Colorado Springs Dentists Get Candid About Dental Implant Technology, PART 4

In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to experienced Colorado Springs dentists as a comprehensive solution to missing teeth. Previously, in Part 3, we discussed what patients could typically expect from having dental implants placed. It was also revealed that most procedures seldom take more than one dental appointment and that, in spite of its unfair reputation, implant surgery doesn’t usually leave patients in that much pain!

“No more than a straightforward tooth extraction might,” adds the dentist.

This is the final installment, so let’s wrap up this series by taking a closer look at the more complex dental implant procedures designed to provide patients with a brand new set of teeth.

Can you tell us a little more about the dental implant procedure you might use to give someone a complete set of new teeth?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentists: “At our practice, we like to make use of the “All-on-4” dental implant technique, which, as the name pretty much says, only requires four dental implants to provide patients with a complete set of new teeth. This procedure is considered revolutionary because it overcame many of the problems faced by traditional implant techniques. These achievements enable us to provide patients with beautiful, new, non-removable teeth in just one day with a single surgery, in almost all cases.”

What kinds of problems did these traditional dental implant techniques face?

Colorado Springs Dentists: “First of all, they would often require up to 10 dental implants per jaw in order to give patients a new set of teeth. That works out to be incredibly expensive, especially if you require new teeth in both your upper AND lower jaw. In order to place this many implants, dentists would be forced to break the procedure down into a series of more manageable surgeries and recovery periods. So, patients would be looking at spending up to 18 months in and out of the dental clinic while they gradually receive treatment. Finally, these more traditional techniques frequently required patients to first undergo bone-grafting surgery, owing to the volume of jawbone these patients had lost as a consequence of atrophy.

“When you add together all of the costs of surgery, the number of dental implants and the possible need for bone grafting, it becomes appreciable just why so many patients chose to have dentures placed instead of implants. The journey to fixed oral rehabilitation was just too long, too painful and too expensive.”

And that’s all changed with the “All-on-4”?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentists: “Thankfully yes! The All-on-4 only requires four dental implants per jaw, which can quite easily be done in a single surgery. Also, owing to the careful and strategic planning of this procedure, we can provide most patients with new teeth without the need for painful bone grafting surgery. This means new teeth in one day and at a cost that is tens of thousands of dollars less.”

So the “All-on-4” is the modern standard of treatment for patients who need a full set of teeth?

Colorado Springs Dentists: “We certainly think so, as do most dentists across the country. The outcomes of the All-on-4 are fantastic and we have no shortage of patients who are utterly ecstatic with their new teeth, which look, feel and function just like a complete set of natural teeth.”

A Colorado Springs Dentist’s Comprehensive Guide to Sedation Dentistry, PART 3

This four-part article series provides an in-depth overview of sedation dentistry, what it is, how it works, the benefits it offers and what patients can expect from its different methods of administration.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series on sedation dentistry and the various aspects that patients want and need to know about this essential branch of dental healthcare. Previously, in Part 2, an experienced Colorado Springs dentist explained the many wonderful benefits of sedation, which extend well past the simple act of calming nervous and fearful patients. It also eliminates pain and calms strong gag reflexes, while enabling dentists to perform longer and more complex procedures in a single appointment, rather than breaking it down into smaller and more manageable phases.

Now, let’s take a look at the three primary modes of sedation administration, the procedures involved and what patients can expect.

The Primary Modes of Sedation

• Oral Conscious Sedation

 

Oral conscious sedation simply involves swallowing one or two small pills, depending upon the recommendations of the Colorado Springs dentist. You will be required to arrive for your appointment an hour beforehand and the procedure and sedation will be explained to you in full again.

Once you have taken your pill, you will be left to sit back and relax while the effects kick in. By the time it’s your turn for an appointment, you should be feeling completely relaxed, comfortable and anxiety-free. While you are receiving treatment – even if it’s just a standard dental examination – the dentist will ensure that you’re comfortable and will also closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

“Towards the end of your appointment, you may begin to become more conscious of what’s going on as the sedation effects of the pill wears off,” says a Colorado Springs implant dentist. “You’ll likely feel quite sleepy and won’t remember much from your procedure. Please do make sure to arrange transportation from your dental office to your home, because you won’t be fit for driving whilst under the effects of sedation, even though it’s wearing off.”

• Nitrous Oxide or Inhalation Sedation

 

 

 

The administration of sedative medications – usually Nitrous Oxide or “laughing gas” – via an oxygen mask is a popular method of sedation, especially for kids, nervous patients and for those with a strong gag reflex. Inhalation is suitable for patients between the ages of 5 to 95 years. The procedure, similar to oral conscious sedation, is really very simple:

“Upon arriving for your appointment, we’ll explain to you the entire procedure and what it is you can expect from your treatment,” says a Colorado Springs dental implant dentist. “We’ll also describe what you can expect to feel so that nothing takes you by surprise. Once you are comfortably in the dentist’s chair, we’ll put a small oxygen mask over your nose and mouth, but it won’t only be delivering oxygen to you. We use a mixture of oxygen and a gas called nitrous oxide, which makes you feel totally relaxed, spaced out and anxiety-free.

“Throughout treatment, we will periodically adjust your gas intake so that the calm, sedated state is maintained. In spite of this, you will still be able to respond to our questions and prompts, although you may slur your words! Once your treatment is complete, we’ll reduce the levels of nitrous oxide you’re breathing in until you’re left only with oxygen. We’ll then remove the mask and allow you some time to emerge from the fog of sedation.

“Once again, it’s important that you arrange for transportation home, because although you’ll feel a lot more awake after treatment, you still won’t be fit to drive yourself,” says the Colorado Springs dentist.

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read more about sedation dentistry and what the final mode of administration entails – intravenous sedation – stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.

Colorado Springs Dentists Explain 10 Smile-Preserving Changes You Could Make Today, PART 2

This four-part article series explains 10 changes anyone can make to their daily routine, lifestyle and habits that can help to extend the life and beautiful appearance of their teeth and gums.

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series on the changes you could make today to ensure the long term health of your teeth and the long term beauty of your smile. In our previous post, Part 1, Colorado Springs dentists explained the following three changes that we should all make to our daily routines:

1. Brush your teeth for just a little bit longer each day. 20 Seconds per brush is just not sufficient enough to keep your teeth and gums free from the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
2. Brush your tongue or make use of a tongue-scraper to remove bacteria and food debris from its tiny cracks and crannies. This will also help to keep your breath fresher for longer.
3. See your oral hygienist for a professional teeth cleaning at least once per year. It’s an investment that will help to keep your teeth beautifully clean and your mouth healthier.

Let’s continue looking at the various lifestyle changes you could make to prevent you from needing new teeth.

 

 

Small Changes for Bigger Smiles # 4: Chew Sugar-free Gum

If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after lunch, or you work closely with colleagues and clients and are self-conscious about the quality of your breath, you should keep a pack of sugar-free gum close at hand.

“Chewing gum doesn’t only camouflage bad breath; it actually plays a role in busting it altogether,” say Colorado Springs dental implant dentists. “By stimulating the production of saliva, chewing gum helps to wash away food debris that might otherwise encourage the growth of oral bacteria and taint your breath.”

Chewing gum that contains xylitol, in particular, is great for oral health because it helps to remineralize your teeth after an acidic meal. Acid softens your dental enamel, leaving it more vulnerable to erosion and so, chewing gum that contains xylitol helps to neutralize the PH levels in your mouth and strengthen your teeth.

 

 

Small Changes for Bigger Smiles # 5: Avoid Certain Candies

We all know that a diet high in sugar really isn’t for our oral health, nor is it great for our general health. But if you’ve got a sweet tooth there are certain compromises you can make to limit the impact upon the long-term health of your teeth and gums…

If sugar is your Achilles’ heel, opt for chocolate instead of hard candy, boiled sweets and chewy, sticky treats. Chocolate molecules are covered in fatty compounds, which reduces adhesion and helps your saliva to wash them off your teeth. Chewy, sticky candies – such as caramel, toffee and taffy – can get stuck in the cusps of your molars for much longer and where they can fuel bacterial growth. Hard candy and boiled sweets, on the other hand, can actually damage the enamel of your teeth if you bite down onto them.

“A lifelong addiction to this kind of candy can actually cause tooth decay and, eventually, the need for new teeth,” warn dental healthcare professionals in Colorado Springs. 

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more about the small changes you could make today – changes that could keep your smile beautiful and youthful for much longer – stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

Lost a Tooth? Now What? Colorado Springs Dentists Walk Us Through the Process, PART 4

This four-part article series explains what you should do in the event that you lose one or more of your adult teeth, whether it is the result of an accident or tooth decay.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to a panel of experienced Colorado Springs dentists. In our previous article installment, we delved a little deeper into the exact procedure followed during the replacement of a missing tooth.

Our panel of experts also explained the pain management and sedation techniques typically used by dentists and surgeons. We ended off Part 3 with the revelation that most modern implant procedures can provide patients with implants AND a new tooth on the same day. Let’s get some insight into this before concluding our entire series…

What do you mean by “providing an implant and a new tooth on the same day”? Isn’t a dental implant a replacement tooth?

 

“To be more precise, a dental implant is more like a replacement tooth root, which means that it assumes the role of a natural tooth root and provides support for a new tooth crown. Most modern dental implant procedures are able to provide patients with both the implant (artificial tooth root) and ceramic dental crown (artificial tooth crown) on the same day, although the crown placed is typically a temporary one. Once the gums and jawbone have healed to the satisfaction of your dentist or surgeon, they will remove the temporary crown and replace it with a stronger and more durable, permanent crown,” explain the Colorado Springs dental implant experts.

I won’t have to leave the dentist with a gap in my teeth after dental implant surgery, will I?

“In most cases, no. You can at least be provided with a removable temporary replacement, which will fill the gap left by the missing tooth.”

What if I need more than one tooth replaced? What if a patient has lost most or even all of their natural teeth? How might treatment for advanced tooth loss differ?

“There are a variety of dental implant techniques that can be done to provide edentulous and near-edentulous patients with new teeth and the good news is that one in particular – the All-on-4 protocol – can almost always achieve this in just one day, with a single surgical procedure,” say Colorado Springs dentists. “You will be required to come in for a consultation with your surgeon and this may be followed up by a couple of treatment planning sessions, during which X-rays and molds or impressions will be made of your mouth.”

“The surgery is done during a separate scheduled appointment, which typically the patient is sedated for. A prosthodontist or dentist then attaches a temporary bridge to the implants – complete set of prosthetic teeth – rather than a single dental crown and you’ll then be free to return home. Recovery is typically slightly longer than it is for single dental implant procedures and you may want to take a few days off from work to allow your body the rest it needs to begin healing properly.”

Once a patient’s implants have healed, what will his or her new teeth be like?

 

 

“Dental implants placed by highly qualified and experienced Colorado Springs dentist typically look, feel and function quite similar to natural teeth. So, patients should be able to eat comfortably and manage a much greater diversity of foods; they shouldn’t be constantly aware of their replacement tooth or teeth and they should be able to smile with great confidence!”

Lost a Tooth? Now What? Colorado Springs Dental Implants Surgeons Walk Us Through the Process, PART 1

This four-part article series explains what you should do in the event that you lose one or more of your adult teeth, whether it is the result of an accident or tooth decay.

If the statistics of tooth loss released by the American CDC (Centers for Disease Control) are to be believed, then it would seem that we will all have experience with tooth loss at some stage during our lives. And by tooth loss, we don’t mean the kind involving financial transactions with the tooth fairy! Once all of your adult teeth have emerged, you only have one set to last you a lifetime, so it’s a very big deal when one or more fall out or need to be extract as a result of tooth decay, accidental trauma or gum disease.

What we want to know is what happens now? What’s the step-by-step process for New Jersey residents whose smile has taken a gappy turn for the worse? To answer this pressing question, we spoke to some experienced Colorado Springs dental implants surgeons. This four-part article series presents what they had to say on the matter.

What are the most common reasons Colorado Springs residents come to your practices to have a tooth or several teeth replaced?

“I think most dentists will agree that the greatest cause behind tooth loss is tooth decay. Bad oral hygiene, not seeing the dentist frequently enough for professional preventative care, tooth grinding, smoking, unhealthy eating, excessive drinking and drug abuse can all lead to a greater risk of tooth decay, which, if left untreated, can cause tooth loss,” explain the dental implant surgeons.

“Many of these habits and addictions can also lead to a greater risk of gum disease, which is yet another major health concern in the Colorado Springs and one that ultimately leads to tooth loss and even complete edentulism in the absence of timely treatment. Edentulism is the state of not having any natural teeth left at all.”

What about tooth loss resulting from car accidents, for example? Does that bring a lot of patients to your offices?

“We typically find more people losing teeth from accidental injury sustained in playing sports, especially hockey and competitive combat sports. Sure, many Colorado Springs residents have lost or had teeth badly damaged in car and motorbike accidents, but also from skating, biking and other modes of getting from A to B,” explain the dental implant surgeons. “Our advice for sports players is to always wear a mouth guard.”

So, say I lose a tooth or my dentist extracts it because it simply cannot be saved. What happens now? What should I do?

 

 

“Colorado Springs dentists will discuss your tooth replacement options with you before they extract the problematic tooth. While there are several technologies available, dental implants are considered the best because they look, feel and function more like natural teeth than the alternatives and they tend to last longer too. If you decide to go with dental implants, your dentist may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or elsewhere depending on what’s most convenient for you.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more about the journey involved in getting teeth replaced with dental implants, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.

How a Cosmetic Dentist Can Help You

What does a cosmetic dentist do exactly? Learn how a cosmetic dentist can help you improve your smile.

Oftentimes, when people think of going to the dentist, they conjure up images of getting their teeth cleaned or having cavities filled. However, a cosmetic dentist does much more than help you with your basic dental hygiene. A cosmetic dentist can improve the aesthetics of your smile.

Boost Your Confidence

Simply changing the way your smile looks can dramatically change your appearance and your self-image. If you aren’t entirely happy with the way your teeth look when you speak, smile, and laugh, a cosmetic dentist can transform your smile with a variety of different techniques. Cosmetic dentists in Colorado Springs can also perform general dental procedures, so you can continue to see your cosmetic dentist after any procedures to ensure proper cleaning and care.

 

Are your teeth damaged, stained, misaligned, too small, chipped, discolored, or even missing? A skilled cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs can transform even the “worst” case of bad teeth into a movie star smile that looks natural. Services can include smile rejuvenation, porcelain veneers, crowns, lumineers, gum lift and recontouring, gum bleaching, snap-on smile, dental bridges, teeth whitening, and tooth-colored fillings to help you achieve the look you’ve always dreamed of having.

Fix Crooked Teeth

Misaligned and crowded teeth can place unnecessary stress on your jaw, or even make it difficult to eat or properly keep your teeth clean. They also don’t portray a professional or attractive appearance. A simple procedure such as Invisalign or porcelain veneers can straighten your teeth and dramatically improve the way you are perceived by others when you show your teeth.

If your teeth are discolored from tobacco, tea, coffee, soda, juice, poor oral hygiene, medications, or illness, this can simply be corrected with teeth whitening. Porcelain veneers and crowns may also be an option if your teeth are damaged.

Help For a Gummy Smile

Do your gums show when you smile? This is often referred to as a gummy smile, and it can make your teeth look too small. Upon first glance, it may even appear as if you have no teeth when you’re smiling really big and lots of gum tissue is visible. The great news is that this problem can be corrected. Gum recontouring, gum lift, lip surgery, botox, veneers, crowns, and sometimes even braces are used to correct this embarrassing condition. A cosmetic dentist can help you decide the right option for you.

Are your teeth worn down? This can actually lead to health problems if nothing is done to fix this. Thinning enamel can cause you to become susceptible to tooth decay. Crowns and veneers can correct worn teeth and prevent future health problems.

Do you have large spaces between your teeth that are unattractive and make it difficult to chew your food? Braces and Invisalign are smart options for spaced teeth. Sometimes crowns and veneers are also used.

No More Missing Teeth

Are you missing one or more teeth? This can often be one of the most confidence-lowering cosmetic concerns, but it also presents a health issue. Missing teeth expose your gums to bacteria and plaque, and can actually promote loss of bone tissue in your jaw. Fortunately, dental implants can permanently correct this problem. A dental implant looks and feels just like a natural tooth, and it preserves and protects the health of the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. A cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs can fix your missing teeth problem.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is of course one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures. It can be done much more safely inside a cosmetic dentist’s office than with over-the-counter whitening kits. Teeth whitening is also fairly inexpensive, and when done professionally, the results can last for a long time.

 

The benefits of professional teeth whitening from a cosmetic dentist.

This article explains why professional teeth whitening is safer and more effective than at-home teeth whitening systems.

There is a growing demand for a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures, and thanks to technology this area of dentistry continues to advance with better strategies for creating perfect smiles. Even if you have healthy teeth with no obvious chips, cracks, or cavities, you probably suffer from a bit of staining or yellowing of your teeth. Coffee lovers, tea drinkers, and closet soda addicts will most definitely have some staining. If you’re a health nut with a penchant for drinking green smoothies for breakfast and munching on kale chips at snack time, you might even develop a little bit of a mossy green tint to your teeth. Even your Instagram filter will not be able to make your teeth the sparkly white teeth color you need for your social media profile photos!

Boost your confidence, as well as your following on Instagram and Twitter, with some professional teeth whitening. The difference between professional whitening and an at-home whitening kit is striking. Let’s go over the top four benefits of using a cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs to make your teeth a sparkly movie star

1. Fast and Easy

There are distinct benefits to a professional teeth whitening. You’ll feel relaxed in the dental chair, knowing that an expert cosmetic dentist is helping you attain the perfect shade of white. There is no guesswork involved. There are many whitening agents on the market over-the-counter, but leaving them on too long or choosing too high of a strength of whitener could lead to tooth sensitivity that may be permanent. Obviously, that’s not pleasant. One simple visit to your cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs can whiten your teeth with long-lasting, safe results that won’t damage the enamel on your teeth. If your teeth are unusually dark, you may require two to six visits for optimal results.

2. Control and Guaranteed Safety

A cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs will ask you questions regarding the sensitivity of your teeth, and he or she will examine your teeth and the strength of your enamel. This will help your dentist determine the optimal strength of the solution to use on your teeth, and how long it should be applied (and whether you will require more than one treatment application). With an over-the-counter whitening system, you are largely shooting in shooting in the dark and guessing.

 

3. Movie Star White Guaranteed

If you want your teeth to be the beautiful color of a movie star’s pearly whites, a professional can get you there. With an over-the-counter solution, you probably get what you pay for. Do you think the movie stars whiten their teeth with products from a discount store?

4. No worries about tooth sensitivity and side effects

You may be wary of having your teeth whitened because you may have friends, family, or co-workers who used an at-home tooth whitening system, and now they can’t eat ice cream or drink hot mocha lattes. Many of the homes whitening systems contain a high amount of hydrogen peroxide, which can damage tooth enamel and cause your teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold. Professional cosmetic dentists in Colorado Springs don’t use teeth whitening solutions that can damage your enamel.

 

Dental Implants Dentists in Colorado Springs Talk About Dental Implants, PART 2

This two-part article series provides an overview of dental implants as a sophisticated solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

Welcome to the second installment of this article series on dental implants. In Part 1, a dentist in Colorado Springs explained what dental implants are and how it is they biologically fuse with the underlying jawbone and what the placement procedure involves. Now, we shall take a look at some of the amazing benefits of this teeth replacement technology.

Dental Implants Boast Superior Function and Aesthetics

“Once surgically placed, the dental implant itself isn’t visible since it sits beneath the gums,” explains a dental implant surgeon in Colorado Springs. “What is visible is the custom fabricated dental crown or prosthetic bridge the implant is used to provide a sturdy foundation for. This is individually made to perfectly resemble a missing tooth or set of teeth. Even the ceramics the tooth crown is made from mimics the optical properties of real dental enamel, making the replacement tooth virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth or set of teeth.”

“Furthermore, the fact that dental implants are supported entirely by the jawbone enables the entire tooth replacement device to function like a natural tooth, which enables Colorado Springs residents to bite down with a near normal bite force. Even in cases where patients have had all of their original adult teeth replaced with implants, it’s possible for them to get a strong and healthy bite back thanks to dental implants.”

Dental Implants are Comfortable and Non-Removable

“Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are non-removable and so they typically feel far more comfortable and natural,” explains a dentist in Colorado Springs. “Dentures, which are bulky and rely on the soft gums for support, tend to go hand-in-hand with a great number and variety of problems and complaints.”

These include:

• Sore, inflamed gums,
• Painful oral sores and ulcers,
• “Denture” breath – halitosis,
• Triggered gag reflex,
• Inability to taste food properly,
• Inability to sense texture and temperature properly,
• The inconvenience of cleaning after meals,
• Needing to take your teeth out at nighttime.

Dental implants offer Colorado Springs residents a far more comfortable and sophisticated solution to missing teeth, whether they have lost one, several or even all of their original adult pearly whites.

Dental Implants Promote Excellent Jawbone Health

Unlike tooth-supported bridges and traditional dentures, dental implants replace the root AND the crown of the teeth. Because of this, they provide the jawbone with the functional stimulation it needs to remain strong and vital.

“Bone is just like muscle in that it requires frequent exercise in order to remain healthy,” explains a dental implant dentist in Colorado Springs. “When teeth are lost and left without treatment, or replaced with technologies that only replace the missing crown, atrophy can cause the underlying jawbone to waste away. This loss of bone volume can expose the roots of the neighboring teeth, leaving them more vulnerable to decay, and it can destabilize the entire dental arch.”

A Final Note on Dental Implants

It’s for all of these reasons that Colorado Springs dentists typically recommend dental implants over and above all other teeth replacement technologies. So, if you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, speak to your dentist about dental implants. The benefits aren’t only cosmetic and functional… they’re also comfortable and go a long way to preserve the health of your jawbone.

General Dentistry Professionals in Colorado Springs Talk about Dental Implants, PART 1

This two-part article series provides an overview of dental implants as a sophisticated solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

Tooth loss is a fairly common problem that can happen as one ages. It’s most frequently the result of conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease – conditions that are caused by neglect for proper oral hygiene, a lack of professional preventative healthcare, a bad diet and habits such as tobacco use. Tooth loss can also be caused by accidental trauma and by certain illnesses. Either way, there are a number of teeth replacement solutions on the market, but the one most highly recommended by general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs is dental implants.

In this two-part article series, we shall be taking a look at what dental implants are, how they work and what benefits they can offer Colorado Springs residents as functional and cosmetic solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only devices available that actually replace both the root and the crown of the missing tooth. Removable dentures and tooth-supported bridges only replace the visible portion of the tooth structure, the crown, which can cause problems for Colorado Springs residents in the long run. But before we get to the benefits of dental implants, let’s take a look at the anatomy of this fantastic technology:

“Dental implants are artificial ‘tooth roots’ that are manufactured from medical grade titanium. This is then used to support a ceramic tooth crown,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. “Titanium is an exceptionally strong metal and it is also non-corrosive, stable and non-toxic. The composite materials used to make the tooth crown are chosen for durability and strength, so a patient’s replacement tooth has the potential to last several decades if not a lifetime!”

How Do Dental Implants Work?

“Dental implants are manufactured from medical grade titanium metal, which has the unique property of being 100% biocompatible,” say general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs. “This means that, over the weeks and months following surgery, the jawbone surrounding the implant will actually fuse to it, forming a strong bond that prevents the dental implant from being loose or falling out.”

“Dental implants are surgically placed at a predetermined site in the mouth… usually at the site of the missing tooth or teeth. In the case of whole arch restoration, the positioning of the implants is chosen strategically so that as few implants as possible can be used to provide support for a customized prosthetic dental bridge, which looks like a complete set of teeth and gums,” explain general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs.

“The procedure itself only takes an hour or more, depending upon what a patient is having done and how many teeth they’re having replaced. Recovery only takes a few days, although you will be required to stick to a diet of soft foods for a few weeks while your jawbone heals.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about dental implants & about their benefits over other teeth replacement methods, stay tuned for the second Part of this article series, courtesy of Colorado Springs dentists.

Colorado Springs Dentists Discusses Removable Dentures and Alternatives, PART 2

This two-part article series addresses traditional removable dentures as a solution to multiple missing teeth and edentulism. It then goes on to explore the alternative – dental implants – and why they are regarded as more beneficial to patients.

Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on removable dentures and the more modern teeth replacement technology on the market: dental implants. In Part 1, Colorado Springs dentists discussed what removable dentures are, how they work and what some of the challenges associated with them are. In this article, we shall discuss the more modern alternative – dental implants – and how they offer Pueblo CO residents a far more comfortable, functional and aesthetic solution to rampant tooth loss and edentulism (toothlessness).

What Are Dental Implants?

According to Colorado Springs dentists, dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots. As you can see in the image above, they are tiny screws made from the exceptionally strong metal titanium. These devices are used to replace the roots of missing teeth and then to offer strong support for an overlying dental appliance, such as a ceramic crown or fixed bridge. These restorations replace the visible portion of the missing tooth or teeth.

How Can They Be Used To Replace All Of My Teeth?

Dental implants are popularly used to replace one or two missing teeth, but they can also be used to provide Pueblo CO residents with a complete set of new, non-removable teeth. In these cases four or more dental implants are strategically placed in regions of the mouth that contain a greater volume of strong and healthy bone tissue. A fixed (non-removable) prosthetic dental bridge is then attached to this array of implants, thus providing the patient with a complete set of beautiful teeth again (see image below).

What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?

Unlike traditional removable dentures, dental implants are placed “permanently” in the mouth and the new teeth they support are non-removable. This eliminates many of the challenges and hassles people with dentures have to contend with, such as removing their teeth for cleaning and at nighttime. Dental implants derive all the support they need from the underlying jawbone, as is the case with natural teeth. As a result, Pueblo CO residents are spared all the pain and discomfort caused by bulky dentures pressing down on and rubbing against their gums.

According to dentists in Colorado Springs, some of the other benefits afforded by dental implants include:

• Dental implants feel natural,
• Dental implants support much slimmer and more comfortable replacement teeth,
• They are cared for and cleaned similarly to natural teeth,
• Dental implants enable patients to bite down with greater strength and to eat most of their favorite foods,
• They give patients a more beautiful, natural and confident smile.

Perhaps most importantly, dental implants resume the function of the missing tooth root, which helps to keep the underlying jawbone tissue stimulated. Through this stimulation, jawbone health is preserved, which prevents the early onset of aging through bone volume loss. Wearing removable dentures does nothing to prevent atrophy and the loss of bone volume in the jaw explains why denture wearers typically get that aged, sunken appearance around the mouth.

In Conclusion

Dental implants offer Pueblo CO residents a much better, more functional, comfortable and aesthetic solution to missing teeth. They also help to promote jawbone health, which prevents the deterioration of one’s natural youthful facial contours. It’s for these reasons and many more that Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists tend to recommend implants to those in need of new teeth.