Dental Implants

A dental implant can be an ideal treatment option for missing or broken teeth. The aim is to replace your lost tooth with an artificial tooth that works, looks, and feels natural. At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants (SoCO Perio) in Colorado Springs, CO, we have advanced dental implant mapping technology. This lets us precisely plan your dental implant procedure for optimal and lasting results.

In some cases, you may need advanced periodontal care before your implant surgery. This may include bone grafting to ensure you have sufficient jawbone to support the implant, as well as gum augmentation. Your dental implant periodontist, Dr. Justin Tullis, will then work with your restorative dentist, who will top the implant with a crown. Dental implants don’t get cavities, but they require routine cleaning and professional maintenance to prevent bone loss and infection. Dental implant dentistry is a safe and highly effective treatment option, with a consistently high patient satisfaction rate.

Call to schedule your dental implant surgery appointment at SoCO Perio today:

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What are dental implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium or ceramic material. It is placed into the jaw. Once placed, this artificial root will hold a bridge or a replacement tooth. The birth of dental implants, as they are known today, was pioneered by an orthopedic surgeon, Per-Ingvar Branemark, in 1952. Dental implants are considered the gold standard and most effective procedure for replacing missing teeth. There are two main types of dental implants. They are listed below:

• Endosteal: This type of dental implant is placed in the bone. This implant includes blades, cylinders and screws, which are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Each implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth. This specific kind of dental implant is often used as an alternative for patients who have removable dentures or bridges.

• Subperiosteal: This type of dental implant sets on the bone. It is placed on the bone using metal framework posts that protrudes through the gum and holds the prosthesis. In most cases, this type of dental implant is used by patients who are unable to wear traditional dentures or those who have minimal bone height.

Related Blog Article: Dental Implant Material: Titanium vs Ceramic

Statistics about dental implants

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, more than 150 million people in the U.S. have a missing tooth, and more than 3 million implants were placed in 2019. The success rate of the procedure is 98 percent, according to various scientific reports.

Reference: connect.aaid-implant.org

The dental implant process

The process of getting dental implants involves two separate surgical procedures. They are listed below:

Part One:

The first part of the process is placing the implant into your jawbone. Each person heals differently. However, it typically takes between three and six months for the implant to bond with the jawbone.

Part Two:

The second part of the implant process begins when the implant has successfully bonded to the jawbone. At this time, the periodontist will uncover the implant location and attach a small healing collar and post to the site. You will then see your general dentist to design, build, and fasten a crown to your implant.

The whole dental implant process takes between six and eight months. Although a lengthy procedure, most patients undergo the process without it significantly disrupting their day-to-day lives.

How do I know if I need dental implants?

The following reveals the types of conditions that dental implants can address:

• Missing a Single Tooth: If you are missing only a single tooth, you might think that you aren’t a candidate for a dental implant. However, you can replace a single missing tooth by getting an implant and a crown.

• Missing Several Teeth: If you are missing several teeth, you are an ideal candidate for dental implants. This procedure inserts implants to support new teeth. This procedure can successfully replace several missing teeth.

• Missing All Your Teeth: If you are missing every single one of your teeth, you can get full dentures or implant-supported dentures to replace your teeth.

• Ugly Teeth: You may wish to replace an existing tooth if it has an unsatisfactory appearance.

Who is a candidate for dental implants

You might be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

• have a decent amount of healthy bone in your jaw
• have good oral hygiene
• do not have significant periodontal disease
• want the most natural-looking tooth replacement
• don’t want the discomfort or inconvenience of partial dentures
• want to avoid the dentist grinding down neighboring teeth for a traditional bridge

Implants can also be used for cosmetic dentistry or sedation dentistry purposes. Ultimately, the goal is for your implants to appear as natural as possible.

Related Blog Article: Why Choose Dental Implants?

Is dental implant surgery effective?

Recent research indicates that dental implants are one of the most effective ways of restoring lost teeth. While a fixed bridge remains a viable treatment option in some cases, research indicates that dental implants have higher success rates than fixed bridges. Roughly 98 percent of patients who receive dental implants are satisfied with the results, and 76 percent of patients report being “highly satisfied.” According to people who have had a dental implant procedure, some of the main benefits include:

• Improves ability to chew
• Feels comfortable
• Makes it easier to speak clearly
• Looks realistic
• Are easy to clean

Reference: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Why choose a periodontist for dental implants?

Periodontists are ‘gum and jawbone health experts’ and undergo a significant amount of additional training (over other types of dentists) that includes the following:

• They Know How to Keep Infection from the Implant Site: One of the main risks associated with dental implants is infection. When a site becomes infected, it can be very painful and interfere with the function of your dental implants. Periodontists are specifically trained to treat periodontal disease, reducing your risk of infection.
• They Understand How to Monitor the Implant Site: Periodontists know what to look for in the implant site after a procedure. They are aware of the warning signs to look for regarding potential infections and other complications during and after the implant procedure.

In most cases, your dentist and periodontist will work together as a team throughout the process to ensure you have the best possible outcome.

At what age can dental implants be placed?

There is no age limit for implant surgery as long as the jawbone is healthy. However, you must have a fully developed jawbone to support the implants. Therefore, individuals are usually 17 to 18 years old before they are a good candidate for dental implants. However, each person is different. Therefore, a younger person can sometimes have a jawbone that is sufficiently developed to support an implant. Older individuals are usually the best candidates for dental implants. There have been successful procedures in people in their 80s and even those in their 90s.

Are dental implants permanent?

Dental implants are meant to replace your real teeth. Consequently, they are permanent and don’t need to be removed. If you take care of them properly, your implants might need to be adjusted, but they should last a lifetime.

Does dental implant surgery hurt?

Typically, the pain associated with a dental implant procedure is mild. Of course, if infection sets in, the pain can intensify. However, when all goes as planned, dental implants are a relatively painless procedure. It is usually only immediately after the procedure that a patient might need some pain medication.

Is dental implant surgery safe?

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. The most significant risk associated with dental implants includes the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Implant failure
• Injury to your nerves or sinuses (this is an extremely rare complication)

Implants vs. dentures

If you have lost all your teeth, you have two primary choices. You can either get dental implants or dentures. There are benefits to each. However, dental implants are more like your real teeth, because you don’t have to remove them. They also function in much the same way as natural teeth. The following are some reasons that dental implants are superior to other treatments that serve the role of replacement teeth:

• Long-Term Solution: Bridges only last between five and seven years, and dentures also wear out over time. However, dental implants can last a lifetime if they are appropriately cared for. Therefore, dental implants are a permanent and long-term solution for missing teeth.

• Most Natural Solution: Although you can never restore your natural teeth once they are dead or damaged, dental implants offer you as close to a natural solution as possible. They feel and function just like your natural teeth. That means your smile and ability to eat should be restored to what they were before you lost your teeth.

• Keeps Bones Healthy: When you leave a gaping hole in your mouth where a tooth once was, it can lead to loss and deterioration of your jawbone. This happens because the jawbone naturally deteriorates when it isn’t being used to support your teeth. Dental implants are the only option for restoration that encourages natural bone growth and helps maintain the jawbone’s strength.

• They Are Always in Your Mouth: If your dentures don’t fit just right, they can slip out on you. This is, of course, embarrassing. They also don’t function like your own teeth. In contrast, dental implants are always in your mouth. You don’t have to worry about them falling out or breaking like you do with dentures.

• You Aren’t Limited in What You Can Eat: With certain solutions for missing teeth, such as dentures, you can be limited in what you can successfully eat. Dental implants allow you to eat virtually anything you want, and you can experience the complete taste of the food as well.

• Prevents Damage to Surrounding Teeth: If you have only lost one or a few teeth, not all your teeth, you need to think about protecting the healthy teeth surrounding the empty spaces. When a bridge is placed, which is another treatment option, the surrounding teeth have to be ground down on both sides of the missing teeth. Of course, doing this damages otherwise healthy teeth. Dental implants don’t require you to mess with surrounding teeth as they are installed into the jawbone.

• Best Treatment: The other options for restoring teeth, like bridgework and removable appliances like dentures, aren’t always effective at replacing teeth. Dental implants have a great track record of success, though, making them a more reliable treatment option.

How long do dental implants last?

With proper treatment, the base of your dental implant can last the rest of your life. However, research shows that one in five patients will eventually develop peri-implantitis (a chronic infection around the implant), so follow-up is crucial to catch it early and prevent implant loss. Meanwhile, the crown of the implant may last around 10 to 15 years. Over time, wear and tear can cause the crown to degrade gradually. Therefore, you will need to plan for crown replacements periodically. The good news is that you don’t need surgery for each replacement.

Reference: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

To extend the lifespan of your implants, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene. First, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Get regular checkups every six months. Often, your dentist will recommend an occlusal guard (bite splint) if you have any signs of tooth grinding or clenching. Finally, follow any instructions that come with your implants, such as using a soft toothbrush and wrap-around flossing technique.

Dental implant care

You care for your dental implants just as you would your natural teeth. Therefore, be sure to brush and floss your teeth daily and maintain your regular dental cleanings. You do need to be careful not to scratch your implants, though. During cleanings, your dental hygienist will use specialized tools to clean your implants, as opposed to your regular teeth. Additionally, avoid using abrasive toothpaste on your implants, as it can cause scratches.

Related Blog Article: Tips for Maintaining Dental Implants Long-Term

Do dental implants stain?

Dental implants are made of stain-resistant material. However, they can still become stained. The glaze on the outside of your dental implants is what prevents stains from forming. When this glaze is scratched, stains can then become an issue. As was mentioned above, be sure to keep the glaze in place by preventing scratches. To reduce the risk of staining, limit the following stain-inducing foods and drinks:

• Chewing tobacco
• Cigars or cigarette
• Dark cola
• Red wine
• Berries
• Tea
• Coffee

Average dental implant costs

There can be significant variation in implant costs. The two main components are the surgery and the final restoration (crown or bridge) connected to the implant. Each patient is unique, and variations in the cost may include:

• how much site preparation (bone and/or gum grafting) is needed to place the implant properly?
• does your dentist use premium brand or bargain brand implants?
• is your implant surgeon a specialist or a general dentist?
• do you have unresolved gum disease that must be cleared before placing implants?
• what portion of the cost does your dental benefit plan cover?

When you come in for an exam, we can evaluate your unique situation and give you cost estimates.

Does dental insurance cover dental implants?

We are happy to help you determine the amount of coverage you might have for dental implants. Some dental insurance companies cover dental implants pretty well. Others do not. However, we will help you obtain all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Schedule a consultation

If you are considering dental implants, please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation. We’ll let you know what to expect with dental implants and help you figure out the coverage your dental insurance will provide. The specialists at SoCO Perio in Colorado Springs are committed to helping you restore the function of your teeth. Schedule your consultation today with dental implant periodontist, Dr. Justin Tullis.