The son of an Air Force physician, Dr. Hank Willis spent his early years all over the country, as well as abroad. He lived in such places as Texas, North Carolina, Maine, Mississippi, Germany, Michigan, New Mexico, and Washington. These formative years in different places gave him an appreciation for people from all walks of life, amiable adaptability in unfamiliar circumstances, and confident decision-making skills. This nomadic beginning sparked a lifelong quest for travel and adventure, but it also drove Dr. Willis to seek out a place in which to settle permanently. He was tired of moving every 2-4 years!
In 2003, Dr. Willis graduated from the University of Washington dental school in Seattle. He then completed a one-year General Practice Residency, also in Seattle, before moving his young family to beautiful Bonners Ferry, Idaho in July 2004. He quickly decided he never wanted to leave. After serving the community for almost 3 years at a non-profit clinic, he opened the doors to his private practice in 2007.
Dr. Willis goes to great lengths to stay current with the latest advancements in high quality dentistry. He attends continuing education courses annually, and he is constantly seeking ways in which to educate himself and his staff in order to provide an unrivaled level of care. The office is equipped with digital x-ray equipment, which allows for greater diagnostic accuracy and a greatly reduced level of radiation exposure. They also utilize digital charts and are moving toward becoming a paperless office.
Dr. Willis truly cares for the comfort of his patients. While his focus is on excellent care, he has a special gift for delivering his services with empathy and gentleness. He and his staff strive for the entire experience to be a positive one, from the moment a patient steps into the waiting room until the completion of treatment.
When he's not in the office, Dr. Willis can be found spending quality time with his four children: Eika, Henry, Evangeline, and Jude. They enjoy hiking around the beautiful mountains, skiing, ultimate frisbee, and the little things in life. At times during the fall Dr Willis disappears into the woods for hunting.
At the core of our dental practice is a friendly team of professionals that are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health. We view each patient as a unique individual, and tailor each treatment to your specific needs. As part of our commitment to providing close, personalized attention to every patient, we want to encourage patient communication. Please know that we are here to provide outstanding patient care, and that we value the trust you have placed in us.
Dental Implants are small titanium 'fixtures' that take the place of the natural root of the tooth and are gently implanted into the bone, using local anesthesia, these very tiny titanium roots actually bond or integrate with a patient 's bone, more securely than natural root would. Often an osseointegrated dental implant placed by your dentistis more stable than a natural tooth 's root. Upon these implants, we can build permanent teeth, custom designed and shaded to aesthetically suit each patient 's distinctive facial requirements.
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
There are a number of reasons why you should consider a dental implant: Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is. There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of your dental implants. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have a doctor examine your mouth. After a thorough diagnostic examination, your dentist will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Your dentist is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. Health is more of a determining factor than age, If youre healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, youre probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate dental implant treatment. Your dentist will determine if your a candidate for dental implants after careful evaluation of your dental& health history.
Improved appearance: When you lose the entire tooth - crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge doesnt.
Preserve natural teeth: With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
When dental implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Today, state-of-the-art guided surgical techniques are convenient alternatives to place dental implants and allow you to have the dental implant placed in a single session using keyhole surgery. This new method has significantly simplified the procedure, for both patients and dentists. The major advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This significantly reduces the healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques.
The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, your are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort then placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Your doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur. Ask your dentist to recommend another patient who has already had tooth replacement therapy to assess their personal experience.
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller. You should expect to be able to work the next day.
Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. See your dentist in six months, or more frequently if so advised.
Bonners FerryDental Implants - Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.