Dental Implants & Gum Care in Washington

Implant Restoration Replaces a Missing Tooth

If you already have an implant post but not the tooth that goes on it, Implant Restoration may be the step you're asking about. An implant post sits in the jaw. Implant Restoration is the crown or other tooth replacement attached to that post after it's ready. The goal is to give you a tooth you can use for everyday biting and chewing.

If your tooth is missing and no post has been placed, an evaluation can help clarify what needs to happen before Implant Restoration. Placement of the post and restoration of the tooth are separate steps. That distinction is worth making early, because it's easy to hear "implant" and picture one visit. The timing and next step depend on your mouth, including the health of the tissue around the planned tooth.

Periodontal Treatment treats gum and bone disease; Implant Restoration replaces missing tooth structure. The two may be part of the same plan, but they don't do the same job. Crowns or bridges that aren't attached to an implant fall under general dentistry rather than this service. Read about Implant Restoration in Washington for a closer look at what this stage involves.

Periodontal Treatment Addresses Gum and Bone Disease

Periodontal Treatment focuses on the gums and bone that hold teeth in place. Those tissues also matter if you're considering an implant. Unlike Implant Restoration, Periodontal Treatment doesn't replace a missing tooth. It addresses disease in the support around teeth and implants, so gum health is often checked before an implant plan moves ahead.

You may want to ask about Periodontal Treatment if you notice:

Gums that bleed when you brush

Gums that seem to be pulling away from a tooth

A tooth that feels loose

You don't need to wait for one of these signs to ask. Early gum disease may cause no pain or clear change you can see. That matters when you're thinking about an implant, since the tissue around it needs to be evaluated first. Checking gum health isn't a detour from replacing a tooth. It's part of finding out what care makes sense for your mouth.

If you're concerned about your gums, tell us what you've noticed and how long it's been happening.

A Periodontist Differs From a General Dentist in Washington

Do you need a general dentist or a periodontist? A periodontist is a dental specialist whose work centers on the tissue that supports teeth and implants. A general dentist handles a wider range of oral care. You don't need to settle that question on your own before asking for an evaluation.

At our office, Dr. Dennis Burton and Dr. Jonathan Gifford provide Implant Restoration and Periodontal Treatment. If you're already a patient here, you can raise a concern about a missing tooth or your gums at the office you know. If you're new to Associates in Dentistry, you can start by telling us what brought you in. We'll talk with you about the concern and the next step. Care outside implant restoration and periodontal treatment belongs with general dentistry, rather than being treated as part of these two services.

The useful question isn't which title sounds right. It's whether the gum and bone supporting your teeth need care, a missing tooth needs restoring, or both. Learn more about Periodontal Treatment in Washington before your visit.

Learn more about Implant Restoration in Washington to see if it's a possible next step for you.

Contact Associates in Dentistry in Washington, IL, to book an evaluation for periodontal or implant care.