Dental Implants

Dental Restoration With Dental Implants | Louisville, CO

If you’ve lost one or more teeth and are looking for an alternative to traditional tooth replacements like dental bridges or dentures, dental implants from the team at SoBo Dental Care may be just what you need.

Dr. Kevin Moore and Dr. Rachel Blum have extensive experience and specialized training in implant dentistry, oral surgery, and prosthodontics. Whether you’ve lost just one tooth or are looking to replace an entire arch of teeth with dental implants, our team is here to provide the expert care you need in Louisville, CO.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small, screw-shaped titanium post. This post is surgically implanted into the area of your mouth where you’ve lost a tooth. Over time, it heals and bonds with the natural bone structure of your jaw. This process is called “osseointegration.”

Once osseointegration takes place, the implant essentially becomes a natural part of your mouth, and functions as an artificial tooth root. One implant can be used to support a single tooth (crown), or multiple implants can be used to support a dental bridge or dentures.

Dental Implant Restoration Options Explained

One of the reasons that dental implants are so popular is that they are highly versatile. Whether you’re looking to replace just one tooth, several teeth, or a full mouth of teeth, we offer a variety of different dental implant restoration options at SoBo Dental Care:

Single-tooth implants – The most common type of dental implant treatment, this involves placing a false tooth (crown) made of porcelain over an implant post to replace one missing tooth.

Implant bridges – Implant bridges are similar to traditional dental bridges. But instead of being supported by natural teeth, they use two dental implants to support a ceramic bridge that can replace three, four, or even up to five teeth.

Implant-supported dentures – This type of restoration uses a series of multiple implants to support a removable set of dentures in the upper, lower, or both arches of teeth. Compared to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are more comfortable, stable, and long-lasting.

All-On-4 – As the name suggests, All-On-4 uses a set of four implants that are specially designed to support a full arch of upper or lower teeth. They are placed into the jaw at an angle, which provides maximum strength and support and often eliminates the need for bone grafts. All-On-4 dentures are also fixed in place and non-removable, which some patients find to be more convenient than traditional implant dentures.

Understanding The Benefits Of Dental Implants

30+ year lifespan

Dental implants are a great long-term investment. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, which require frequent replacement, dental implants have a typical lifespan of 30 years or longer with good at-home dental care and a healthy lifestyle. Many patients are able to keep their implants for the rest of their lives.

Natural look and feel

Dental implants are tightly anchored to your natural jawbone. This means that they are totally locked in place and will never move or shift when you bite, chew, speak, smile, or laugh. They look completely natural, too. At SoBo Dental Care, we use CEREC technology and work with leading dental labs to design implant crowns, bridges, and dentures that look and feel just like natural teeth.

Simple care process

Single-tooth implants can be treated just like natural teeth. Brush twice a day and floss once daily, eat a “tooth-healthy” diet, and make sure to visit your dentist for a cleaning twice per year. Implant bridges, dentures, and All-On-4 require a bit more special care, but are still very convenient to clean and care for.

Protects oral health

Unlike traditional dentures and bridges, dental implants are actually placed directly into your jawbone. This means that the bone tissue is stimulated when you bite, chew, and smile. This prevents bone resorption, which is a common issue after losing one or more teeth. Implants keep your jawbone strong and help maintain your facial structure, too!

What To Expect From The Implant Process

Not sure what to expect when you get dental implants? Excluding any other preparatory treatments that may be necessary, the implant placement process typically takes between 5-8 months. Treatment times vary depending on how quickly your jawbone heals around your implant. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to expect:

1. Initial consultation – First, you’ll meet with Dr. Kevin or Dr. Blum. They will perform an oral exam and use digital X-rays and 3D imaging to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. In some cases, you may need additional preparatory treatments like tooth extractions or a bone graft before you can get treatment.
2. Implant placement surgery – Your dentist at SoBo Dental Care will clean and numb your mouth, then place each dental implant based on your treatment plan. We offer sedation options to keep you feeling comfortable during your visit.
3. Healing and recovery – There’s minimal downtime with implant surgery. You can usually get back to your normal routine within a day or two, and the initial healing process takes 2-4 weeks. However, it will take between 3-6 months for the implants to fully bond with your jawbone.
4. Follow-up visits – As you heal and recover, you’ll come back to SoBo Dental Care for checkups. During these visits, Dr. Kevin or Dr. Blum will make sure that your implants are healing properly, and they will begin designing your final implant restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or a set of implant dentures. You may also need an additional minor surgery to place an abutment. This is a small piece of metal that allows the implant to connect to the restoration.
5. Final implant restoration – When your mouth has healed completely and your implant restoration is ready, you’ll come in for your last visit with Dr. Blum or Dr. Kevin. They will check to make sure everything looks good. Then, they will attach your crown, bridge, or dentures to your implant(s). Then, our team will give you some tips on how to care for your new teeth and send you home to enjoy your newly-restored smile.

Explore The Benefits Of Implant Dentistry In Louisville, CO

From single-tooth implants to full-mouth restoration with All-On-4, we do it all at SoBo Dental Care. If you think that you could benefit from a permanent solution for missing teeth, don’t wait! We offer 100% free, no-commitment consultations for patients who are interested in dental implants in Louisville.

During your visit, you’ll meet with Dr. Kevin or Dr. Blum, get a comprehensive oral exam, and find out if you’re a good candidate for permanent smile restoration with dental implants. There’s no pressure, no cost, and absolutely no need to commit to treatment. So don’t wait. Give us a call at (303) 666-5080 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today!