Lost a Tooth? Now What? Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentists Walk Us Through the Process, PART 2

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 second installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to a panel of experienced Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists on tooth loss and the virtues of dental implants. Previously, we began by discussing the various causes of tooth loss – tooth decay, gum disease and accidental trauma. We then asked what should be done in the event that a tooth needs to be extracted and it was briefly explained that most experienced dentists will first discuss a patient’s options with them in detail. Let’s pick up where we left off…

So, if I need a tooth pulled because of, for example, decay, my dentist will talk to me about my options, right?

“They should! If they don’t consult with you first, you may want to consider looking for a new dental healthcare professional. Your dentist should explain to you what technologies are available for the replacement of missing teeth and the advantages, disadvantages and costs of each. Any dentist in Colorado Springs would want you to make as informed a decision as possible and so he or she will discuss all your possible options and address all your concerns before proceeding. What’s important, however, is that you do make a decision and act swiftly, because teeth that are left without replacement tend to cause all sorts of problems.”

Okay, so my decision is to have a missing tooth replaced with a dental implant. Can it be done on the same day as my extraction?

“In some cases it’s possible to place the implant the day of the extraction, but in many cases a separate appointment will be scheduled for dental implant surgery, especially if a tooth has considerable bone loss around it, which may need to be grafted prior to implant placement. Dental implant surgery, as with any surgery, requires detailed planning. It typically requires X-rays and in advanced cases of gum disease and the loss of many teeth, it can even require CBCT scans. So, most dentists in Colorado Springs will require you to return to their practice on a scheduled day for your procedure.”

Is there anything I need to do in preparation for my surgery?

“Typically, no. You just need to show up on time, but if you have been diagnosed with tooth decay, you may want to assess your lifestyle and daily habits and try to improve upon them. Tooth decay can happen to anyone; even to those who do brush and floss regularly, but it certainly happens more frequently to those who don’t and to those who smoke, eat unhealthy foods and who haven’t seen a dentist in years.”

“If you are a smoker, it is advised that you cease tobacco-use as soon as you decide to have dental implants placed because it increases your risk of implant failure quite considerably. Smoking also retards the healing process and can render post-operative infection more likely. Lastly, if you’re having many or all of your teeth replaced, your surgeon may recommend a general anesthetic in which case you may be required to come in for surgery with an empty stomach. Your dental implant surgeon will explain all of this in detail to you prior to treatment,” explain the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To find out more about the journey involved in getting teeth replaced with dental implants, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.