If you are considering dental implant restoration in the University Place, Tacoma, Puyallup, and Seattle areas, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Randal Swanlund, D.D.S.
7120 40th Street West
University Place, Washington 98466
Ph. (253) 590-4388
Fx. (253) 564-7596
Dental Implant Restoration in University Place, Tacoma, Puyallup, and Seattle – Additional Surgeries
Dr. Randal Swanlund strives to provide outstanding dental care by offering a number of oral procedures to prepare patients for dental implant restoration surgery. At his office in University Place, serving Tacoma, Puyallup, Seattle, and all of Washington, Dr. Swanlund performs tooth extraction, bone grafting, sinus lift, and nerve repositioning. He also practices oral pathology to identify and treat various types of mouth disease. A proponent of periodontal health, Dr. Swanlund combines the precision of technology with the beauty of nature to achieve remarkable results.
Bone Grafting
After losing teeth due to injury or disease, many people experience significant bone loss near the affected area. Because the body sometimes reabsorbs the section of jawbone that is not being used, patients may be left with inadequate bone structure for dental implant restoration surgery. At his University Place practice serving Tacoma, Puyallup, Seattle, and surrounding areas, Dr. Swanlund is able to rebuild the patient's jaw using human bone, creating a natural, secure foundation for each dental implant.
Bone grafting is necessary when dental implant restoration is performed as an extraction-to-implant procedure. For these treatments, placing a bone graft around the dental implant provides the structural support that allows the patient's jaw to heal properly. Major bone grafting surgeries can be performed to correct serious jaw problems, which may have resulted from traumatic injury, tumor removal, or birth defects. Dr. Swanlund will assess your individual surgical needs and create a custom treatment plan for your dental implant restoration. Contact South Sound Dental Implant Centre today to schedule a consultation.
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Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, or a closed sinus elevation, is a procedure used to increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw before dental implant restoration surgery. Often, the roots of a person's teeth extend into the maxillary sinuses, which are located above the upper teeth. When a tooth is removed, sometimes only a thin base of bone remains between the sinus and the mouth. Since implants must be anchored firmly into the patient's jaw, a lack of sufficient bone structure can make dental implant surgery problematic.
During the sinus lift procedure, Dr. Swanlund enters the sinuses at the point where the tooth has been removed and "lifts" the sinus membrane to create room for the implant to be positioned at the roof of the upper jaw (i.e., the base of the sinuses). Dr. Swanlund then uses a system of nonsurgical drills that, by increasing in diameter, are able to lift and expand the bone to make room for a small, specially designed dental implant. Advances in dental implant technology allow doctors to place these shorter implants with the same success as their longer conventional counterparts.
Patients must wait several months for the dental implant to heal before the replacement tooth or teeth can be placed. Dr. Swanlund will work with you to determine the best method for dental implant restoration depending on your personal needs. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
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Nerve Repositioning
Placing a dental implant in the lower jaw sometimes requires nerve repositioning surgery either before or at the time of a dental implant restoration. At his office in University Place, serving Tacoma, Puyallup, Seattle, and all of Washington, Dr. Swanlund is able to move the inferior alveolar nerve, which produces feeling in the lower lip and chin, in order to keep it from getting damaged by the dental implant. If there has been significant bone loss in the lower jaw, Dr. Swanlund may not be able to place a dental implant without damaging this nerve, in which case nerve repositioning will be necessary.
Although nerve repositioning is considered an aggressive approach, Dr. Swanlund's skill and experience in all areas of oral surgery help ensure a safe, smooth procedure. In addition, patients who prefer not to remember their procedure can opt for sedation dentistry for greater comfort. On the day of treatment, Dr. Swanlund will drill a small opening in the lower jawbone, move the nerve to one side, and place the dental implant. The nerve will then be repositioned and the surgical area refilled with bone grafting material. After the implant area has healed, the replacement tooth can be secured to the dental implant.
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Pathology
Dr. Swanlund is concerned with his patients' overall health. Through oral pathology, he is able to assess a person's general as well as dental health by observing the tissues and membranes inside the mouth for indications of serious diseases. Discolored tissue (typically, red and white splotches), persistent sore throat, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and lumps inside the mouth are all warning signs that should be taken seriously. Dr. Swanlund can examine changes in the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, and mouth to diagnose and treat oral diseases, including cancer. If you have noticed suspicious symptoms, contact Dr. Swanlund today to schedule an appointment.
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Contact Our Office to Learn More about Oral Surgery
South Sound Dental Implant Centre strives to provide complete care for all of our patients' oral surgery needs. From bone grafting to nerve repositioning, we take pride in offering safe, effective surgery to prepare our patients for dental implant restoration. Serving patients in University Place, Tacoma, Puyallup, Seattle, and beyond, we offer the most advanced treatments for functional dental implants that are inspired by nature. If you are considering dental implants to replace missing or severely damaged teeth, contact Dr. Randal Swanlund today to schedule a consultation.
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