If you have one or more missing teeth and do not have active gum disease, you are likely a good candidate for dental implants. A consultation at Durango Dental will confirm this.
Dental implants are the standard of care in dentistry for replacing missing teeth and restoring your smile with long-lasting results. With years of experience installing dental implants, our team can provide you with the natural and functional smile you deserve.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an advanced prosthetic that provides the closest possible replacement for missing teeth. They are designed to restore the look and feel of your natural smile without damaging neighboring teeth, as is often the case with inferior treatments.
Dental implants are available as single-tooth replacements, multiple-tooth replacements, or dental implant bridges. They are commonly made from titanium or zirconium oxide and feature two distinct parts. The implant itself serves as a replacement root and is planted into the gum, while a crown sits above the gum to provide a natural-looking false tooth.
Perks of Dental Implants
Although dental implants may look intimidating, they offer many functional and cosmetic benefits, including:
Authentic appearance
Dental implants provide the highest degree of life-like tooth replacements, utilizing the latest technologies to get the closest match to adjacent teeth. The shape, size, and color will all be personalized to your needs.
Natural feel
In addition to providing the most natural appearance, dental implants are designed to blend seamlessly into your natural smile. Unlike other solutions, you won’t even notice that the implants are there. We take great care to ensure the dimensions and placement perfectly mimic a natural tooth for maximum comfort.
Strong and long-lasting
Dental implants are durable and built to last. In fact, thanks to advanced technologies and materials, Durango Dental can insert implants that last for up to 30 years with the proper care. It is the most permanent treatment available for missing teeth.
Better oral health
Implants maintain your natural jawbone structure and facial shape, thus enhancing oral health with immediate and long-term rewards. Furthermore, oral hygiene becomes easier because of the increased accessibility to your teeth.
Enhanced articulation
Missing teeth can impact the structure of your jawbone and mouth, thus affecting your speech. Because dental implants emulate actual teeth, you will notice improvements in your speech and daily activities.
Improved self-esteem
Ultimately, dental implants will not just restore your smile but also give you a reason to show it off. From improved appearances to a more natural way of speaking and eating, the results will surely boost your confidence.
Our Dental Implants Process
Patient consultation
A full consultation allows for discussions of medical history, imaging, and analysis to determine whether dental implants are the best solution for you. If so, Durango Dental will book your implant surgery appointment. Our experts will also determine whether bone grafting may be necessary.
Implant surgery
Each tooth implant will take 1-2 hours. This procedure can be done with local anesthetic or IV sedation. The process involves preparing the site, removing gum tissue, and inserting the implant into the jawbone. The hole will be drilled to the right size for the implant, and an implant screw and abutment will be inserted for eventual crown placement.
Osseointegration
After an implant has been placed, osseointegration must occur between the implant and jaw bone. This process can take up to six months. During this time, if you are concerned with aesthetics, please ask us about our options for temporary tooth replacement.
Final abutment and crown placement
During your last appointment, you will receive your final crown placement. This step involves removing the temporary crown and ensuring the custom-made crown is securely fixed in the correct position to restore your smile.
Financing Options
The cost of dental implants will vary depending on the number of implants required and the need for additional treatment. However, Dr. Belt and his team are committed to offering affordable treatments and flexible financing.
Unfortunately, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover dental implants. However, some insurance packages will cover this type of treatment. Durango Dental’s non-insured dental savings plan can help you access significant savings on your treatment.
FAQs About Dental Implants
How do I know if I'm a good candidate for dental implants?
Which is the better option: dental implants or dentures?
Dentures offer a cheaper solution but do not prevent jawbone deterioration or allow optimal chewing function. Therefore, if you are a good candidate, dental implants are the superior choice for your appearance and long-term oral health.
What is the difference between an individual dental implant vs. a full-arch implant?
An individual dental implant replaces a single tooth, perhaps lost through trauma. Full-arch implants bind multiple implants together to create a permanent dental bridge.
How long does it take to recover from dental implant surgery?
In most cases, patients can expect to fully recover from dental implant surgery in 7-10 days, regardless of whether they have one or more implants.
How do I care for my dental implants?
To care for your dental implants, you should avoid sticky foods and smoking while implementing good oral hygiene. A soft nylon brush, a water pick, and regular flossing are advised.
Schedule a Consultation
Dental implants are a fantastic, natural-looking, long-lasting solution for missing teeth. Contact Durango Dental today to learn more or to schedule a consultation. The road to a better smile starts now.