They are a secure, stable, and natural-looking replacement that should last the rest of your life.
Our best candidates for dental implants are generally in good health, have healthy gums, and do not use tobacco. If needed, we can help you strengthen your jaw(s) or assist you in taking other steps to prepare yourself for an excellent outcome.
Once your procedure is complete, you will enjoy being able to eat anything, speak more naturally, and sport a beautiful smile that is supported by the bone structure nature intended.
The dental implant process consists of three parts
• Step one: we will evaluate the quality and health of the bone in which the implant is to be placed using a 3D scan of your jaw. People with significant bone loss may need a bone graft to grow new bone in the area to provide a solid, healthy foundation. If this is necessary for you, this will be an important part of our conversation. We want to ensure your jaw is healthy and strong enough to successfully support the implant(s).
• Step two: the oral surgeon will surgically place the actual “implant” (usually biocompatible titanium screws) into the jawbone. Each implant acts as a replacement root for your new teeth. Depending upon your needs, you will have one or several implants placed into your jaw. This depends upon whether you require one implant for a single-tooth replacement or support for a longer multi-tooth solution.
Surgical healing from this process takes approximately four to six months because your bone needs to grow around the screw and heal enough to hold the implant in place. Remember, everyone is different in how long it takes to sufficiently heal. (Scientific evidence has shown that titanium and bone have a unique ability to fuse together, creating a strong foundation.)
While you are waiting for full healing, you will wear attractive dentures or perhaps even your permanent crowns depending upon your needs. We generally ask our patients to eat a soft diet during this phase to protect their jaw as it heals.
• Step three: in this “restoration” stage, we develop your new crowns or bridge-supported crowns which will be permanently attached to your implants. For some, this means we will place the adaptation of your new or existing denture to your implants. An “abutment” is placed at the top of each implant screw. The abutments will shape the gums for better health and appearance, and hold the crowns, bridges, or dentures in place. So, each “dental implant” is itself also has three parts: implant, abutment, and restoration.
Learn more about dental implants:
What to Expect at Your First Consultation
Dr. Duffy will study your digital X-rays and other imaging, examine your mouth, discuss any health issues, and hear your questions. He will then suggest what are the best options for you. Additionally, he will review any risks, and answer your further questions. Depending upon your thoughts about which solutions are best, he may have you see our carefully selected and highly trained oral surgeon to discuss the seating of the implants. After all, this is an investment in time, energy, and financial resources. Our priority for you is that you love your results!
*If you choose Peninsula Family Dentistry for your implants, Dr. Duffy will credit back your initial consultation fee for you and subtract it from your invoice total. The offer does not include X-ray or imaging costs.
Schedule using our request form or call us at (253) 525-4050 today.
