When you lose a tooth, you’re not just losing a piece of your smile—you’re facing challenges that affect how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. At Bel-Red Dental, we’ve helped countless patients regain their confidence through dental implants, a revolutionary tooth replacement solution that offers permanent results.
Dr. Su-Young Jane Choi understands that every patient deserves a complete, functional smile, which is why we specialize in dental implant procedures that restore both the appearance and strength of your natural teeth. You don’t have to settle for gaps in your smile or the inconvenience of removable dentures when dental implants can give you back the freedom to eat, laugh, and live without worry.
Understanding Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth by being placed directly into your jawbone. Think of it as creating a new foundation where your natural tooth root once existed. The titanium material is specifically chosen because your body accepts it without rejection, allowing the implant to actually bond with your bone over several months.
This bonding process, called osseointegration, creates a permanent anchor point that can hold a crown for a single tooth, support a bridge for multiple missing teeth, or secure a full denture. The key difference between implants and other tooth replacement methods is that implants recreate both the visible tooth and the hidden root structure, providing complete tooth replacement from top to bottom.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Maintains Your Natural Bite Alignment
Dental implants preserve your original bite pattern by replacing teeth at their exact anatomical position in your jaw. This precise placement prevents the shifting and tilting that occurs when gaps remain untreated, which can lead to TMJ disorders and uneven tooth wear. Your jaw muscles continue to function normally, reducing strain and preventing the development of chronic jaw pain or headaches.
Provides Immediate Stability for Active Lifestyles
Unlike removable dentures that can dislodge during physical activities, dental implants remain securely in place whether you’re playing sports, exercising, or traveling. You can participate in contact sports, go swimming, or enjoy outdoor adventures without worrying about your teeth shifting or falling out. This reliability means you never have to modify your lifestyle or avoid activities due to dental concerns.
Eliminates the Need for Tooth Preparation on Healthy Teeth
Traditional bridges require grinding down healthy adjacent teeth to create support structures, permanently weakening these natural teeth. Dental implants are self-supporting and don’t rely on neighboring teeth for stability, preserving your existing dental work and natural tooth structure. This conservation approach protects your investment in other dental treatments and maintains your overall oral health.
Offers Predictable Long-Term Cost Effectiveness
While dental implants require a higher initial investment, they eliminate the ongoing costs associated with denture adjustments, relines, adhesives, and periodic replacements. The titanium implant structure is designed to last decades, and even if the crown needs replacement, the foundation remains intact. This durability makes implants more economical over your lifetime compared to repeatedly replacing temporary solutions.
Restores Proper Speech Patterns and Pronunciation
Missing teeth, especially front teeth, can cause lisping, whistling, or difficulty pronouncing certain letters and sounds clearly. Dental implants restore the proper tongue positioning needed for clear speech by replacing teeth in their original locations. You’ll regain confident communication skills without the mumbling or unclear speech that often accompanies tooth loss or ill-fitting dentures.
Our Dental Implant Treatment Process
Comprehensive Evaluation and Bone Assessment
We begin with a thorough examination using advanced imaging to evaluate your jawbone density and determine the best placement strategy for your specific situation. Dr. Su-Young Jane Choi reviews your medical history and discusses whether you’re a candidate for single tooth replacement with a crown, multiple teeth restoration with a bridge, or full arch reconstruction with implant-supported dentures. This detailed assessment ensures we select the most appropriate implant solution for your unique needs.
Customized Implant Placement with Comfort Options
During your implant surgery, we use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the straightforward procedure that places the titanium post directly into your jawbone. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed during the process, especially if you’re receiving multiple implants for bridge support or full arch replacement. Our minimally invasive technique promotes faster healing while ensuring precise placement for optimal long-term success.
Monitored Healing and Bone Integration Period
After your implant placement, you’ll need to wait several months for the titanium post to fuse with your bone tissue through osseointegration, creating an exceptionally sturdy foundation. Dr. Su-Young Jane Choi schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and ensure the implant is integrating properly with your jawbone. This healing phase is crucial for developing the strong connection that makes your implant feel secure and comfortable like a natural tooth root.
Final Restoration Attachment and Function Testing
Once your implant has fully integrated, we attach your custom-made restoration—whether it’s a single crown, fixed bridge for multiple teeth, or implant-supported denture for full arch replacement. We carefully test your bite and chewing function to ensure your new teeth work harmoniously with your existing teeth and feel completely natural. This final phase transforms your implant from a simple post into a fully functional tooth replacement.
Ongoing Maintenance and Long-Term Care Guidance
Your completed dental implants require the same regular maintenance as your natural teeth—simply brush twice daily, floss regularly, and maintain your routine cleanings and checkups with our practice. We provide specific instructions for caring for your particular restoration type, whether it’s a single implant crown or multiple implants supporting a bridge or denture. This straightforward care routine ensures your implants remain healthy and functional for many years to come.
Why Choose Our Approach to Dental Implants
At Bel-Red Dental, we combine advanced implant technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional results for every patient. Dr. Su-Young Jane Choi offers sedation options like nitrous oxide to ensure your comfort during procedures, whether you’re receiving a single implant crown or multiple implants for full arch restoration.
We use precise treatment planning and maintain open communication throughout your healing process, helping you understand each step from initial placement through final restoration attachment. Our commitment to quality materials and meticulous attention to detail ensures your dental implants integrate successfully and provide lasting function for years to come.
Your Complete Smile Restoration Awaits!
Stop avoiding foods like corn on the cob or worrying about your dentures slipping during important conversations. At Bel-Red Dental, Dr. Su-Young Jane Choi has helped patients replace missing teeth with dental implants that feel completely natural and last for decades with simple brushing and flossing.
Visit our social media pages to see real patient transformations and learn why our implant patients consistently recommend our practice to their friends and family. Book your comprehensive implant consultation online or contact our office at 425-883-3656 to discover how you can regain the freedom to eat, speak, and smile without limitations.
FAQs
How much are dental implants?
The investment for dental implants depends on your specific needs, such as whether you’re replacing a single tooth with a crown or multiple teeth with a bridge supported by several implants. At Bel-Red Dental, we provide transparent pricing during your consultation and work with various insurance plans to maximize your benefits. We also offer flexible financing options to help make your tooth replacement treatment affordable and accessible.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that we surgically place into your jawbone to replace missing tooth roots, creating a permanent foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. The titanium material bonds with your natural bone through osseointegration, making the implant as stable as your original teeth. This tooth replacement method restores both the visible portion and root structure of your missing teeth, unlike other options that only address what you see above the gum line.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your dental implants can function for decades or even a lifetime since the titanium post becomes permanently integrated with your jawbone. The crown or restoration attached to your implant may need replacement after 15-20 years due to normal wear, but the implant foundation typically remains intact. Following our care instructions and maintaining excellent oral health significantly extends the lifespan of your entire tooth replacement system.
Do dental implants hurt?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort during implant placement since we use effective local anesthesia and offer sedation options like nitrous oxide for additional comfort. Any post-surgical discomfort is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers, lasting only a few days as your tissues heal. The implant integration process itself is painless, and once healed, your dental implants should feel completely natural without any ongoing discomfort.
Why avoid dairy after a dental implant?
Avoiding dairy products temporarily after your implant surgery helps promote optimal healing and reduces the risk of complications at the surgical site. Dairy can potentially interfere with blood clot formation and may increase bacterial activity in your mouth during the critical initial healing period. Following our post-operative dietary guidelines, including the temporary dairy restriction, helps ensure successful osseointegration and protects your investment in tooth replacement.
