Dental implants are a long term solution to replace one or more missing teeth and restore a person’s smile. Missing teeth can affect a person’s appearance, confidence, bite, and speech. Though dental bridges and dentures can replace missing teeth, dental implants have a more natural appearance because the prosthesis resembles neighboring teeth.
An implant consists of a tiny titanium post that Dr. Blake will surgically insert into the gums. These posts become replacement tooth roots with an abutment on their tips. Once the gums and jawbone fuse to the metal post, Dr. Brown will attach a natural-looking artificial tooth to the abutment.
If your tooth has been missing for awhile, it is possible a bone graft procedure could be necessary in advance, or at the time of your implant placement.
Please call Dr. Blake Brown Dentistry to request your dental implant consultation, or use our online form to schedule your appointment.
Reasons to Consider Dental Implants in Durango, CO
Dental implants come with several benefits, such as:
- Permanent Tooth Replacement: Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene.
- Bone Loss Prevention: Tooth roots stimulate jawbone growth. Without that stimulation, the bone will lose its density and weaken the supports around the remaining teeth. Dental implants restore jawbone stimulation.
- Stabilization of Adjacent Teeth: Teeth with too much space will begin to shift toward the void, affecting your smile, appearance, bite, and ability to chew. Replacing the tooth with an implant keeps everything in its place.
About the Dental Implant Process
Dental implants in Durango, CO, with Dr. Blake Brown usually consist of three steps over two or three appointments. Dr. Brown will surgically implant the metal post into the jawbone during the first step.
Healing from the surgery can take six weeks or more, but the jawbone has to fuse to the titanium through osseointegration before you can receive the replacement teeth. Osseointegration is when bone grows around the implant over several months, making it secure and less likely to shift in the mouth.
Once the implants are secure, Dr. Blake will attach a custom prosthesis to the abutments. A single implant will receive a dental crown. He could attach dentures or bridges to the implant to replace two or more missing teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Recovery Process for Dental Implants?
The average healing period is four to six months from start to finish. After Dr. Blake completes the dental implant process, you could resume your daily activities the same day. Over-the-counter medications may ease any discomfort you have after getting a dental implant.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
These replacement teeth are a permanent solution to missing teeth. A dental implant will outlast a dental bridge and does not require the grinding down of healthy teeth. Implants are also more natural-looking than removable dentures and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting.
How Do You Care for Teeth With Dental Implants?
Keep your teeth and dental implants in good condition by flossing and brushing them twice daily with a low-abrasive toothpaste. Do not forget to brush around the implant cap and use an interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Restore your smile with dental implants in Durango, CO, from Dr. Blake Brown. As one of the leading cosmetic and general dentists in the area, Dr. Blake Brown uses several tooth replacement procedures to enhance his patients’ smiles and restore their oral health. Call 970-247-9549 today to book an appointment.