Dental Implants in Denver, CO
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 20% of older adults in Colorado are missing six or more teeth due to gum disease or decay. Unlike losing a baby tooth, losing a permanent tooth has unfortunate consequences. Our teeth are crucial for daily activities like smiling at a neighbor, enjoying a juicy steak, or even speaking clearly. If you’re currently experiencing the effects of tooth loss, know that you’re not alone—and there are effective solutions to restore your smile! Dental implants, in particular, offer a durable and long-lasting tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
At Donald Rice, DDS, Dr. Rice provides effective implant treatment to his patients in the Denver, CO, area.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from durable titanium. Like natural tooth roots, this implant screw embeds in your jawbone to keep your smile secure and your jawbone healthy. Typically, dental implants consist of two key components: a screw that Dr. Rice inserts into the jawbone and an abutment that connects the implant to an artificial tooth or teeth.
These titanium screws are an excellent option for replacing one missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or all of your teeth. Dr. Rice uses dental implants to support dental crowns, bridges, and dentures, restoring function to your smile.
However, sufficient jawbone density is essential for dental implant treatment. When a patient has low bone density, Dr. Rice may need to use bone grafting to rebuild and strengthen the jawbone before treatment. With this additional procedure, he helps ensure the long-term success and stability of your implants.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Missing teeth can make daily tasks challenging. Even missing one tooth may affect your speech, chewing capability, and desire to smile. Fortunately, dental implant-supported restorations look, feel, and function like natural teeth!
For many patients like you, dental implant treatment is life-changing due to the many benefits that it offers, such as:
- Aesthetic enhancement: Our society values a bright, beautiful smile. As a result, those with missing teeth often feel self-conscious and avoid smiling. When Dr. Rice uses dental implants to restore your smile, you can look forward to a natural-looking result that boosts your self-confidence.
- Improved chewing ability: Dental implants restore your bite force, making chewing feel more natural. Unlike other solutions, such as partial or full dentures, implants secure your smile, allowing you to eat all your favorite foods again!
- Clearer speech: The teeth in your mouth, especially your front teeth, significantly impact your speech. Without them, you may experience changes that make you self-conscious when speaking. Fortunately, dental implants restore your smile, resolving any pronunciation issues.
- Better oral health: Gaps in your smile are difficult to clean properly, making them easy breeding grounds for bacteria. A buildup of harmful oral bacteria leads to tooth decay and gum disease—both of which cause tooth loss if left untreated. By closing the gaps, implants make it easier to care for your smile, helping you maintain good oral health!
- Permanent tooth replacement: Dental implants are incredibly strong and durable, lasting a lifetime with proper at-home care and regular dental cleanings.
Dental Implants Prevent Further Oral Health Issues
In addition to their functional and aesthetic benefits, dental implants prevent issues that develop after tooth loss. When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth gradually shift toward the space left by the missing tooth. A dental implant is a sturdy barrier that prevents the remaining teeth from migrating! This barrier helps maintain your bite alignment and ensures your teeth function properly.
Dental implants also play a pivotal role in maintaining the health of your jawbone.
Natural tooth roots stimulate your jaw when you bite and chew, sending signals to your body to keep the bone strong. When you lose teeth, however, these roots no longer provide stimulation. As a result, your body thinks that the bone in that area is no longer needed, leading to bone deterioration.
As the jawbone recedes, you may experience changes to your facial structure that make you appear older than you are. Additionally, jawbone loss can make eating and speaking more difficult, forcing you to make dietary changes.
The longer you wait to replace a tooth with a dental implant, the more bone loss you may experience, making it increasingly difficult to place an implant in the long run.
The Procedure
The dental implant process begins with a free consultation. During your visit, Dr. Rice will discuss your tooth replacement options, evaluate your insurance coverage, and explore financing pathways if needed. During the planning stage, he will also take X-rays to help design your custom treatment plan and ensure you have enough bone to support the implants. If not, you may need additional procedures to build up the jawbone.
Once you’re ready for dental implant treatment, Dr. Rice will schedule your first procedural appointment. The implant placement process involves several important steps:
- Implant screw placement: First, Dr. Rice will make an incision in your gums to expose the jawbone, drill a hole large enough for the implant, and screw the post into place. While you heal, he’ll provide you with a secure temporary tooth to maintain aesthetics.
- Osseointegration: Following implant placement, your jawbone needs time to heal. Over 3 to 6 months, the implant fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This step is crucial as it ensures implant stability.
- Abutment placement: Once your bone has healed and integrated with the implant, Dr. Rice will reopen your gums to expose the implant and attach the abutment (the connector piece between the implant and restoration).
- Restoration attachment: Then, he’ll allow the gums to heal for about two weeks before securing your final custom restoration to the abutment.
While the implant process takes several months, the result is a durable, permanent tooth replacement that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Restore Your Smile at Donald Rice, DDS
Missing teeth profoundly impact our lives, making tasks that were once second nature much more challenging. If you are looking for a durable, long-lasting tooth replacement option, dental implants are an excellent choice. These artificial tooth roots are a versatile and effective solution with both immediate and long-term benefits.
Don’t wait any longer to experience the life-changing advantages of dental implants. Contact Dr. Rice today to book a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several key factors, including:
- The number of implants and the type of restoration used
- Whether preparatory procedures are needed, such as periodontal treatment or bone grafting
- Whether extractions are needed
- Your insurance coverage
At your free, no-obligation consultation, Dr. Rice will provide a detailed cost breakdown of your personalized treatment plan and help you make an informed decision.
Your dental insurance plan may cover dental implants, but coverage varies substantially from one plan to another. Whether insurance covers your implants will depend on the specifics of your policy and the reason for the treatment.
For example, some insurance companies consider dental implants purely cosmetic, limiting coverage. However, implants are more likely to be covered if your teeth affect your health or if you have experienced a dental injury.
If you have any questions about your coverage or benefits, please feel free to contact us. Dr. Rice and his staff will help you understand your coverage and find effective solutions to make your care more affordable!
At Donald Rice, DDS, Dr. Rice uses local anesthesia to ensure you feel comfortable throughout your procedure. He also offers oral conscious sedation to help you stay relaxed and at ease, while remaining awake for your treatment.
When the anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding at the surgical site. Over-the-counter pain relievers are often sufficient to manage pain for many patients, although in some cases, Dr. Rice may prescribe pain medication.