Enhance Your Smile Permanently with Dental Implants

Missing a tooth or two (or several) can be more than just a cosmetic inconvenience. There are practical negative consequences to missing teeth, which have everything to do with your dental health and the way you live. For starters, you have to stop or reduce eating hard food and change the way you chew. The way you talk and sound will be affected as your gums progressively recede. Without a tooth root to secure, your jaw bone will start to shrink and weaken, causing your cheeks and lips to eventually sag.

Dentures are the usual solution, though it’s far from ideal since they lack the bite power of real teeth and do nothing to stop gum recession and bone loss in the jaw. As a result, denture wearers find that the list of food they can eat gets softer as time goes on because the dentures remain the same while their jaw bone continues to change for the worse. Fortunately, the latest advances in cosmetic dentistry mean that you don’t have to settle for mediocre results. Dental implants are considered the optimal solution for replacing missing teeth: they are permanent with proper care and hygiene, and they rival natural teeth in strength and looks.

As Good as the Real Thing? Considering the Benefits of Dental Implants

Though the idea of dental implants may sound intimidating, it can actually be a short procedure. Some patients require only one or a few days of recovery depending on the individual condition. A dental implant is made with a titanium post, which is integrated into your jawbone on one end. At the other end is the abutment, which secures the prosthetic tooth to your mouth. The result is a natural-looking smile that’s as strong and secure (sometimes even more so) as the real thing. The advantages of dental implants include:

  • Preserving or restoring your facial structure
  • The cessation of additional bone loss and gum recession
  • The creation of a secure base for a single or full bridge
  • More secure dentures without the hassle of glues
  • Keeping remaining teeth in place
  • Restoring chewing and speaking ability back to normal
  • Permanence under normal circumstances

What to Expect from a Dental Implant Procedure

The severity of your individual condition generally determines the length of your treatment. Some situations are mild enough for same-day dental implants, which means that by the end of the day, you can eat, drink and speak as you did before losing your tooth. More severe cases, however, may require 3 to 6 months of healing time before the final crown can be placed.

Here at Glacier Creek Dental, we carefully assess your condition before treatment is implemented. Your dental implant and prosthetic tooth are created with the help of advanced computer imaging, so it will fit naturally with the rest of your teeth. The procedure should be painless once anesthesia is administered, which is concluded with a temporary or final prosthetic.

The Benefits Of Dental Implants

Dental implants are unmatched by any other tooth restoration treatment, especially dentures. They have a range of unique benefits.

  • Permanence. Once your tooth implants are in place, they are a permanent part of your mouth. They will not slip or slide around like dentures, and you won’t have to worry about taking them out at the end of the night. This can help make you much more confident in social situations.
  • Discretion. Implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. In fact, even some of your closest friends might not realize your dental implant is prosthetic after your dental implant surgery.
  • Comfort. Dentures can rub your gums uncomfortably and make them sore and irritated. With dental implants, though, there is no undesired movement. Your dental implants from Glacier Creek Dental will feel so secure that you’ll soon forget they aren’t your natural teeth.
  • Durability. Since dental implants are anchored into the jawbone with titanium posts, they are incredibly durable and able to withstand strong bite pressures. If you follow a healthy oral care routine and attend check-ups with your local dentist regularly, there is a good chance your tooth implants will last a lifetime.
  • Success. Titanium is a biocompatible material that is rarely rejected by the body. This is a major contributing factor to the success rate of dental implant surgery, which is currently around 98 percent.
  • Long-Term Oral Health. By removing decayed and damaged teeth and replacing them with tooth implants, you can help protect your long-term dental health. Dental implants can strengthen your jawbone overall and prevent other teeth from becoming decayed and lost over time.
  • Improved Speech. Removable dentures or untreated tooth loss can make it difficult to pronounce words confidently and easily. It is not uncommon for denture patients to complain about mumbling and slurring their speech out of fear that the dentures will slip out. Dental implants plug gaps that might cause whistling, and because they are firmly rooted in your jaw, you can speak clearly.
  • Improved Digestion And Eating. When you get a dental implant surgery, your local dentist will use tooth implants to restore your bite pressure, allowing you to continue to eat the foods you love. With improved chewing function, it is much easier to chew your food effectively for better digestion. Dentures can also make it more difficult to taste your food. With dental implants, you will be able to enjoy the full flavor of foods.
  • Prevention Of Shifting Of Natural Teeth. When you lose a tooth, your neighboring teeth shift to try and fill in the gap. Dental implants take the place of the missing tooth root, which keeps the neighboring teeth from trying to move into the empty spaces.
  • Improved Confidence. Is tooth loss affecting your self-esteem? You’re not alone. When your appearance is hindered by tooth loss, it can be difficult to smile with confidence. It’s also not uncommon for denture patients to feel insecure when talking, eating, or laughing, primarily out of fear of dentures slipping out. Dental implants can restore not only your smile but also your self-confidence.

Candidacy For Dental Implant Surgery

Most patients with tooth loss or extensive tooth decay can benefit from dental implants. However, the following conditions might affect your candidacy for dental implant surgery:

  • Heavy smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Immune disorders
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Unhealthy gums and low jaw bone structure

Because dental implants require surgery, you will need to take precautionary steps to make sure your mouth heals efficiently afterward. Healthy gums and reasonable jaw bone structure are also essential for your implant treatment to be successful. If X-ray imaging shows your jaw bone structure is low, you might need a supplemental bone graft.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

Making a big decision regarding your dental health can be a confusing process. Despite the obvious benefits of dental implants, you may be concerned about insurance or financing. Perhaps you’re thinking that it may be unnecessary for your condition. Maybe you’re worried that you’re a bad candidate for dental implants due to other health issues, such as advanced periodontal disease or diabetes. Whatever your concerns may be, we’re here to help. Call our Fort Collins office today at (970) 267-0993, and our patient liaison will be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment at your request. You can also send a contact request online at your convenience.