What Are Dental Implants?
Experience Dental - Dental Implants FAQs
Experience Dental - What is a dental implant?
Experience Dental - Can anyone get dental implants?
An implant is a small metal screw that replaces a missing tooth. During a brief surgical procedure, the dentist places the implant into the bone beneath your gums, where the tooth once was. The implant serves as a natural tooth root and is topped with a dental crown to look and feel like a real tooth.
Getting dental implants is a big decision. If you’re considering one but aren’t sure what to expect, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your dental treatment.
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How Dental Implants Can Save Your Smile
Your natural teeth play a key role in maintaining the height and shape of your smile, allowing you to eat and speak comfortably. Losing even one tooth can cause your remaining teeth to shift, leading to alignment issues and increasing your risk of oral health problems. A gap in your smile can affect your oral health, the appearance of your face, and your overall quality of life.
One major consequence of tooth loss is bone resorption. When teeth are missing, the jawbone no longer receives stimulation, causing the bone to dissolve over time. This can lead to a shortened jaw and chin, resulting in wrinkles and a sunken appearance in your cheeks and lips.
Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. By replacing missing teeth with implants, you can prevent or correct these issues, preserving both your smile’s health and appearance.
The Long-Term Advantages of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can be a blow to your confidence and lead to various health issues. A missing tooth can make your bite uncomfortable, make it difficult to eat your favorite foods, and may result in bone loss or shifting teeth.
- Restore Your Natural Appearance: Dental implants look and feel just like your own teeth. Custom-made to blend seamlessly with your smile, implants are sized, shaped, and colored to match your natural teeth, giving you a perfect, natural-looking result.
- Feel Confident in Your Comfort: Once placed, a dental implant fuses with your jawbone as it heals, becoming a permanent solution. Whether a crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures, your implant will stay in place, allowing you to smile, laugh, and eat comfortably without worrying about shifting teeth or pain.
- Improve Bone Strength: When teeth are lost, the supporting jawbone can weaken over time. Dental implants stimulate new bone growth, strengthening the bone structure and preventing further atrophy.
Dental implants are a long-term solution that feels natural and can last for decades with proper oral hygiene.
Dental Implant Restorations
A restoration is the “false tooth” that covers the implant, providing a natural look. While the implant itself is hidden, the restoration is what gives the appearance of a new, fully functional tooth.
- Dental Crown: The most common implant restoration, covering a single-tooth implant.
- Dental Bridge: Used to fill gaps where multiple teeth are missing. A dental bridge can replace several teeth with just one or two implants. A full implant-supported bridge can replace an entire arch of upper or lower teeth, supported by four or more implants.
- Implant Denture: Enhance the stability of removable dentures by attaching them to two small implants for a more secure fit.
Consulting with a dental professional specializing in Dental Implants in Thornton will help determine the most suitable restoration option based on your specific dental needs and goals.
A New Life With Dental Implants Awaits!
Your smile will never be the same after getting a dental implant—it’ll be even better!
Dental implants are easy to care for. Simply brush and floss your implant daily, and take precautions to protect it during sports. Regular checkups are also essential to ensure your implant stays healthy.
In return, your dental implant can give you many years of strong, happy, and beautiful smiles!
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How It Feels
While having a metal implant inserted into the bone of your mouth may sound intimidating, the procedure is typically much more comfortable than expected.
We begin by numbing your mouth with a mild anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the surgery. Thanks to advanced dental technology, the implant can be placed quickly, accurately, and with minimal invasiveness, resulting in less discomfort and a faster recovery.
Some patients report feeling relaxed or even sleepy during the brief half-hour it takes to place the implant. The most discomfort may come from holding your mouth open, but that’s about it.
It’s normal to experience some swelling, mild discomfort, or bruising in the hours following the procedure. However, the pain is manageable, and we’ll provide you with instructions to help minimize discomfort before the anesthetic wears off. Your surgical site should begin feeling better within a week.
It’s worth noting that dental implants have a nearly 95% success rate, making this one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.
What to Expect on Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The dental implant placement process is more comfortable than you might think.
Assessment
Your journey begins with a dental implant consultation to determine if implants are right for you. During this visit, your dentist will take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan of your jaw to evaluate the bone tissue and plan your treatment. Dental scans or impressions will help determine the best angulation for your implant.
Inserting the Implant
We’ll administer an anesthetic to numb the surgical site completely. The dentist will create a small hole in your gums and jawbone to place the implant post. Depending on the case, sutures may be used to close the gums.
Finalizing the Restoration
After the implant is placed, you’ll return home to allow it to heal over the next few months. Once healing is complete, your dental restoration will be ready. We’ll place the restoration, and you’ll leave with a fully functional, brand-new tooth.
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to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of Dental Implants in Thornton
In Thornton, the cost of dental implants typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more for a single implant. For full-mouth reconstructive dental implants, prices can range from $6,000 to $60,000 or higher. A full set of implant-supported dentures generally averages around $30,000. Exact pricing can only be provided after an in-person consultation, as each case is unique and depends on several factors.
Factors Affecting Cost:
- Type and Number of Implants: Based on your specific needs.
- Materials and Supplies: The quality and type of materials used in the procedure.
- Experience of the Dental Team: The expertise and skill of the professionals involved.
- Location and Complexity: The location of the surgery and the complexity of the procedure.
- Recovery Time: Post-operative care and follow-up.
Since every case is different, it’s important to consult with a dentist for an oral exam to discuss your individual situation and explore various treatment options. We’ll provide you with a detailed, accurate quote tailored to your needs.
Other Solutions for Missing Teeth
For gaps caused by one to three missing teeth, dental bridges may be a suitable option. Extensive tooth loss may require dental prosthetics or removable dentures. When comparing costs, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits: while dental implants might require a higher initial investment, they offer greater durability and security than bridges or dentures. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, requiring the same routine care and dental exams as natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most adults in good oral and overall health are candidates for dental implants. A consultation with a dentist will assess factors such as jawbone density, gum health, and medical history to determine suitability.
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Maintaining routine oral hygiene practices and attending regular dental check-ups are essential for their longevity.
The timeline varies based on individual needs and healing times. On average, the process takes several months from implant placement to final restoration. Immediate loading implants may shorten this timeframe.
Bone grafting techniques can often augment insufficient bone structure, making dental implants feasible. Your dentist will assess bone density during the initial consultation to determine the best approach.
Yes, dental implants are custom-designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth in color, shape, and alignment, providing a natural-looking smile enhancement.
Coverage varies by insurance provider and individual policy. Some plans may cover a portion of the implant procedure, while others may exclude it entirely. It’s important to review your policy details and discuss coverage options with your provider.
