Bellingham Dental Implants

Dr. Eric McRory is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Implants.


Q. What are dental implants?

A. Dental implants are small metal inserts which replace the roots of missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw bones.  They can be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or as support/stabilization of dentures.


Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?

A. Benefits of Dental Implants:
•         In cases where an implant is chosen in place of a traditional "fixed bridge", they eliminate the need to alter healthy teeth
•         They help to prevent bone loss
•         Their stability allows patients to eat whatever they want, rather than what they have to
•         In many cases, they provide better esthetics than alternative treatments, such as bridges
•         They are often less time-consuming than other treatments
•         They are not prone to tooth decay like natural teeth


Q. How long does an implant last?

A. How long an implant lasts is dependent on multiple factors including but not limited to:
•         Biting forces on the implant
•         The health of the patient
•         The type and quality of bone that the implant was placed into; (for instance hard vs. soft bone or thick versus thin bone)
•         The age of the patient
There are patients out there who have had implants for 30 years or more, however these patients are rare, since implants did not start becoming common until the 1980s.  With many advances in implant technology, I’m sure we will see many more in the future that will last longer than 30 years.


Q. What are implants made of?

A. The first generation of implants, starting in the 1960s were made of pure Titanium, however most modern implants are made of an alloy of Titanium and other elements.


Q. Who is a candidate for implants?

A. Most healthy adults are candidates for dental implants.  People who are not good candidates include:
•         Diabetics
•         Smokers
•         Those who have been on or who are currently taking Osteoporosis inhibiting drugs, such as Fosamax or Boniva
•         Those who have been missing teeth for too long, (and have therefore lost too much bone)
•         Children and adolescents who have not finished bone maturation


Q. How are dental implants placed?

A. Most dental implants are placed under local anesthetic, like the type of anesthetic that would be used to do a filling.  After the area where the implant will be placed is numb, a small hole is made in the jaw bone that is roughly the size of the root that the implant is replacing.  The implant is then placed into this hole, and the bone is allowed to heal around it.  After about 3-6 months of healing, the bone firmly holds the implant just like it did the roots of the missing tooth.  Once it’s secure in the bone, a crown can be attached to the implant that looks and functions like the original tooth.


Q. How long does it take?

A. The first appointment, for the placement of a single implant, usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer in certain situations. Multiple implants would take more time. The time for the subsequent appointments depends on what the implant(s) will be used for.  In most single-implant situations there is about an hour of time at the dental office needed to complete the crown which attaches to the implant.


Q. How to contact Dr. McRory if we have further questions?

A. To reach Dr. McRory call Northside Dental Care at 360-676-1138, email the office at drmcrory@northsidedentalcare.net, or visit the website at www.northsidedentalcare.net.  We are also happy to answer questions in person at our office.  If you would like to meet the doctor, visit the office, or inquire about any of the services we offer, please contact us so we can set up a brief consultation.