Lost a Tooth? Now What? Colorado Springs Dentists Walk Us Through the Process, PART 4

This four-part article series explains what you should do in the event that you lose one or more of your adult teeth, whether it is the result of an accident or tooth decay.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to a panel of experienced Colorado Springs dentists. In our previous article installment, we delved a little deeper into the exact procedure followed during the replacement of a missing tooth.

Our panel of experts also explained the pain management and sedation techniques typically used by dentists and surgeons. We ended off Part 3 with the revelation that most modern implant procedures can provide patients with implants AND a new tooth on the same day. Let’s get some insight into this before concluding our entire series…

What do you mean by “providing an implant and a new tooth on the same day”? Isn’t a dental implant a replacement tooth?

“To be more precise, a dental implant is more like a replacement tooth root, which means that it assumes the role of a natural tooth root and provides support for a new tooth crown. Most modern dental implant procedures are able to provide patients with both the implant (artificial tooth root) and ceramic dental crown (artificial tooth crown) on the same day, although the crown placed is typically a temporary one. Once the gums and jawbone have healed to the satisfaction of your dentist or surgeon, they will remove the temporary crown and replace it with a stronger and more durable, permanent crown,” explain the Colorado Springs dental implant experts.

I won’t have to leave the dentist with a gap in my teeth after dental implant surgery, will I?

“In most cases, no. You can at least be provided with a removable temporary replacement, which will fill the gap left by the missing tooth.”

What if I need more than one tooth replaced? What if a patient has lost most or even all of their natural teeth? How might treatment for advanced tooth loss differ?

“There are a variety of dental implant techniques that can be done to provide edentulous and near-edentulous patients with new teeth and the good news is that one in particular – the All-on-4 protocol – can almost always achieve this in just one day, with a single surgical procedure,” say Colorado Springs dentists. “You will be required to come in for a consultation with your surgeon and this may be followed up by a couple of treatment planning sessions, during which X-rays and molds or impressions will be made of your mouth.”

“The surgery is done during a separate scheduled appointment, which typically the patient is sedated for. A prosthodontist or dentist then attaches a temporary bridge to the implants – complete set of prosthetic teeth – rather than a single dental crown and you’ll then be free to return home. Recovery is typically slightly longer than it is for single dental implant procedures and you may want to take a few days off from work to allow your body the rest it needs to begin healing properly.”

Once a patient’s implants have healed, what will his or her new teeth be like?

“Dental implants placed by highly qualified and experienced Colorado Springs dentist typically look, feel and function quite similar to natural teeth. So, patients should be able to eat comfortably and manage a much greater diversity of foods; they shouldn't be constantly aware of their replacement tooth or teeth and they should be able to smile with great confidence!”