Dental Implants in Salem, OR

In the last quarter of a century, dentistry has come a long way, especially with the invention of dental implants. At one point, there was no choice but to suffer with the pain and appearance of decayed, damaged, and missing teeth. Dental implants restore the appearance of lost teeth, while also strengthening your jawbone and gum health. Dr. Caleb Coombs and his team at Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center in Salem, OR have the knowledge and experience to provide the highest quality dental implant services.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an innovative solution for restoring teeth that are lost due to extraction or other factors. They are also chosen by many people for cosmetic reasons, as they provide patients with a beautifully white and uniform smile.

A dental implant is comprised of three sections:

  • A titanium post. This post is inserted into your gum at locations that are predetermined based on where the implants are needed and how many you are need.

  • A crown. Crowns are used to restore the visible portion of the tooth.

  • An abutment. This is the part of the implant that affixes the post and the crown together.

During the first part of the procedure, the titanium posts are inserted into your jawline. These are left to heal for several months, while a process called osseointegration occurs. This is when the titanium post naturally fuses to the jawbone, creating an ultra-strong anchor for your new teeth. While waiting for this to happen, Dr. Coombs will fit you with temporary crowns.

During the second part of the procedure, your color-matched final crowns are secured in place using the abutments. Implants are available as single teeth, or in multiples in what is often referred to as a dental implant bridge. In these instances, it is not necessary to have one titanium post for every implant.

Once in place, dental implants look, feel and function just as your natural teeth would.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants continue to be improved upon and become more widely used and have a variety of benefits compared to dentures.

  • Permanence. Unlike dentures which can embarrassingly slip and slide, and often need to be removed when eating certain foods, dental implants are permanently affixed in your mouth.

  • Durability. Implants are extremely durable thanks to their ultra-strong titanium anchors. With a robust oral health care regime, dental implants could last for the rest of your life.

  • Discreet. Dental implants are often completely imperceptible to others. They not only feel and act just like natural teeth, but the color-matching process means that they also look completely normal. Oftentimes, people cannot tell when you have dental implants.

  • Comfortable. Unlike dentures, which can move around and cause discomfort, implants are so comfortable they will feel just like normal teeth.

  • Improved Health. Removing decayed and damaged teeth from your mouth is vital for your long-term oral and general health and wellbeing.

  • Success Rate. Dental implants currently have the highest success rate of any surgically implanted device, with around 98% of procedures considered successful.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

Dental implant surgery is always carried out under anesthetic. You should not feel any pain during the procedure. After your procedure, you might experience some discomfort. It will be advised to eat only very soft food during the recovery period.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The majority of patients we see for dental implants are suitable candidates. However, it will be necessary for you to have a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Coombs in our Salem, OR office, before committing to any dental treatment or surgery.
Patients who might not be viable candidates for dental implants, include patients with the following conditions:

  • Heavy smokers

  • Pregnant

  • Have jawbones that are still developing

  • Who have immune conditions or suppressed immune conditions

  • Have uncontrolled diabetes

  • Are alcohol or substance abusers

  • Have received a high dose of radiation to the head or neck (for example, radiotherapy for cancer)

  • Are diagnosed as Hemophilia

For implant treatments to see success, patients must have healthy gums and reasonable jaw bone density. If imaging shows jaw bone density to be low, a patient may be refused dental implant surgery.

Choosing Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center in Salem, OR for Dental Implants

​​​​​​​Are you looking for an experienced dental implant provider in Salem, Oregon? Dr. Caleb Coombs and his team at Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center offer compassionate, experienced, and reliable dental implant treatments to patients suffering from tooth loss. Contact us at 503-966-8400 and schedule a consultation appointment today.


Dr. Caleb Coombs, DMD​​​​​​​