Dental Implants in Kalaheo
Are you embarrassed because you have missing teeth? Do you hide your smile out of fear that people might judge you?
Unfortunately, this is a problem that many people face. Studies indicate that close to 200 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and nearly 35 million are missing all their teeth. 
At Kalaheo Dental Group, we don’t like to hear these statistics because we understand the impact that missing teeth can have on the quality of your life. Missing teeth affect not only the appearance of your smile but the function and health of your other teeth as well. Even a single missing tooth can make it challenging and uncomfortable to eat and speak normally. Additionally, you may face the embarrassment of smiling in front of friends and co-workers.
If you are tired of living with gaps in your smile, we understand! If you have a diminished quality of life because of your missing teeth, we hear your complaints! We are here to tell you that you don’t have to go through even one more day with a smile that makes you uncomfortable. Our job is to help you retake control of your oral health and to make sure your smile looks and feels the way you want it to. If you are ready to take the next step toward a more functional and beautiful smile, our dentist in Kauai can help!
How exactly will we improve your smile? With dental implants! Dental implants are a smart, modern treatment option that can provide you with decades of improved smile function. Want to learn more about our dental implants in Kauai? Keep reading!
- State-of-the-Art Dental Implants
- The Process of Placing a Dental Implant
- The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
- Choosing Dental Implants
State-of-the-Art Dental Implants
If you are missing one or more natural teeth, we’d like to help. We believe dental implants are the best restorative dental treatment in most situations, which is why we are excited to offer our patients the convenience of beautiful, modern, and strong dental implants.
Dental implants are the ultimate tooth replacement choice because they provide a long-term solution for completing your smile. When the process of placing an implant is complete, you will have a tooth that looks, feels, and acts just like a natural tooth!
Dental implants are a relatively new treatment in the field of dentistry, and as technology continues to improve, so does the quality of dental implants. Dental implants were first used and tested in the late 1960s, and dentists have been working hard ever since that time to learn more about implants and how to make them better.
The dental implants we use at our Kauai dental office are sleek, sturdy, and ultimately very reliable. If you have questions about dental implants in Koloa, our knowledgeable team of dental professionals would be happy to answer them! Please give us a call at (808) 332-9445 to speak with a member of our dental team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Implants Act Like a Natural Root
Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that recreates the entire structure of the tooth, from root to crown. A titanium implant post is placed surgically in your jaw and prevents bone loss, just like a natural root does.
Because of the way your jaw heals after placement, the biocompatible implant fuses with surrounding bone and tissue. After several months of healing, it becomes a permanent part of your dental structure, and we attach a crown, bridge, or denture to restore function and appearance.
Long-Term Success Depends on You
However, the key to the long-term success of a dental implant is being diligent with your oral health by brushing twice and flossing once a day. Lack of proper oral hygiene can lead to gum disease that compromises bone in your jaw and causes the implant to fail. With proper at-home care and routine visits to your dentist for exams and checkups, your implant could last a lifetime. When you get a dental implant at Kalaheo Dental Group, we will make sure to educate you on the proper care for longevity of your dental implant.
Learn More about Dental Implants
If you would like to learn more about dental implants in Kalaheo to see if they’re right for you, please call our office. One of our skilled dentists will be happy to consult with you to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide if dental implants are the best solution for you.
Dental implants are made of three parts, including:
- Dental replacement root
- Connector or abutment
- Dental crown or prosthetic
This blog explores dental implants in Kauai—what they are and how they work.
Dental Implants Explained
The dental replacement root is the first part of the implant. The dentist in Kalaheo places the root surgically into the jawbone. After it integrates with the bone, we attach the connect or abutment, followed by your dental crown or prosthetic.
Your dentist can provide one implant—root, abutment, and crown—or up to six implants per arch for an implant-retained denture.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement choice if you want to restore the entire tooth from root to crown. The benefits of this approach include:
- Jawbone support: Jawbones deteriorate without tooth roots.
- Bite stability: A dental implant keeps your remaining teeth in place and prevents shifting.
- Chewing force: Dental implants restore your chewing force, which means no eating restrictions.
Fixed tooth replacement is always the best course, and dental implants have long been the gold standard.
Contact Our Dental Implant Dentist in Kauai
Contact our office today for more information about dental implants or to schedule a tooth replacement consultation with the dentist.
We offer financing options. Ask us for details.
Getting a dental implant typically takes three to six months from start to finish. It involves several
stages expertly performed by your experienced Kauai dentist. When completed, you'll have a permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Step-by-Step Dental Implant Procedure
Getting a dental implant involves five steps as follows:
- Initial Consultation and Planning — Your Kauai dentist performs a comprehensive examination, including 3-D imaging, to evaluate your oral health and bone density. This step determines if you're an ideal candidate and allows for precise implant placement planning.
- Implant Placement — During this surgical procedure, we carefully insert a titanium post into the jawbone. This step takes approximately one to two hours per implant. Strong local anesthetics ensure a comfortable, pain-free procedure.
- Healing and Integration — The titanium implant will fuse with the jawbone over the next three to four months. This natural process, called osseointegration, creates a stable foundation for your new replacement tooth.
- Abutment Placement — Once healing is complete, the dentist opens the gum and attaches an abutment to the implant. This piece is the foundation for your final restoration.
- Crown Placement — The final step in the implant process is attaching the custom-crafted crown to the abutment, completing your smile restoration.
Benefits of Dental Implants in Kauai
With dental implants, you can eat, speak, and smile confidently again, but those are not the only benefits:
- Can last a lifetime with proper care
- Helps maintain facial structure
- Natural appearance and function
- Prevents jawbone deterioration
Ready to start your dental implant journey? Call Kalaheo Dental to arrange an appointment today!
Dental implants can last for decades and sometimes even for life!
Other tooth replacement options can last for many years, with an average lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. Therefore, dental implants have a clear longevity advantage.
Increasing Your Dental Implant Lifespan
Here are a few ways to promote dental implant health and longevity:
- Brush and floss regularly.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and teeth cleanings.
- Talk to your dentist if you grind your teeth (bruxism).
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
- Always report oral health changes to your Kalaheo dentist.
Complications like gum disease, triggered by oral neglect, smoking, and lack of dental cleanings, can lead to dental implant failure.
So, if you’re searching for ways to make your dental implants last longer, healthy habits will be your priority. In other words, if you’re wondering what affects the dental implant lifespan, the answer is unhealthy habits, such as poor oral hygiene and lack of appropriate dental care.
Are You Considering Dental Implants in Kalaheo, HI?
In addition to their longevity, dental implants promote jawbone health and integrity, prevent tooth migration, and result in a natural-looking smile.
To learn more about tooth replacement or to schedule a consultation with our dentist, please contact us today at (808) 332-9445. Please remember to inquire about our membership plan and budgeting options.
The Process of Placing a Dental Implant Near Kauai
It takes several different steps spread over the course of multiple dental appointments to place a dental implant. From start to finish, the average dental implant placement takes around six months.
If you need a dental implant in Kauai, Dr. Lutwin, Dr. Rita, or Dr. Stebbins will place your dental implant in three steps:
Place Implant
The dental implant itself is a tiny titanium post that takes the place of the missing tooth root. This titanium post is placed below your gum line and into your jawbone so that it can properly fuse with the existing bone. Our dental implants are made of the same medical-grade titanium that doctors have used for decades in joint replacements. An experienced oral surgeon who has advanced training in implant placement will place your dental implant.
Attach Abutment
When the implant has healed and integrated with surrounding bone in your jaw (usually after several months), we attach an abutment. The abutment is a small connector piece that’s secured to the implant to hold the final restoration securely in place. Placing the abutment is typically a very simple procedure, and it can sometimes even be done on the same day as placing your tooth crown.
Create Restoration
The restoration, or dental crown, is the part of your dental implant you can actually see. Our attention to detail allows us to create dental implant restorations that function well and look beautifully natural. Your tooth crown should always blend well with the look of your natural teeth in your mouth. Since dental implants are so secure and stable, they can also be used to anchor other prosthetic devices, such as dentures and bridges.
Dental implants are high-quality dental restorations that, when properly taken care of, will last for many years within your mouth. It takes time to place a dental implant, but we believe the wait is completely worth the long-term results. Questions about our dental implants? Call our Kalaheo Dental Group team today at (808) 332-9445.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
Although appearance is the most noticeable problem associated with missing teeth, it’s definitely not the only concern. If you are putting off replacing your missing teeth simply because you are still OK with the way your smile looks, there are more factors to consider.
When you lose a tooth, you also lose the function of its root. This is a problem because your natural tooth root does a lot more than just hold the tooth in place.
The presence of the tooth root promotes healthy growth of bone and tissue in your jaw. However, when the tooth root is gone, this process stops, and the bone in your jaw begins to break down slowly. A missing root can also lead to tooth misalignment as surrounding teeth change position and tilt into the empty space.
However, a dental implant solves these problems because it fills the space left by a missing tooth and restarts the process of healthy bone growth. Dental implants are about so much more than just appearance — they fully replace missing teeth all the way from the foundation to the crown. It is incredibly important to fill the holes left behind by missing teeth, and choosing to use dental implants in your treatment gives you the best shot at protecting your smile and preventing further problems from occurring. If you need to replace missing teeth, our dentists in Kauai recommend dental implants!
Featured Blog Posts - Dental Implants
What to Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure in Kalaheo, HI
You have a missing tooth—or maybe multiple missing teeth—and are strongly considering dental implants, which is a wise choice!
Dental implants are a significant investment in your smile, offering unique benefits.
In this blog, we take you step-by-step through the dental implant process:
- Initial Consultation
- Potential Pretreatments
- Implant Surgery Day
- Recovery Period
- Smile Placement
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Dental implants in Kauai are the gold standard in tooth replacement. First, they offer longevity, especially compared with other options. Second, they are most like natural teeth. It’s also important to consider the oral health benefits. Finally, they are the only maintenance-free choice. Simply brush, floss, and visit Kalaheo ...
When Are Dental Implants Necessary?
As anyone who's suffered from tooth loss will attest, it's extremely important to address the area in the mouth where the tooth/teeth used to be.
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Choosing Dental Implants
We know that there’s a lot to consider when you’re thinking about getting dental implants in Kauai, and you probably have more questions than answers! At Kalaheo Dental Group, it’s our job to discuss all your options and provide you with the information you need to make a confident decision about your treatment.
If you would like to find out whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, please call us to arrange a convenient dental appointment. Our trained dentists can answer all your questions about dental implants in Kauai and help you design a treatment plan that is specific to your smile. At Kalaheo Dental Group, we promise to work together to find the option that fits all your unique needs!
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Michael Lutwin DDS
Dr. Michael Lutwin has practiced dentistry on Kauai since 2005 and has been with Kalaheo Dental Group since 2011. He is a past president of the Kauai County ...
Dr. Kelliann Rita DDS
Dr. Kelliann Rita grew up on Maui and, after graduating from Maui High School, earned a Bachelors degree in chemistry from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She achieved her ...
Dr. Robert Stebbins DDS
Dr. Robert Stebbins graduated from University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 2006. He owned a private dental practice for 11 years in Oregon. Prior to becoming a dentist, ...