Dental Implants
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RiNo Dental
General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Denver, CO
Missing teeth affect nearly every aspect of your life, from your ability to chew to your speech patterns. At RiNo Dental in Denver, Colorado, our team understands the challenges that missing teeth can present. That’s why they offer dental implants. These artificial tooth roots allow your replacement teeth to look and feel just like your natural teeth. To learn more, call RiNo Dental or schedule an appointment online today.
Dental Implants Q&A
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that the team at RiNo Dental surgically places in your jawbone. Your tooth consists of two equally important portions: the crown and the root. While the crown is the part of the tooth you can see, the root holds it securely in place.
When you lose a permanent tooth, the root that once held it in place also disappears. The bone in your jaw needs something to hold to keep it active and healthy. Without a healthy root, your tooth-supporting bone can deteriorate.
Not only does this affect your ability to chew and speak, it can also change your facial structure. This is why adults with missing teeth often have a sunken appearance with saggy jowls.
Dental implants replace your natural tooth roots with small titanium posts to hold your new teeth in place and preserve your healthy jawbone.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are the closest restorations to the fit, function, and appearance of your natural teeth. They connect to your replacement teeth and hold them in place. Implants are strong, functional, and built to last a lifetime.
Some of the most important benefits of dental implants include:
- Enhanced appearance
- Easier chewing
- Clearer speech
- Improved oral health
- Durability
While dentures and bridges typically need replacement after 5-15 years, dental implants can last for 25 years or more with proper care.
What happens during the dental implant process?
During the planning phase for dental implants, the team uses an advanced type of X-ray machine, called a dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner, to view the hard and soft tissues inside your mouth. They use these images to plan the placement areas for your implants. If you don’t have enough tooth-supporting bone, they may recommend a bone graft.
It takes months to plan and place dental implants, whether you choose single implants, multiple implants, or All-on-4® implants. When you arrive for surgery, the team uses anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Then, they make an incision in your gums and surgically insert the implants, leaving only the connector portion of the restoration exposed.
After implant surgery, your mouth needs about 6-12 weeks to heal. Once your swelling subsides, the team takes impressions of your mouth to create your new replacement teeth. The team can recommend dental crowns, implant-supported dentures, or a bridge depending on your case.
Finally, at your last appointment, the team connects your replacement teeth to your implants. This final step should restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile without discomfort or embarrassment.
To find out if dental implants are right for you, call RiNo Dental or book an appointment online now.
