Dental Implants

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Cosmetic Dental Care

Dental Implants in Greenwood Village, CO

Missing teeth not only affect your self-confidence, but they also can lead to long-term problems with your oral health. Fortunately, modern dentistry has a collection of ways to replace missing teeth. One of the best in dental implants.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent base for fixed or removable replacement teeth. They are surgical fixtures typically made of titanium and are placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium in osseointegration, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and can also be used to support a full arch of teeth or a denture. They can greatly improve a person’s appearance, speech, and chewing ability.

Why Would Someone Need a Dental Implant?

Dental implants replace missing teeth and help to prevent issues that come from tooth loss. In particular, the implants help prevent bite problems, tooth decay, and gum disease. They also improve the patient’s confidence by restoring the shape of the face and brightening the smile.

How Long Can Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are designed to last for many years. While a 10 -15 year lifespan is common, maintaining proper oral hygiene can extend to 20 years or more.

What are the Main Types of Dental Implants?

Single Tooth Implants

Single-tooth dental implants involve the placement of a single artificial tooth root, typically made of titanium, into the jawbone. The implant is then topped with a natural-looking dental crown to replace the missing tooth. Single-tooth implants are a great alternative to conventional, tooth-supported bridges because they keep a “one tooth problem a one tooth problem” without preparing the neighboring teeth.

Implant-supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge is a type of dental restoration that uses dental implants to support a bridge of replacement teeth. It is typically used to replace multiple missing teeth in a row. The implant-supported bridge consists of two parts: the implant and the bridge. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, implant-supported bridges can be placed without damage to neighboring teeth.

All-on-4,  All-on-X Dental Implants or a Hybrid Prosthesis

All-on-4 dental implants, also known as “teeth in a day,” “same-day teeth,” or a hybrid prosthesis, is a treatment concept that uses four or more dental implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. This technique replaces an entire arch of missing or failing teeth, whether the upper, lower, or both.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

The surgical procedure for installing dental implants is relatively painless, and patients have the option of being sedated during the procedure. It is common to experience slight discomfort, swelling, or bruising, for a few days after the procedure.

dental implant Greenwood Dental Arts in Greenwood Village, CO

What Does the Procedure Look Like?

  • Consultation and planning: Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. They will also take X-rays and impressions of your teeth to plan the implant placement.
  • Surgery: Your surgery visit is coordinated with the surgeon’s office. The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone. A healing period of several months is usually required to allow the implant to fuse with the bone.
  • Abutment placement: Once the implant has healed and fused with the bone, an abutment (a small connector piece) is placed on top of the implant to create a platform for implant crown restoration.
  • Dental crown or dental bridge placement: An impression is taken of the abutment and used to create custom-made replacement teeth that will fit over the abutment and replace the missing teeth.

Advantages and Risks

Dental implants are a fixed solution for missing teeth with many advantages.

  • They look and feel natural: Dental implants are designed to blend in with your existing teeth and feel like your own natural teeth.
  • They are fixed: Dental implants are designed to be a fixed solution for missing teeth and do not need to be removed or replaced like dentures or bridges.
  • They preserve the jawbone: Unlike dentures or bridges, which can cause bone loss over time, dental implants help to preserve the jawbone, maintaining the natural shape of your face and reducing the risk of further bone loss.
  • They can improve speech: Missing teeth can make it difficult to speak; clearly, and dental implants can help to improve speech by providing a stable base for replacement teeth.
  • They improve eating: Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat all the foods you love without restrictions.
  • They promote oral health: Dental implants do not require the reduction of healthy adjacent teeth, and they do not affect the surrounding teeth, unlike traditional bridges.

However, like any other medical procedure, dental implants also have some risks:

  • Failure rate: Though the dental implant success rate is very high, factors such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, and medical conditions can affect the success rate.
  • Infection: Every precaution will be taken; however, with any surgery, there is a risk of an infection developing, leading to delayed healing and, in some cases, implant failure. 
  • Nerve damage: In rare cases, the implant surgery may cause damage to the nerves in the jaw, leading to numbness or tingling in the lips, chin, or tongue. However, careful planning is always done in advance.
  • Sinus problems: Dental implants placed in the upper jaw may sometimes be close to the sinuses, leading to possible sinus problems. However, careful planning is always done in advance.

To better understand dental implants’ benefits, schedule a consultation at Greenwood Dental Arts. Our team will take the time to discuss the benefits and potential risks of dental implant treatment and to ensure that the procedure is appropriate for you and that you receive a great outcome.

Learn More From Greenwood Dental Arts

Dental implants are one of the best long-term solutions to missing teeth. Though artificial, they look and function like the natural teeth you lost. They restore your smile, boost your confidence, and restore your chewing function.

Greenwood Dental Arts, serving Greenwood Village, CO, is a leading provider of dental implants. We use the latest technological advancements to reduce discomfort and improve dental outcomes. Schedule your consultation today.