Dental Implants – Colorado Springs

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your initial consultation, you can expect a few things to happen:

• We will examine your mouth and take some images of your jawbone to determine if you are currently a candidate for dental implants. (If you are not a candidate, we may recommend preliminary treatments that will help you qualify for implants. For example, you might need a bone graft or gum disease treatment.)
• We will learn a bit about your goals, budget, and habits.
• We will answer your questions and start designing your personalized tooth replacement treatment plan.

Dental Implant Surgery

Because our team performs the dental implant surgery in-house, you can avoid the stress and inconvenience that come with visiting an outside specialist.

The surgery itself is pretty straightforward. First, we will numb your mouth in order to make sure your experience is as comfortable as possible. Then, we will make some incisions in your gums and insert your implants into your jawbone at their pre-planned positions. We will finish by closing the incisions. After the procedure is complete, we will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions. Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work within a few days of their procedure.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Once your implants are in place, a biological process known as osseointegration will begin. Essentially, your jawbone will fuse with your implants and allow them to act as strong, sturdy prosthetic tooth roots. Osseointegration takes place over the course of a few months.

After adequate osseointegration has occurred, we may need to perform a second minor surgery. We will expose the tops of your implants and place healing caps on them. Thereafter, we can attach abutments (small connector pieces that will keep your new teeth in place). Some patients receive abutments at the same time as their initial surgery, so a second procedure is not always necessary.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

To design the crown, bridge, or denture that will get attached to your implants, we will use a sophisticated digital scanning system to create an impression of your mouth. The impression will be sent to a trustworthy laboratory, which will then create your beautiful new teeth.

Once your restoration is ready, we will verify that it meets our high quality standards before we attach it to your implants. Once your new teeth are in place, you might experience a bit of tenderness in your gums, but you will not have to worry about a lengthy recovery period. You can start using your restored smile right away!

Day-to-Day Benefits

Dental implants might improve your daily quality of life in a number of ways:

• You can eat anything. Virtually no foods are off-limits with dental implants, so you can feel free to enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet. And, of course, there is nothing wrong with the occasional treat!
• Easy maintenance. Caring for dental implants is neither complex nor overly time-consuming. In fact, in many ways, it is similar to caring for natural teeth.
• Clear speech. Implants can make it easier for you to enunciate your words, so you can speak with both clarity and confidence.
• A beautiful smile. Implant restorations are custom-crafted for you. They blend in seamlessly with the teeth around them and provide you with a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Health Benefits

Your health may benefit in a few different ways after you receive dental implants:

• Jawbone preservation . Dental implants replace both the crown and the root of missing teeth. This makes them extremely sturdy, and the special bond that they form with the jaw helps to prevent bone loss and preserve the natural shape of your face.
• Better digestion . Digestion starts in the mouth. The improved chewing power that you enjoy with dental implants can help your body to benefit fully from the foods you eat.
• Protection for remaining natural teeth . Implants can protect your remaining natural teeth by stopping them from drifting out of place. Plus, unlike with dental bridges, the implant treatment process does not usually require modification of nearby teeth.
• Emotional wellness . A strong and confident smile may allow you to thrive in social situations, which can benefit your mental and emotional health.
• A longer life . Did you know that extensive tooth loss is associated with a reduced life expectancy? Rebuilding your smile with dental implants might lower your risk of health problems that could shorten your life.

Long-Term Benefits

Dental implants start to provide benefits right away, and they can continue to work to your advantage for many years to come.

• With proper care, dental implants may last an entire lifetime. The restorations on top of them are also very durable.
• Monetary value. Although implants cost more upfront than other types of tooth replacement, their cost per day over the course of a few decades makes them an excellent value.
• Save time. Because dental implants are easy to maintain, you may seldom (if ever) have to worry about making unplanned trips to visit our office.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

You may be a good candidate for dental implants if:

• You are in fair overall health. You should be well enough to undergo minor surgery.
• Your oral health is sound. You should be free of active gum disease and other oral conditions that could adversely affect your implants.
• Your jawbone is healthy and strong. You should have adequate bone density to support your prosthetic tooth roots.

If you are unsure of whether you are qualified for dental implants, visit us for a consultation. Most adults with missing teeth do qualify for this treatment, either immediately or after preparatory procedures.

Missing One Tooth

If you are missing just one tooth, our team will place a single dental implant in your jaw. Later, after a recovery period, we will restore the implant with a single crown. This is a fairly straightforward procedure that is superior to a traditional fixed bridge in multiple ways. For example, an implant does not usually require that the adjacent teeth be filed down, so you can keep as much healthy dentition as possible. Plus, since implants rebuild lost teeth from the roots up, you can expect optimum stability, function, and aesthetics.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you have two adjacent missing teeth, we may be able to place a single dental implant. It will get a crown on top of it, and the crown will support a pontic (artificial tooth) to finish filling in the empty space.

If you have three or more adjacent missing teeth, you may need two dental implants — one at each end of the empty space. They can support a bridge that fills in the gap and improves your oral function.

If your missing teeth are not adjacent to one another, we might place multiple single implants or suggest that you receive an implant-supported partial denture.

Missing All Teeth

If you are completely edentulous (missing all teeth) in either your upper or lower arch (or both), we can provide implant dentures. There are a few different types of implant dentures. For example, you may qualify for a permanent prosthetic that is only removed when you visit us for checkups and cleanings. Alternatively, you might choose a removable denture that you can take out of your mouth every day. The best type of prosthetic for you will depend on your jawbone density, budget, and personal preferences. Our team can help you navigate your treatment choices and settle on the most suitable option.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Some patients need preliminary treatments before they qualify for dental implants. For example, you might require a bone graft, tooth extractions, or gum disease therapy. Each of those services comes with its own fee.

The implant surgery itself has a separate cost. Since we perform this procedure in-house, you will not have to worry about dealing with the pricing structure of an outside specialist. We always strive to charge reasonable fees for every treatment we offer.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Some facets of your treatment that could affects its price include:

• The number of dental implants you require.
• The manufacturer/brand that provides your dental implants.
• The size and type of the restoration that goes on top of your implants. For example, a single crown costs less than a complete denture.

Our practice always strives to use top-quality materials. If you have questions about where your prosthetics are coming from, you are welcome to ask.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants can seem pricey, but the truth is that they are actually a great value in a couple of different ways:

• Dental implants can last for decades, so their cost-per-day over the course of their lifespan is actually quite low. That is in contrast to traditional dentures, which usually need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years or so.
• Health support. Dental implants support your oral and overall health, which may help to keep your medical and dental bills under control.

Most people who invest in dental implants have no regrets about their decision!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Some dental insurance plans cover implants, while others do not. You will need to check the details of your policy to see how it applies. If your plan does not cover the implants themselves, it might help you out with other aspects of your care, such as preliminary procedures or your final restoration. Our team welcomes insurance, and we will be happy to help you maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Beyond insurance, there are a few provisions that might make it easier to afford your dental implants:

• Most patients qualify for low-interest financing through CareCredit, a third-party lender. The application process is easy; our team will be happy to walk you through it.
• Anderson Family Dental Plan. This discount plan provides reduced fees for virtually all of the services available in our office. Signing up is easy, and you can start using your benefits right away!