Welcome to Murray Dental Group in beautiful Glenwood Springs, CO! If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you’ve come to the right place. At Murray Dental Group, we specialize in dental implant surgery and restorations. Here's everything you need to know about getting dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is designed to provide a strong, stable foundation for a replacement tooth. The implant fuses to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This is where new bone cells grow on and into the surface of the implant over the course of several months, eventually integrating the implant into the jaw. Once fully healed and integrated, a realistic-looking porcelain crown is attached to the implant post to complete the tooth restoration.
Dental implants not only replace lost teeth but also halt bone loss and deterioration in the jaw. When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone no longer receives stimulation from chewing and begins to break down over time. This causes the jawbone to lose volume and density. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserves and stimulates bone. Other traditional approaches like bridges or dentures do not stop bone loss because they simply sit on top of the gums and do not integrate into the jawbone like implants do. Avoiding bone loss helps maintain the natural shape of the face and smile.
Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support. Implants stand on their own, just like natural tooth roots. This makes them a permanent and natural-feeling solution for tooth replacement. With their realistic look and feel, dental implants restore confidence and allow patients to eat, speak and smile with comfort and ease.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many advantages of dental implants. Dental implants improve quality of life through various benefits:
- Appearance - Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. The implant crowns are custom-designed and shaded to match each patient's natural dentition for a seamless fit. This restores a beautiful, vibrant smile.
- Bone Preservation - As mentioned above, implants prevent bone loss in the jaw. Stimulation from chewing allows bone to regenerate around the implant. This avoids sunken cheeks, wrinkles and distortion of facial features caused by bone loss.
- Bite Strength - Missing teeth weaken a person's bite force and ability to chew foods. Dental implants allow patients to eat a wider variety of healthy foods with full chewing power. This improves nutrition.
- Minimally Invasive to Neighboring Teeth - Implants don't rely on adjacent teeth for support like bridges do. Therefore the neighboring teeth remain untouched and undamaged.
- Stability - Dental implants fuse securely into the jaw bone for a sturdy, slip-free fit. Patients can speak and eat with confidence without irritating movement or discomfort.
- Oral Health - Implants are easy to clean and maintain with routine brushing and flossing. They make oral hygiene much more convenient compared to removable dentures.
- Confidence - Many patients report a renewed self-esteem and confidence with the improved appearance, speech and comfort provided by dental implants. This immeasurable benefit enhances social, romantic and professional aspects of life.
- Longevity - With proper home care and regular dental visits, implants can last for decades. The success rate is over 95% based on decades of established clinical research. This makes dental implants a wise, lasting investment. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
To determine if you are a good candidate for dental implant treatment, Dr. Murray would perform a thorough oral examination and take 3D X-rays of your entire jawbone. This gives us a detailed view of the density, volume, and anatomy of the bone structure. Ideal candidates have the following attributes that enable successful implantation and longevity:
- Healthy gums and tissues: Periodontal disease must be completely treated and stabilized before an implant placement.
- Adequate bone density and volume - This provides solid anchoring and stability for the implant. Bone grafting can augment areas with low density.
- Full facial growth - For younger patients, jawbone growth must be complete so the implant isn't displaced as the face matures.
- Ideal positioning of vital structures - Important anatomical features, such as nerves and sinuses, must be accurately located to prevent injury.
- Commitment to excellent oral hygiene - Patients must demonstrate the diligence to care for the implant with daily brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings.
- Non-smoker or willingness to quit smoking - Smoking severely impairs healing and increases risk of failure. Patients must agree to cease smoking before and after implant surgery.
If the examination shows that you have insufficient bone density or volume, you might need a bone grafting procedure before receiving your implant. While this adds extra time and cost to your treatment, it opens up new possibilities for patients with low bone mass and helps ensure that the implants are positioned optimally. If you’re uncertain about whether to get a dental implant, consider these four questions before proceeding.
The Dental Implant Procedure Step-by-Step
While the exact timeline varies per patient, here's the general process on how to get dental implants:
Consultation & Planning
This appointment focuses on assessing candidacy through digital scans and x-rays. If deemed a good candidate, Dr. Murray would then develop a customized treatment plan mapping out your implant type, location, number of implants needed, type of oral sedation needed, and any preparatory procedures to maximize success.
Tooth Extraction (if needed)
If a decayed or damaged tooth needs removal prior to placement, we extract it as gently as possible. We preserve the surrounding bone so the resulting empty socket is ready for the implant.
Bone Grafting (if needed)
If the jawbone lacks adequate density or volume, we will graft bone into the area 3-6 months before implant placement. This creates a more robust site for the implant to integrate into.
Implant Placement Surgery
Once the site is ready, we surgically insert the titanium implant into the prepared socket. The implant is threaded into the bone for stability. The gums are closed over the implant with stitches that resorb over time.
Osseointegration Period
This important 3-6 month healing phase allows the implant to integrate with the bone through osseointegration until fully fused. We may provide a temporary replacement tooth for aesthetics.
Uncovering the Implant
Once integrated, we reopen the gums and replace the cover screw with a healing abutment that helps shape the gums around the implant.
Taking Impressions
We take a mold of the implants to craft precision models for fabricating the implant crowns.
Placement of the Crown(s)
In the final step, we secure the realistic-looking customized implant crown(s) onto the abutments. The restoration is beautifully complete!
For a single tooth implant, the process spans approximately 6 months. Replacing multiple teeth may take 9-12 months. This allows ample healing time between each phase. During treatment, we provide temporary tooth replacements so you can enjoy an uninterrupted, natural-looking smile.
Dental Implant Recovery: What to Expect
Dental implant surgery is a well-tolerated, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia for your comfort. You may experience some common temporary side effects in the days following surgery as the site heals:
- Mild Discomfort - This is well controlled with the prescribed medication we provide. After 2-3 days the discomfort dissipates.
- Facial/Oral Swelling - Some minor swelling around the implant site is normal for several days.
- Bruising - Bruising of the treatment area and surrounding gums may occur due to blood vessels rupturing during surgery. Bruising fades within 7-10 days.
- Bleeding - You may notice a little blood when brushing or spitting during the first few days of healing.
- Numbness - It is common to have temporary numbness or tingling in your gums, lips, chin or tongue that resolves within weeks. This indicates the local anesthesia is wearing off.
Murray Dental Group always provides detailed written instructions on how to care for your mouth after implant surgery to prevent infection and promote swift healing. This includes a soft food diet and appropriate oral hygiene techniques. Most patients report they can resume normal routines and work obligations within 2-3 days.
During the long osseointegration period, while your implant fuses to the bone, you can eat most foods. However, very hard or sticky foods should be avoided to prevent premature loading on the integrating implant. We monitor your healing and integration at follow-up appointments to ensure you are on track for the final restoration.
While dental implants have excellent long-term success rates, there is always a statistical chance of an implant failing to osseointegrate as expected. To give your implant the best opportunity to fuse properly and provide decades of service, it is essential to carefully follow post-operative guidelines for healing and oral care. Please attend all scheduled follow-ups so we can assess your progress and address any issues early on. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these habits hinder the body's natural healing processes. With proper care, the vast majority of implants integrate successfully, and permanently.
Types of Dental Implants
There are three main types of implants we utilize, depending on each patient's unique needs and anatomy:
- Endosteal Implants - This is the most commonly used type of implant. Endosteal implants are cylinders or screws made of titanium that are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone through the gums. This design has a proven decades-long track record of success.
- Subperiosteal Implants - These consist of a metal framework that rests on top of the jawbone beneath the gums. The framework sticks posts up through the gums that act like natural tooth roots. Subperiosteal implants are used when there is inadequate bone height or density for endosteal implant insertion. They provide stability where bone grafting is not ideal.
- Mini Dental Implants - As their name suggests, these are smaller diameter implants ranging from 2.4mm to 3.0mm. Their compact size makes them a good option for stabilizing loose dentures or replacing smaller teeth like lower anteriors. They can also be joined together for multiple tooth replacements.
The best implant type for your particular needs depends on several factors including available bone density, desired implant positioning, number of teeth missing, and cosmetic concerns. During your comprehensive exam and planning, we will recommend which implant designs are optimal for replacing your natural teeth in a strategic, lifelike manner. Our advanced technology allows virtual implant placement so we can envision your finished smile before getting started.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost for a single implant can range from $1500-$4000 depending on the location in the mouth, type of implant chosen, and need for supplementary procedures like bone grafts to build up the implant site. Replacing multiple missing teeth with implants requires a similar fee per implant, so the total cost increases accordingly. Full arch implant bridges often range between $20,000-$30,000.
Dental insurance may cover a portion of implant costs, especially when deemed medically necessary. We help patients maximize their benefits and apply them toward the treatment fees. Third-party financing can make this investment in oral health and improved quality of life more affordable. The benefits of restored smile esthetics, confident speaking and eating, and long-term permanence make dental implants a priceless improvement compared to alternative tooth replacements.
During your consultation at Murray Dental Group, we provide a comprehensive written cost breakdown outlining every included treatment, service and fee. We also highlight any recommended optional enhancements to further improve your implant experience. There are no hidden costs or surprises. Our transparent, all-inclusive pricing allows for easy financial planning.
Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Care of dental implants at home and attending regular professional cleanings are key to extending their longevity. We provide in-depth guidance on proper at-home maintenance:
- Brush implants and gums thoroughly 2x per day
- Floss between implant crowns daily to remove debris
- Use prescribed antiseptic mouthwashes to prevent infection
- Avoid sticky, hard or chewy foods that can damage crowns
- Wear a custom night guard if you grind your teeth
- Schedule professional cleanings every 3-4 months
With excellent home care and professional maintenance, your implants should last for decades. However, peri-implantitis remains a concern long-term. This is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant, usually caused by bacterial buildup. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bleeding and recession of the gums around an implant. Report any of these symptoms to our office immediately, as prompt treatment of peri-implantitis is key to salvaging the implant.
While no type of restoration lasts forever, dental implants have the highest long-term prognosis when cared for properly. Keep up your oral hygiene routine, avoid smoking, and see us at the first sign of any implant problems.
Let Us Help You Decide If Dental Implants Are Right For You!
If you are ready to take the next step toward restoring your smile and getting dental implants in Glenwood Springs CO, please call Murray Dental Group today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Murray will be happy to assess if you are a good candidate for implants and address any questions you may have about this dental treatment. We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful dental family.
