Dental Implants Cheaper Than Dentures? Colorado Springs Dentists Explain How! PART 1

In this three-part article series, experienced dentists explain how the once-off cost of dental implants works out to be less expensive than the accrued cost of wearing dentures for many years.

Anyone who has looked into the cost of teeth replacement will know that dental implants lie at the higher end of the cost spectrum, while dentures would seem to be the least expensive. What few Colorado Springs residents could ever imagine is that, in the long term, dentures could very well end up costing patients more… much more, not only financially, but in terms of quality of life too!

In this three-part article series, Colorado Springs dentists will explain to us how dental implants differ from traditional removable dentures in their ability to provide patients with a new set of teeth and just how it is the latter could readily work out to be more expensive than implants in the long run.

Aren’t Dental Implants Ridiculously Expensive?

One of the most damaging misconceptions there are about dental implants is that they are prohibitively expensive and that only the more affluent of patients can afford them. As such, the remaining majority of those who has been diagnosed with a failing or terminal dentition, usually as a result of gum disease, would appear to be doomed to a life of wearing removable dentures, which are the cheaper alternative.

“The truth of the matter is that with a little research and investigation, you’ll find that the cost of implants makes perfect sense and that, given what you’re getting for your dollar, it’s totally worth it. The money you spend on replacing a set of failing, decayed teeth with implants is a very important investment, not only in your oral health and general health, but also in your quality of life. Unfortunately, too many patients discover just how much they’ve short-changed themselves after they’ve had dentures fitted.” explains a Colorado Springs dental implant surgeon.

Is Cost Really the Most Important Consideration?

In addition to the misconception that dental implants are prohibitively expensive, many Colorado Springs residents erroneously prioritize cost over any other consideration and would sooner live with uncomfortable teeth than spend the money on a more sophisticated teeth replacement solution. The combination of these two trends has landed tens of thousands of Americans in a very difficult and expensive situation!

“You cannot possibly understand how miserable your life can become until you’ve lost all of your natural teeth and are forced to live with the daily challenges of wearing dentures,” says one Colorado Springs dentist. “Few patients can, which is why they choose dentures over the far more modern teeth replacement technologies and techniques we offer. They then, unfortunately, live to regret this pivotal decision.”

What we’re going to do in this four-part article series is first examine the principle differences (and cost differences) between dental implants and removable dentures. In doing so, we shall explain how the costs involved in having dentures fitted can end up being quite exorbitant over the years. We shall then do the same for dental implants – exposing the costs involved and how it is they are typically a one-time investment.

By comparing the two it is hoped that more Colorado Springs patients will make the smarter teeth replacement decision, thereby allowing them to (1) save money and (2) maintain an excellent quality of life.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out how dental implants - a far more sophisticated teeth replacement solution - can work out to be less expensive than removable dentures, stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series.

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.”

A Colorado Springs Dentist’s Comprehensive Guide to Sedation Dentistry, PART 3

This four-part article series provides an in-depth overview of sedation dentistry, what it is, how it works, the benefits it offers and what patients can expect from its different methods of administration.

Welcome to the third instalment of this four-part article series on sedation dentistry and the various aspects that patients want and need to know about this essential branch of dental healthcare. Previously, in Part 2, an experienced ColoradoSprings dentist explained the many wonderful benefits of sedation, which extend well past the simple act of calming nervous and fearful patients. It also eliminates pain and calms strong gag reflexes, while enabling dentists to perform longer and more complex procedures in a single appointment, rather than breaking it down into smaller and more manageable phases.

Now, let’s take a look at the three primary modes of sedation administration, the procedures involved and what patients can expect.

The Primary Modes of Sedation

• Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation simply involves swallowing one or two small pills, depending upon the recommendations of the Colorado Springs dentist. You will be required to arrive for your appointment an hour beforehand and the procedure and sedation will be explained to you in full again.

Once you have taken your pill, you will be left to sit back and relax while the effects kick in. By the time it’s your turn for an appointment, you should be feeling completely relaxed, comfortable and anxiety-free. While you are receiving treatment – even if it’s just a standard dental examination – the dentist will ensure that you’re comfortable and will also closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

“Towards the end of your appointment, you may begin to become more conscious of what’s going on as the sedation effects of the pill wears off,” says a Colorado Springs implant dentist. “You’ll likely feel quite sleepy and won’t remember much from your procedure. Please do make sure to arrange transportation from your dental office to your home, because you won’t be fit for driving whilst under the effects of sedation, even though it’s wearing off.”

• Nitrous Oxide or Inhalation Sedation

The administration of sedative medications – usually Nitrous Oxide or “laughing gas” - via an oxygen mask is a popular method of sedation, especially for kids, nervous patients and for those with a strong gag reflex. Inhalation is suitable for patients between the ages of 5 to 95 years. The procedure, similar to oral conscious sedation, is really very simple:

“Upon arriving for your appointment, we’ll explain to you the entire procedure and what it is you can expect from your treatment,” says a Colorado Springs dental implant dentist. “We’ll also describe what you can expect to feel so that nothing takes you by surprise. Once you are comfortably in the dentist’s chair, we’ll put a small oxygen mask over your nose and mouth, but it won’t only be delivering oxygen to you. We use a mixture of oxygen and a gas called nitrous oxide, which makes you feel totally relaxed, spaced out and anxiety-free.

“Throughout treatment, we will periodically adjust your gas intake so that the calm, sedated state is maintained. In spite of this, you will still be able to respond to our questions and prompts, although you may slur your words! Once your treatment is complete, we’ll reduce the levels of nitrous oxide you’re breathing in until you’re left only with oxygen. We’ll then remove the mask and allow you some time to emerge from the fog of sedation.

“Once again, it’s important that you arrange for transportation home, because although you’ll feel a lot more awake after treatment, you still won’t be fit to drive yourself,” says the ColoradoSprings dentist.

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read more about sedation dentistry and what the final mode of administration entails – intravenous sedation - stay tuned for the final instalment of this four-part article series.

Colorado Springs Dentists Explain 10 Smile-Preserving Changes You Could Make Today, PART 2

This four-part article series explains 10 changes anyone can make to their daily routine, lifestyle and habits that can help to extend the life and beautiful appearance of their teeth and gums.

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series on the changes you could make today to ensure the long term health of your teeth and the long term beauty of your smile. In our previous post, Part 1, Colorado Springs dentists explained the following three changes that we should all make to our daily routines:

1. Brush your teeth for just a little bit longer each day. 20 Seconds per brush is just not sufficient enough to keep your teeth and gums free from the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

2. Brush your tongue or make use of a tongue-scraper to remove bacteria and food debris from its tiny cracks and crannies. This will also help to keep your breath fresher for longer.

3. See your oral hygienist for a professional teeth cleaning at least once per year. It’s an investment that will help to keep your teeth beautifully clean and your mouth healthier.

Let’s continue looking at the various lifestyle changes you could make to prevent you from needing new teeth.

Small Changes for Bigger Smiles # 4: Chew Sugar-free Gum

If you don’t have time to brush your teeth after lunch, or you work closely with colleagues and clients and are self-conscious about the quality of your breath, you should keep a pack of sugar-free gum close at hand.

“Chewing gum doesn’t only camouflage bad breath; it actually plays a role in busting it altogether,” say Colorado Springs dental implant dentists. “By stimulating the production of saliva, chewing gum helps to wash away food debris that might otherwise encourage the growth of oral bacteria and taint your breath.”

Chewing gum that contains xylitol, in particular, is great for oral health because it helps to remineralize your teeth after an acidic meal. Acid softens your dental enamel, leaving it more vulnerable to erosion and so, chewing gum that contains xylitol helps to neutralize the PH levels in your mouth and strengthen your teeth.

Small Changes for Bigger Smiles # 5: Avoid Certain Candies

We all know that a diet high in sugar really isn’t for our oral health, nor is it great for our general health. But if you’ve got a sweet tooth there are certain compromises you can make to limit the impact upon the long-term health of your teeth and gums…

If sugar is your Achilles’ heel, opt for chocolate instead of hard candy, boiled sweets and chewy, sticky treats. Chocolate molecules are covered in fatty compounds, which reduces adhesion and helps your saliva to wash them off your teeth. Chewy, sticky candies – such as caramel, toffee and taffy – can get stuck in the cusps of your molars for much longer and where they can fuel bacterial growth. Hard candy and boiled sweets, on the other hand, can actually damage the enamel of your teeth if you bite down onto them.

“A lifelong addiction to this kind of candy can actually cause tooth decay and, eventually, the need for new teeth,” warn dental healthcare professionals in Colorado Springs.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more about the small changes you could make today - changes that could keep your smile beautiful and youthful for much longer – stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

Dental Implants Dentists in Colorado Springs Talk About Dental Implants, PART 2

This two-part article series provides an overview of dental implants as a sophisticated solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

Welcome to the second installment of this article series on dental implants. In Part 1, a dentist in Colorado Springs explained what dental implants are and how it is they biologically fuse with the underlying jawbone and what the placement procedure involves. Now, we shall take a look at some of the amazing benefits of this teeth replacement technology.

Dental Implants Boast Superior Function and Aesthetics

“Once surgically placed, the dental implant itself isn’t visible since it sits beneath the gums,” explains a dental implant surgeon in Colorado Springs. “What is visible is the custom fabricated dental crown or prosthetic bridge the implant is used to provide a sturdy foundation for. This is individually made to perfectly resemble a missing tooth or set of teeth. Even the ceramics the tooth crown is made from mimics the optical properties of real dental enamel, making the replacement tooth virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth or set of teeth.”

“Furthermore, the fact that dental implants are supported entirely by the jawbone enables the entire tooth replacement device to function like a natural tooth, which enables Colorado Springs residents to bite down with a near normal bite force. Even in cases where patients have had all of their original adult teeth replaced with implants, it’s possible for them to get a strong and healthy bite back thanks to dental implants.”

Dental Implants are Comfortable and Non-Removable

“Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are non-removable and so they typically feel far more comfortable and natural,” explains a dentist in Colorado Springs. “Dentures, which are bulky and rely on the soft gums for support, tend to go hand-in-hand with a great number and variety of problems and complaints.”

These include:

• Sore, inflamed gums,
• Painful oral sores and ulcers,
• “Denture” breath – halitosis,
• Triggered gag reflex,
• Inability to taste food properly,
• Inability to sense texture and temperature properly,
• The inconvenience of cleaning after meals,
• Needing to take your teeth out at nighttime.

Dental implants offer Colorado Springs residents a far more comfortable and sophisticated solution to missing teeth, whether they have lost one, several or even all of their original adult pearly whites.

Dental Implants Promote Excellent Jawbone Health

Unlike tooth-supported bridges and traditional dentures, dental implants replace the root AND the crown of the teeth. Because of this, they provide the jawbone with the functional stimulation it needs to remain strong and vital.

“Bone is just like muscle in that it requires frequent exercise in order to remain healthy,” explains a dental implant dentist in Colorado Springs. “When teeth are lost and left without treatment, or replaced with technologies that only replace the missing crown, atrophy can cause the underlying jawbone to waste away. This loss of bone volume can expose the roots of the neighboring teeth, leaving them more vulnerable to decay, and it can destabilize the entire dental arch.”

A Final Note on Dental Implants

It’s for all of these reasons that Colorado Springs dentists typically recommend dental implants over and above all other teeth replacement technologies. So, if you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, speak to your dentist about dental implants. The benefits aren’t only cosmetic and functional… they’re also comfortable and go a long way to preserve the health of your jawbone.

General Dentistry Professionals in Colorado Springs Talk about Dental Implants, PART 1

This two-part article series provides an overview of dental implants as a sophisticated solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

Tooth loss is a fairly common problem that can happen as one ages. It’s most frequently the result of conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease - conditions that are caused by neglect for proper oral hygiene, a lack of professional preventative healthcare, a bad diet and habits such as tobacco use. Tooth loss can also be caused by accidental trauma and by certain illnesses. Either way, there are a number of teeth replacement solutions on the market, but the one most highly recommended by general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs is dental implants.

In this two-part article series, we shall be taking a look at what dental implants are, how they work and what benefits they can offer Colorado Springs residents as functional and cosmetic solution to single and multiple missing teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only devices available that actually replace both the root and the crown of the missing tooth. Removable dentures and tooth-supported bridges only replace the visible portion of the tooth structure, the crown, which can cause problems for Colorado Springs residents in the long run. But before we get to the benefits of dental implants, let’s take a look at the anatomy of this fantastic technology:

“Dental implants are artificial ‘tooth roots’ that are manufactured from medical grade titanium. This is then used to support a ceramic tooth crown,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. “Titanium is an exceptionally strong metal and it is also non-corrosive, stable and non-toxic. The composite materials used to make the tooth crown are chosen for durability and strength, so a patient’s replacement tooth has the potential to last several decades if not a lifetime!”

How Do Dental Implants Work?

“Dental implants are manufactured from medical grade titanium metal, which has the unique property of being 100% biocompatible,” say general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs. “This means that, over the weeks and months following surgery, the jawbone surrounding the implant will actually fuse to it, forming a strong bond that prevents the dental implant from being loose or falling out.”

“Dental implants are surgically placed at a predetermined site in the mouth… usually at the site of the missing tooth or teeth. In the case of whole arch restoration, the positioning of the implants is chosen strategically so that as few implants as possible can be used to provide support for a customized prosthetic dental bridge, which looks like a complete set of teeth and gums,” explain general dentistry professionals in Colorado Springs.

“The procedure itself only takes an hour or more, depending upon what a patient is having done and how many teeth they’re having replaced. Recovery only takes a few days, although you will be required to stick to a diet of soft foods for a few weeks while your jawbone heals.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about dental implants & about their benefits over other teeth replacement methods, stay tuned for the second Part of this article series, courtesy of Colorado Springs dentists.

Colorado Springs Dentists Discusses Removable Dentures and Alternatives, PART 2

This two-part article series addresses traditional removable dentures as a solution to multiple missing teeth and edentulism. It then goes on to explore the alternative - dental implants - and why they are regarded as more beneficial to patients.

Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on removable dentures and the more modern teeth replacement technology on the market: dental implants. In Part 1, Colorado Springs dentists discussed what removable dentures are, how they work and what some of the challenges associated with them are. In this article, we shall discuss the more modern alternative - dental implants - and how they offer Pueblo CO residents a far more comfortable, functional and aesthetic solution to rampant tooth loss and edentulism (toothlessness).

What Are Dental Implants?

According to Colorado Springs dentists, dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots. As you can see in the image above, they are tiny screws made from the exceptionally strong metal titanium. These devices are used to replace the roots of missing teeth and then to offer strong support for an overlying dental appliance, such as a ceramic crown or fixed bridge. These restorations replace the visible portion of the missing tooth or teeth.

How Can They Be Used To Replace All Of My Teeth?

Dental implants are popularly used to replace one or two missing teeth, but they can also be used to provide Pueblo CO residents with a complete set of new, non-removable teeth. In these cases four or more dental implants are strategically placed in regions of the mouth that contain a greater volume of strong and healthy bone tissue. A fixed (non-removable) prosthetic dental bridge is then attached to this array of implants, thus providing the patient with a complete set of beautiful teeth again (see image below).

What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?

Unlike traditional removable dentures, dental implants are placed “permanently” in the mouth and the new teeth they support are non-removable. This eliminates many of the challenges and hassles people with dentures have to contend with, such as removing their teeth for cleaning and at nighttime. Dental implants derive all the support they need from the underlying jawbone, as is the case with natural teeth. As a result, Pueblo CO residents are spared all the pain and discomfort caused by bulky dentures pressing down on and rubbing against their gums.

According to dentists in Colorado Springs, some of the other benefits afforded by dental implants include:

• Dental implants feel natural,
• Dental implants support much slimmer and more comfortable replacement teeth,
• They are cared for and cleaned similarly to natural teeth,
• Dental implants enable patients to bite down with greater strength and to eat most of their favorite foods,
• They give patients a more beautiful, natural and confident smile.

Perhaps most importantly, dental implants resume the function of the missing tooth root, which helps to keep the underlying jawbone tissue stimulated. Through this stimulation, jawbone health is preserved, which prevents the early onset of aging through bone volume loss. Wearing removable dentures does nothing to prevent atrophy and the loss of bone volume in the jaw explains why denture wearers typically get that aged, sunken appearance around the mouth.

In Conclusion

Dental implants offer Pueblo CO residents a much better, more functional, comfortable and aesthetic solution to missing teeth. They also help to promote jawbone health, which prevents the deterioration of one’s natural youthful facial contours. It’s for these reasons and many more that Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists tend to recommend implants to those in need of new teeth.

Colorado Springs Dentists Answer: What Could Be Causing Your Bad Breath? PART 3

This three-part article series provides an overview of the various factors, ailments and conditions that could be causing your breath to turn sour.

Welcome to the final installment of this three-part article series on the various causes of bad breath. In Part 1, we spoke to Colorado Springs dentists who explained that bad oral hygiene, tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) were the most common causes of bad breath. In Part 2, we shifted our attention to the less obvious causative factors, which included respiratory tract infections and a condition known as “dry mouth” (linked with alcohol intake, habits such as smoking and certain medications.)

In this article, the final installment of the series, we’ll provide some final possible causes behind chronic bad breath, some of them very surprising indeed…

The Causes of Bad Breath, Continued…

6. Breath Mints

This may sound completely counter-intuitive, but sucking on a breath mint can actually achieve quite the opposite of the desired effect! “Mints contain sugar, which encourages bacteria to thrive,” explains a dentist in Pueblo CO. “While they may freshen your breath as you suck on them, after five or ten minutes, your breath can actually turn sour as oral bacteria multiply and produce more smelly wastes. This applies to anything with sugar in it, which is why we always encourage patients to brush or at least rinse their mouths out after a sugary beverage, snack or treat.”

Even better: get yourself a pack of sugar-free gum. “Getting into the habit of chewing gum when you want a breath freshener is excellent for your teeth because it stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to wash away food debris and kill bacteria,” advise Colorado Springs dentists.

7. General Health Issues

As it was explained in Part 2 of this article series, oral problems aren’t always to blame for bad breath. There are a host of general health problems and diseases that are linked with halitosis, such as diabetes, respiratory tract infection and liver disease. If your dentist in Pueblo CO has told you that your teeth and gums are healthy, and yet you still struggle with bad breath, book yourself an appointment with your GP. Explain your symptoms and get a diagnosis. The health of your mouth is closely linked to the health of your body and it can provide some very important indications of possible problems, so pay attention!

8. Tongue Health and Hygiene

Take a look at your tongue in the mirror… what color is it? It should be a healthy pink color all the way to the back of your mouth. Yet, sometimes it can have a whitish coating, which is typically a result of oral bacteria. “When you brush your teeth, you should also be brushing your tongue until it looks nice and pink,” say Colorado Springs dentists. “Your tongue’s surface, being rough, is full of excellent hiding places for oral bacteria, so your tongue could be causing your breath to go bad.”

If you don’t like brushing your tongue, there are also tongue scrapers on the market, which are effective at removing plaque, bacteria and food debris from the surface of your tongue.

A Final Note on Busting Bad Breath

Remember, good oral health and hygiene are fundamental in the fight against bad breath. Never be too shy to ask a friend or family member for a subjective opinion on the quality of your breath because it can compel you to seek treatment for problems that, if left undiagnosed, may ultimately cause to tooth decay and loss.

Colorado Springs Dentists Explain the Disadvantages of Dentures

This article examines the problems associated with traditional removable dentures and why modern dental implant procedures offer a much better solution to tooth loss.

For years, centuries even, the technology used to replace a mouth full of failing and/or missing teeth was a set of removable artificial teeth. These teeth or dentures were bulky, rested on the gums and relied on their mass and the support of the soft tissue-covered jawbone ridge to remain in the mouth. The result was a technology that enabled patients to eat and speak to a degree, but that came hand-in-hand with a slew of challenges. In this article, Colorado Springs dentists will be explaining to us just why traditional removable dentures should be a technology of the past and why patients who need new teeth should be opting for dental implants.

Denture Downfalls

“One of the biggest problems with dentures is that they rest on the gums, which means that every time you bite down on food, that pressure gets transferred directly to the gums,” explain Colorado Springs dentist. “This might not initially feel too uncomfortable, but after months of the same abuse, the gums can become painful and inflamed. Nasty sores can develop as well and patients find themselves changing their diet to provide relief to their gums.”

The gums are not built to sustain such pressures, which is why dentures tend to cause Colorado Springs residents so much discomfort. But this isn’t where denture problems begin and end. Colorado Springs dentists have received the following common complaints from patient who have had teeth replaced with this archaic method:

• Dentures slip around and can fall out,
• Dentures can have a devastating impact upon self-esteem and social confidence,
• They don’t look or feel natural,
• Patients with dentures struggle to manage a wide variety of foods,
• Dentures do not maintain a healthy jawbone
• Dentures are a hassle to clean and maintain. They need to be taken out after every meal and at nighttime for careful cleaning.
• They require repeat expenses, such as overnight soaking solutions, anesthetic gels, storage containers and adhesive strips,
• Dentures can harbor food and bacteria, leading to “denture halitosis”,
• Dentures require frequent refitting, so Colorado Springs residents are constantly spending money on their replacement teeth.

All of these challenges aside, what comes as the biggest shock is the fact that wearing dentures can shorten Colorado Springs residents’ life expectancy by a staggering 10 years!

“Over time, bite functionality deteriorates as jaw bone volume is lost to atrophy,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. “Consequently, patients are able to manage less and less food at mealtimes. What used to be a pleasure is now a battle with uncomfortable, loose teeth and extremely tender gums. The result of all this is malnourishment. Eventually, a patient’s jawbone can deteriorate to the point where they can only bite down with 6% of the force of a natural, healthy bite. A lack of proper nutrition can shorten life expectancy quite considerably.”

What’s the Alternative?

The fact is dentures simply don’t offer Colorado Springs residents the functionality, aesthetics and comfort that the modern alternative, dental implants, do. And yet, patients still choose dentures as their teeth replacement solution, allowing a concern for cost to take center stage in the decision making process. Dental implants are a far more sophisticated, comfortable, functional, aesthetic and long-lasting solution to rampant tooth loss and edentulism (not having any natural teeth). They’re also more cost effective in the long run, so speak to your Colorado Springs dentist about your teeth replacement options and ditch the dentures!

Colorado Springs Dentists on the Wonders of Teeth Whitening

This article provides a brief overview of teeth whitening, how it works and what the treatment involves.

Coffee, tea, red wine, blueberries, cola, balsamic vinegar, soy and curry sauces, sports energy drinks and certain candy… the list goes on. There is a plethora of foods and beverages that contain pigments and tannins that seep into the tiny pores of our dental enamel, making our teeth appear darker and not-so pearly white. This discoloration can typically be removed with a swift brushing, but over the years, the staining accumulates at a level that toothbrushing becomes ineffectual. The result is a dulled and unaesthetic smile.

The great news is that many Colorado Springs dentists offer teeth whitening as a quick, simple and inexpensive treatment for patients who would like to put the glint back into their grin!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

“Teeth whitening treatment involves the repeat exposure of the outer surfaces of the teeth to a bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. “This serves to whiten the dental enamel, making the teeth appear a few shades lighter than before, which can totally change the appearance of one’s smile.”

Teeth whitening is generally recommended to Colorado Springs residents whose teeth have become discolored by various staining foods and beverages over the years. What this treatment cannot eliminate is deep staining caused by certain medications and conditions such as fluorosis (over-exposure to fluoride during one’s formative years.)

“Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment only,” explain Colorado Springs dentists. “We are always sure to diagnose the cause of dental discoloration prior to putting together a whitening kit for patients. There’s no sense in bleaching teeth that have become discolored as a result of decay because the origin of said discoloration is internal and will simply persist to the point of tooth loss if left unaddressed.”

What Does Treatment Involve?

Teeth whitening is incredibly simple and easy to do. If you’ve noticed your teeth looking a little dulled and discolored, it can make a big difference and a huge cosmetic improvement without looking unnatural. Next time you go to your Colorado Springs dentist for a check-up and cleaning, ask him or her to prepare a teeth whitening kit for you.

You will have a mold made of your teeth, which will be used to custom fabricate a mouth tray for you. Some Colorado Springs teeth whitening offices can get this done on the same day as your appointment if you wait around for half an hour. Others will require that you return the next day for collection.

Your teeth whitening kit will consist of your customized mouth tray and a special whitening gel that contains a percentage of carbamide peroxide (the bleaching agent). You line the tray with this gel so that it is evenly distributed and will make contact with every surface of your dentition, from the front incisors to the back molars. You then press this tray against your teeth and bite down gently.

“We generally recommend that patients wear these trays for an hour or two, once a day, for one to two weeks,” say Colorado Springs dentists. “The exact length of treatment depends upon the degree of discoloration and staining and the results a patient wishes to see.”

Every day, the shade of your teeth will lighten until, once the desired level of whitening has been achieved, you can cease treatment. And that’s really all there is to it! Quick, simple and inexpensive!

Colorado Springs Dentists Snap into Gear with the Latest Orthodontic Technologies

This article informs patients about “Snap on Teeth” and it explores the benefits of Snap on Teeth in contrast to traditional dentures.

As one gets older there are a multitude of physical changes to contend with: the loss of your youthful figure, the weakening of joints and the appearance of grey hair and wrinkles, to name but a few. With so many changes to adjust to your removable dentures, you should not have to add to your problems. Well, at Colorado Springs dentists they no longer have to.

With the latest technology in dental implants, the Dentist in Colorado Springs offers a modern solution to your traditional denture woes with their “Snap on Teeth” procedure. In just two visits your traditional denture troubles will be a thing of the past with a brand new set of stable and secure teeth.

Where Exactly do Your New Teeth Snap to?

Colorado Springs Dentists offer the latest in dentition technology in the form of dental implants. With “Snap on Teeth”, two to four implants are strategically placed in the jaw bone. These implants serve as the support for your new dentures.

Once the implants have healed, your new dentures are attached to them, providing a much sturdier structure and thus much fewer complications than with traditional dentures. The dentist usually requires one session to place the implants and one more to fit your Snap on Teeth, making it a quick and relatively easy process.

Change to “Snap” to Avoid the Shift...

According to the dentist in Colorado Springs, traditional removable dentures tend to be loose and shift around in your mouth. This shifting has all sorts of uncomfortable effects. One such effect is the pressure placed on the gums. This pressure can often be painful and annoying, resulting in your dentures being a hindrance rather than a help. In fact, 50% of denture wearers say that they eat more comfortably without their false teeth.

Another possible problem lies in the probability of the removable dentures falling out at the most inconvenient times, causing huge embarrassment. Colorado Springs Dentists can change all that with just a few implants placed in the jaw.

By attaching the dentures onto the implants, it stops it from coming into contact with the gums, thereby relinquishing all irritations related to the pressure caused by traditional dentures. On top of this, dentists in Colorado Springs say that the “Snap on Teeth” are less bulky and have a more natural looking aesthetic, making it difficult to tell which are false and which are your own teeth.

A Big Smile and a Full Wallet...

With “Snap on Teeth”, not only do you save time, but you save money as well. Usually dental implants require multiple visits to the dentist, a number of surgeries and possibly even six or seven implants in the jawbone. All of this adds up to being quite a costly experience.

At Colorado Springs dentists, the procedure for Snap on Teeth usually places only two to four implants and is typically done in two visits. This results in a much more cost effective solution to your denture woes.

Snap to It...

So what are you waiting for? Jump up from your seat and run down to the dentist and snap your new, shining smile into place. Or at the very least, pick up the phone and make an appointment!

Fear and Anxiety are a Thing of the Past, at the Dentist in Colorado Springs

This article informs the reader about sleep dentistry, explaining how it works, the benefits of sedation and the variety of sedation options.

Okay, let’s get real... for most of us, a visit to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience and one that is usually avoided until absolutely necessary. Even the sounds from the waiting room can make it a little stressful: the sound of the drill, the people around you clutching their jaws, the thought of some strange guy leaning over you coming towards your head with sharp metal objects. Okay, so maybe that is completely exaggerated, but phobias tend to make one blow things out of proportion and you would be amazed to find out just how many people are scared and anxious about dental appointments.

I’m sure you often find yourself secretly wishing that the whole experience could just happen while you sleep, allowing you to wake up and have it all be over with. Well, here’s a little secret for you... your wish is now a reality. Colorado Springs Dentists have taken your fears and anxieties into account and offer you the glorious option of sleep dentistry.

What is this Amazing Thing You Speak of?

Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, is a practice that allows the patient to have medication administered to them that lightly (or heavily) sedates them, eliminating all pain and discomfort and making them feel completely calm for the duration of their procedure. It’s like a secret magic potion that transforms scary, sharp objects into the equivalent of bunnies and fluffy clouds. I know, it sounds too good to be true, but the reality is that the dentist in Colorado Springs is a highly skilled professional who always has your best interests at heart.

How Exactly Does this Work?

When looking to nap your way through your dental procedures with Colorado Springs dentists, you have one of three options. The first option is to take a pill thirty minutes prior to the appointment. By the time you are lying in the dentist chair you should feel calm, collected and ready to have your teeth fixed. The second option is Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas”. This gas has no color or smell and is said to induce a happy-drunk feeling (without the hangover), allowing your body to be taken over by a euphoric sensation rather than resembling a tightly wound spring. The third option is intravenous sedation. The dentist typically uses this option when the procedure is longer and a bit more complicated.

It’s Not All About You...

Besides the obvious perks that sedation dentistry holds for you, your dentist also benefits; and if we look at the mathematics of it, a happy dentist plus a happy you equal happy teeth, which surmounts to everybody winning. Who could ask for more? With sleep dentistry the dentist in Colorado Springs is able to work with ease as he or she no longer has to worry about your anxiety. As such, they can work much faster and with greater precision allowing for an all-round more successful appointment.

So What are You Waiting for?

With compassion towards and understanding of the anxieties associated with visiting a dentist, you no longer have to wait for problems to arise before sorting out your teeth. Gone are the days of fear and avoidance, the feeling of being stuck in a nightmare. The dentists of Colorado Springs are there to turn your nightmares into dreams, and your dreams into reality; a reality that involves a happy, healthy smile.