Colorado Springs Dentists Get Candid About Dental Implant Technology, PART 4

In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to experienced Colorado Springs dentists as a comprehensive solution to missing teeth. Previously, in Part 3, we discussed what patients could typically expect from having dental implants placed. It was also revealed that most procedures seldom take more than one dental appointment and that, in spite of its unfair reputation, implant surgery doesn’t usually leave patients in that much pain!

“No more than a straightforward tooth extraction might,” adds the dentist.

This is the final installment, so let’s wrap up this series by taking a closer look at the more complex dental implant procedures designed to provide patients with a brand new set of teeth.

Can you tell us a little more about the dental implant procedure you might use to give someone a complete set of new teeth?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentists: “At our practice, we like to make use of the “All-on-4” dental implant technique, which, as the name pretty much says, only requires four dental implants to provide patients with a complete set of new teeth. This procedure is considered revolutionary because it overcame many of the problems faced by traditional implant techniques. These achievements enable us to provide patients with beautiful, new, non-removable teeth in just one day with a single surgery, in almost all cases.”

What kinds of problems did these traditional dental implant techniques face?

Colorado Springs Dentists: “First of all, they would often require up to 10 dental implants per jaw in order to give patients a new set of teeth. That works out to be incredibly expensive, especially if you require new teeth in both your upper AND lower jaw. In order to place this many implants, dentists would be forced to break the procedure down into a series of more manageable surgeries and recovery periods. So, patients would be looking at spending up to 18 months in and out of the dental clinic while they gradually receive treatment. Finally, these more traditional techniques frequently required patients to first undergo bone-grafting surgery, owing to the volume of jawbone these patients had lost as a consequence of atrophy.

“When you add together all of the costs of surgery, the number of dental implants and the possible need for bone grafting, it becomes appreciable just why so many patients chose to have dentures placed instead of implants. The journey to fixed oral rehabilitation was just too long, too painful and too expensive.”

And that’s all changed with the “All-on-4”?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentists: “Thankfully yes! The All-on-4 only requires four dental implants per jaw, which can quite easily be done in a single surgery. Also, owing to the careful and strategic planning of this procedure, we can provide most patients with new teeth without the need for painful bone grafting surgery. This means new teeth in one day and at a cost that is tens of thousands of dollars less.”

So the “All-on-4” is the modern standard of treatment for patients who need a full set of teeth?

Colorado Springs Dentists: “We certainly think so, as do most dentists across the country. The outcomes of the All-on-4 are fantastic and we have no shortage of patients who are utterly ecstatic with their new teeth, which look, feel and function just like a complete set of natural teeth.”

Colorado Springs Dental Implants Dentist Gets Candid About Teeth Implants, PART 3

In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs family dentist about implants as a comprehensive solution to missing teeth. Previously, in Part 2, the differences between implants and the more traditional approach to replacing teeth – the porcelain bridge – were explored. We also discovered a key benefit of dental implants and that was that they replace the roots of missing teeth, which helps to maintain good jawbone health.

Let’s now take a look at what patients can expect from dental implant surgery!

All right, so we’ve established that dental implants are the preferred treatment choice of many dentists across the country. Now, let’s move on to what the procedures involved in having them placed are. Can you give us a rough idea of what patients might expect?

Colorado Springs dental implant dentist: “Most patients who are only having one or two teeth replaced can have the procedure done in our office in a single dental appointment. Modern dental implant technology and techniques have really made most procedures very quick, predictable and simple. Even full mouth reconstruction can be done within the space of a single day using advanced surgical protocols, such as the All-on-4.”

Does it hurt to have dental implants done?

Colorado Springs family dentist: “We always provide patients with the gentle sedation and local anesthesia necessary to keep them completely relaxed and totally pain-free throughout the procedure. We also send patients home with prescription medications to help manage any post-operative discomfort, although most report that this is only necessary for the first few days.

Would you then say that dental implants have a bit of an unfair reputation for being painful? Because that’s what I’ve always heard.

Colorado Springs dental implant dentist: “You must remember that dental surgery has come a very long way, even over the past decade. Where dentists used to “feel our way in the dark,” we now have powerful diagnostic technology and sophisticated computer imaging software to help guide us. As a result, modern dental implant surgery is meticulously planned, minimally invasive and therefore causes minimal trauma and discomfort. Perhaps the stories you heard were from patients who had dental implants done many years ago and who, as a result, may have experienced a more painful recovery.”

Let’s talk about the success rate of dental implants.

Colorado Springs family dentist: “Ah yes, the success rate of our dental implant procedures are very high. 98% for simple cases involving single tooth replacement and 95% and higher over a period of 10 years for complex cases requiring full mouth reconstruction.”

Do you ever have cases where patients come to you with their dental implants having fallen out of their mouths?

Colorado Springs dental implant dentist: “Patients who experience any kind of post-operative difficulties usually return to our office well before anything quite so dramatic happens! It’s very rare for patients to experience problems, but if they do we insist that they contact us immediately. We also perform standard post-operative examinations after 10 to 14 days, which enables us to identify any existing or potential concerns. So, to answer your question: no. Not yet, at least and hopefully never!”

Stay Tuned for Part 4

Stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series to find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced. 

Dental Implants Dentist in Colorado Springs Gets Candid About Teeth Implant Technology, PART 2

In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them.

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to an experienced dental implant dentist in Colorado Springs about the virtues of this cutting-edge teeth replacement technology. Previously, in Part 1, it was explained what dental implants are, how it is they become non-removable once surgically placed and what kind of cases they can be used to treat.

We concluded Part 1 with the revelation that today’s dental implant procedures have become far more cost effective than those of yesteryear. Before we delve deeper into that issue, however, let’s take a look at how dental implants compare with alternative teeth replacement technologies.

Many Colorado Springs residents and those across the country are understandably concerned about cost. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, what options can you provide patients with and which are the cheapest?

Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs: “Understandably, yes. We do offer patients a variety of tooth replacement options, depending upon their specific case. Generally speaking, porcelain bridges are the least costly. We do, however, recommend dental implants to our patients because they typically work out to be more cost effective in the long run. Dental implants don’t usually require any professional maintenance once placed and they are substantially more comfortable. They can also last at least three times longer, while bridges can require replacement after 12 years. So, while dental implants may constitute a greater initial investment, they pay off in the long run.”

What are traditional bridges?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “A traditional bridge is really just a device – usually made of porcelain and other composite materials – that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It makes use of the neighboring healthy teeth for support and provides the patient with an aesthetic and functional replacement crown/s.”

Do you find them to be problematic?

Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs: “To be fair, bridges can provide patients with perfectly good outcomes and they do tend to cost less than dental implants, which is why many people opt for them instead. The problem with traditional bridges is that they only replace the crowns of the teeth and not the roots. This can cause the underlying bone to atrophy over time, which results in a drop in the bone level. Infection can then become a problem because food and other debris can become trapped underneath the bridge.

“Many patients also complain about bridges not feeling natural. They are then looking at the need to have their bridge replaced or repaired after 10 or more years, so this is why many dentists simply recommend that patients have problematic teeth replaced with dental implants from the get go.”

Do dental implants prevent this atrophy from happening?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “Well you see, what many people don’t know is that the roots of the teeth are essential for channeling the eating forces into the supporting bone tissue. This keeps it stimulated and healthy, much like muscles are kept bulky and healthy through regular exercise. When the roots of the teeth are lost and not replaced, the underlying bone atrophies and wastes away over time, which is why people without teeth have such small, fragile lower jaws. Dental implants replace the roots of the teeth and this helps to maintain jawbone health and bulk. This is one of the most important reasons dental healthcare professionals prefer dental implants to any other teeth replacement solution.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series to find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced. 

Cosmetic Dentist in Colorado Springs Gets Candid About Dental Implants, PART 1

In this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work and what patients can expect from getting them.

Dentalimplants are widely thought to be the most sophisticated technology available for the replacement of missing teeth and, according to the experienced cosmetic dentist we spoke to in Colorado Springs, the proof is in the pudding. Dental implants boast a number of benefits over and above the traditional approaches to replacing teeth and they also last far longer. In order to develop a better appreciation for this “breakthrough” technology, we asked our dentist a number of questions and you shall find his answers to those questions in this article and the next three in the series…

Let’s begin by understanding exactly what dental implants are, doctor.

Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentist: “Dental implants are the devices specially trained dentists use to replace the roots of teeth that have had to be extracted because they are too decayed or damaged to be restored. These artificial roots look like tiny metal screws and because they are made from titanium metal, the bone in the jaw will actually fuse to them essentially leaving the implant fixed and non-removable. We then attach a customized replacement tooth or set of teeth to the top of the implant.”

So the dental implants themselves are not actually what we see when someone who has had teeth replaced smiles, correct?

Colorado Springs Cosmetic Dentist: “Correct. It is the goal of any dental implant dentist to achieve smile perfection, which means the implant remains hidden beneath the gum line while the artificial replacement tooth is visible and carefully fabricated to match the neighboring teeth in aesthetics.”

Is the process that allows dental implants to become non-removable similar to joint replacement and bone repair using titanium implants?

Colorado Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “The process is precisely the same. It’s called osseointegration, which refers to the knitting of the bone tissue to the surface of the implant. Titanium is perhaps the only material in the world that is accepted by the body and not rejected by infection.”

Very interesting! Moving along, can dental implants be used to replace more than one tooth?

Colorado Springs Dentist: “Absolutely! We routinely provide patients with multiple tooth replacement procedures, whether they have lost two, three or more teeth. We can also do full mouth reconstruction on patients who have lost all of their teeth over the years or whose teeth are in such a bad state that they will eventually lose them all (see image above). Essentially, no matter how many teeth you are missing, we can craft a strategic dental implant solution.”

Wouldn’t that work out to be incredibly expensive?

Colorado Springs Dentist: “Actually, no… the introduction of more sophisticated dental implant technology and techniques has rendered oral rehabilitation substantially more affordable. Instead of the hundreds of thousands of dollars one would traditionally spend on getting a full set of non-removable teeth, you’d be looking at tens, which is a small price to pay when you consider that you’re having an essential body part replaced!”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series to find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced. 

 

A Dentist in Colorado Springs Busts Major Myths About Oral Health, PART 4

Using sound logic and expert advice, this four-part article series dispels some of the most common myths surrounding oral health and dental treatment.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on the most common myths on dental health. Previously, in Part 3, an experienced dentist in Colorado Springs dispelled the following two myths:

Myth # 5: If dental insurance doesn’t cover it, it’s probably not worth considering.

Few dental insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage for advanced dental treatment, such as dental implants. This doesn’t mean dental implants aren’t the most sophisticated solution available for the replacement of missing teeth, though. You shouldn’t allow your dental insurance to dictate your choice of treatment.

Myth # 6: Tooth loss is normal consequence of getting older.

Gum disease causes tooth loss. Not getting older alone. If you care for your teeth properly, you should be able to keep them all until well in your 80’s and 90’s.

Let’s move along and take a look at two final common misconceptions…

Myth # 7: Dental implants are the most painful treatment you can get.

“There is this strange misconception amongst patients that dental implants are excruciatingly painful to have done, and yet nothing could be further from the truth,” says the dentist in Colorado Springs. “First of all, we always perform dental implant surgery using sedation and anesthesia, so patients rarely remember a thing, never mind feel a thing.

“Second of all, the very nature of modern dental implant procedures has changed dramatically over the past two decades what with the introduction of more sophisticated diagnostic technology and placement techniques. Before we even operate on a patient, we know exactly what the problem looks like underneath the gums; we are fully aware of the structure of the jawbone and the proximity of neighboring teeth and we know exactly what to do. So, one or two small incisions and that’s it!

“With procedures that are minimally invasive, Colorado Springs residents are enjoying a much shorter recovery period with hardly any pain at all; certainly nothing that can’t be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.”

Myth # 8: Removable dentures are the standard of care for people who have lost all or most of their teeth.

“Removable dentures may be the traditional teeth replacement technology for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, but they are a far cry from the modern standard of care! Nowadays, we have a suite of dental implant techniques that are capable of giving patients a full set of permanent teeth again, often in as little as one day, with one surgery,” says the Colorado Springs dentist.

“The teeth provided by these techniques feel more natural, function better and look far more beautiful than removable dentures. They don’t shift around; they don’t typically cause acute discomfort while eating and don’t need to be removed after meals for cleaning or at nighttime. Dental implants avoid many of the challenges associated with removable dentures and can promote a much better quality of life for patients!

“Almost all dentists in Colorado Springs have moved away from dentures and if asked, will recommend dental implants over and above this archaic teeth replacement technique. Do not be mistaken in thinking that dentures are the standard approach to patient care, because they really aren’t.”

A Colorado Springs Dentist Busts Major Myths About Oral Health, PART 3

Using sound logic and expert advice, this four-part article series dispels some of the most common myths surrounding oral health and dental treatment.

Welcome to the third installment of this four-part article series on the most common myths on dental health. In Part 2, an experienced ColoradoSprings dentist dispelled the following two myths:

Myth # 3: If it’s not broken, why fix it?

First of all, it takes experience and expertise to be the real judge of whether it’s broken or not and secondly, early intervention is far better and far cheaper.

Myth # 4: It’s normal for your gums to bleed when you brush or floss.

Gums that are weakened by infection will tear more easily and bleed. So bleeding gums may be an indicator of gum disease, which is definitely not normal. Alternatively, you may be brushing too hard, so invest in a softer toothbrush and ease up on the pressure.

Let’s move along and take a look at the next two common misconceptions…

Myth # 5: If dental insurance doesn’t cover it, it’s probably not worth considering.

“Medical aid and dental insurance companies are, at the end of the day, businesses. They’re there to make money, so they are not going to offer full coverage for the latest, most sophisticated and cutting-edge dental treatments available,” explains a Colorado Springs oral surgeon. “If they did, they’d go bankrupt in a day. What you will find is that dental insurance offers SOME coverage for advanced dental treatment, while offering substantial coverage for older, more conventional treatments that have been regarded as the standard of care for many years, if not decades.

“Your dentist – or at least a good dentist – will not allow dental insurance to dictate to them what treatment they recommend to you, their patient. Rather, he or she will recommend to you what they see as the best treatment to help your oral health recover optimally. It’s unfortunate that there is often a schism between the best solution and the most affordable solution and this may become a problem, especially if you are looking into teeth replacement,” explains the Colorado Springs dentist.

“Dental implants may offer the best, most functional and long-term treatment available for the replacement of missing teeth, but few dental insurance companies cover them. Instead, they tend to provide funding for bridges or dentures, which are cheaper, but far less advantageous. Shop around for dental insurance and make sure you know what you’re liable to be covered for!”

Myth # 6: Tooth loss is normal consequence of getting older.

“If you’re in good oral and general health, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn't make it to your 80’s and 90’s with all of your original dentition intact,” say Colorado Springs oral surgeons. “Tooth loss is a consequence of poor oral hygiene, gum disease, smoking and illnesses such as cancer and diabetes; it’s not caused by getting older. If you look after yourself and your teeth properly, you should be able to enjoy a beautiful, natural smile for most of your life.”

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read about more major myths that could potentially be disastrous for your oral health, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series.