The best solution to replace missing teeth, dental implants can simulate the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. Implants can help preserve the health of neighboring teeth, maintain bone structure, contribute to an improved ability to chew, and provide patients with the confidence to smile.
For most adults, implants represent a permanent solution — one designed to last for decades with routine dental care and good home hygiene.
At Waimea Dental Studio, Dr. Justin Chan pairs guided implant surgery and digital dentistry with the personalized care that defines our practice. Every implant plan begins with a conversation about your unique needs, your long-term oral health goals, and the treatment timeline that fits your life.
Most healthy adults are candidates for implants. During your visit, Dr. Chan will evaluate the health of your gums, the volume and density of the jawbone that will serve as the foundation for the implant, and how your bite comes together. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or active gum disease can affect healing, so treating those first is often part of the plan.
If you are weighing implants against a bridge or denture, we will walk you through the effectiveness, cost, and expected lifespan of each option so you can make the decision that fits your health and your budget.
Waimea Dental Studio provides dental implants in Waimea, HI, serving patients across the Big Island community — including Waikoloa, Kohala, and Honoka’a. Call 808-885-8465 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium that are placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth in the mouth. After placement, the anchors will begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.
An implant supported bridge is a restorative solution for spaces where three or more adjacent teeth are missing. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the bridge that provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for a patient’s natural teeth.
Because of the natural look and feel and the functional stability provided by the implants, implant supported bridges are an effective solution to replace multiple missing teeth.
A dental implant supported bridge replaces missing teeth by placing two or more dental implants to support the bridge instead of the adjacent teeth. These implants avoid putting any additional stress on your natural teeth and help preserve the health and function of the surrounding bone tissue and teeth.
For patients missing many or all of their teeth, implant retained or implant supported dentures may be an alternative to traditional dentures. These solutions can simulate the look and feel of natural teeth and stay fixed in place with the implants acting as anchors. Using implants for retention or the support of dentures allows for a smaller and more comfortable base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use.
An implant supported denture requires the placement of four to six dental implants as “anchors” to provide a sturdier fit and minimal mobility for your denture. With implant supported dentures, there is no plate covering the roof of the mouth, so speaking and eating are more natural and comfortable than with traditional dentures. For qualifying patients, our doctors may be able to complete the removal of all teeth and the placement of a temporary arch on the same day.
Available for full or partial dentures, implant retained dentures require the placement of two or more dental implants to secure the dentures in the mouth. This type of denture will “snap” onto the implants and can be removed for cleaning at night.
3D technology allows our doctors to more accurately place dental implants using minimally invasive techniques that improve patient comfort and healing while maintaining the highest standard of treatment and restoring your smile.
The 3D digital guidance provided by this specialized software helps our team plan the implant placement procedure. It also allows the patient to visualize the implant’s future location and its support for the final restoration. Once planning is complete, our team uses this 3D-guided implant technology to create a customized surgical guide that provides greater precision and accuracy during implant placement.
How to care for your oral health after implant surgery
