At Alpine Dental Care, we pride ourselves on providing patients with different options for treating common problems like tooth loss. For patients with missing teeth, badly damaged teeth, or removable tooth replacement prostheses (dentures, partials, or removable bridges), our experienced implant dentist, Donian Shen, DDS, can place and restore dental implants for functional, long-lasting, natural-looking tooth replacement.
- What Are Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Benefits
- Dental Implant Candidates
- Dental Implant Types
- Dental Implant Process
- Dental Implant Recovery
- Dental Implant Alternatives
- Dental Implant Costs
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an advanced option for treating missing teeth. Through surgery, Dr. Shen can replace your missing tooth roots with specialized titanium posts which can support custom replacement teeth. The posts are placed in the jawbone where they fuse with the bone tissue through a process called osseointegration. For many patients, dental implants are considered a more attractive, functional, reliable, and comfortable option than dentures or bridges.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer a number of benefits: strength, stability, attractive results, durability, comfort, and excellent function. They mimic natural teeth to the point that once the process is complete, you will feel like you’ve gotten your original, healthy smile back.
There are additional benefits to having dental implants placed as well. Dental implants offer not only solid support for replacement teeth; they support healthy bone density within the jaw. The roots of your natural teeth stimulate the jaw bone, keeping it strong and healthy. When tooth loss occurs, bone density begins to diminish, causing the jaw to shrink visibly over time. This can lead to the further loss of additional teeth and puts the patient at an increased risk of numerous other problems, including periodontal disease.
Fortunately, the timely placement of dental implants helps to mitigate this deterioration as the biocompatible titanium posts are fused to the jaw through osseointegration. Following the healing process – a recovery period you’ll discuss with us before your procedure – your brand new prosthetic tooth will be affixed to the implanted post, completing your restoration. This custom-crafted dental crown will be fabricated specifically for you to match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Any patient with missing or badly damaged teeth can potentially be a candidate for dental implants. Additionally, patients who are frustrated with the comfort, aesthetics, and/or functionality of their dental restorations and/or dental prosthetics—such as fixed bridges, removable bridges/partials, and dentures—often turn to dental implants for an upgraded smile. To find out if dental implants are the right option for you, a consultation with Dr. Shen is required. During this appointment, Dr. Shen will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, jawbone structure, and tooth replacement needs to determine whether dental implants can be used to achieve your goals of a full, healthy smile. If you are a candidate for dental implants, Dr. Shen can develop a customized treatment plan that is suited to your specific needs and desired outcome.
If you need most of your teeth replaced, implant-supported dentures may be recommended. As opposed to traditional dentures, which can slip around and cause discomfort as well as embarrassment, implant-supported dentures are firmly secured within your mouth. The result is a complete set of teeth that look and feel entirely natural, allowing you to smile, speak, and eat freely and confidently.
What Types of Dental Implants Are Available?
Depending on the needs of the patient, there are several types of dental implant restorations available.
Single-Tooth Dental Implants
Single-tooth implants are designed to replace the entire structure of one missing tooth. The dental implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone, replacing the natural tooth root. Then, an abutment and crown top the implant post for a natural-looking restoration that functions and feels just like a regular tooth.
Implant Bridges
Implant bridges are designed to replace multiple adjacent missing teeth. During the planning stages, your implant dentist will determine the optimal placement and angle for one or more implant posts, which will be used to support a custom bridge prosthetic.
Implant-Supported Dentures/All-on-4®
For patients currently wearing traditional removable dentures or with significantly damaged dentition, All-on-4® implant-supported dentures offer a method for replacing entire arches of missing teeth using just a few dental implants. Unlike regular dentures, implant dentures are fixed securely in place, allowing patients to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
What Does the Dental Implant Process Involve?
The process of placing and restoring dental implants is incorporated into a multi-step treatment plan that is personalized for each patient. Often, the process begins with treatments to improve oral health and restore depleted areas of jawbone to create an optimal foundation for implant placement. Next, the implant posts can be placed in the jawbone during a surgical procedure—Dr. Shen can utilize both local anesthetics and sedation techniques to provide comfort and relaxation throughout the procedure. Once the implants are placed, the mouth and jawbone must fully heal before the custom implant restorations can be attached. Dr. Shen utilizes the latest technology to create impressions and works collaboratively with a trusted dental lab to fabricate implant crowns, bridges, and dentures that provide patients with beautiful, long-lasting new smiles. When the implant posts have fused with the jawbone and the restorations have been fabricated in the lab, Dr. Shen can then securely place the restorations atop the implants. She checks the fit, appearance, and function of each restoration to ensure satisfying results.
What is Recovery Like After Dental Implant Surgery?
After dental implant surgery, patients may experience some soreness and temporary discomfort during the healing process. Mild-to-moderate swelling is common and can be treated with a gently-applied ice pack. Over-the-counter medications can also help alleviate discomfort and keep swelling to a minimum. Dr. Shen advises against disturbing the surgical site for the first few days after surgery, which means that patients should exercise caution while chewing and avoid brushing or rinsing for at least the first 24 hours.
After the initial post-surgical healing phase ends, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can extend the longevity of the implants. Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist ensure dental implants remain healthy and clean.
Are There Alternatives to Dental Implants?
While dental implants are often considered the “gold standard” for replacing missing teeth, they may not be right for all patients. At Alpine Dental Care, there are a range of alternatives available to address missing teeth, including dental bridges and implant-supported dentures.
- Dental bridges – A dental bridge is designed to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. By bridging the gap caused by missing teeth, this restorative procedure improves the aesthetic appearance and functionality of a smile.
- Implant-supported dentures – For the utmost stability, implant-supported dentures feature a custom denture anchored to dental implants on the upper and/or lower jaw. The All-on-4®technique utilizes four strategically placed posts to support an entire arch of new tooth. This technique often works well for patients with diminished jawbone density.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Typically, the total price ranges from $3,000 to $4,500 per implant, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. That said, the precise cost of dental implants varies from patient to patient depending on the unique needs of the individual. Contributing factors include the number of implants used, the materials used to craft the restorations, the skill and experience of the provider, and whether a bone grafting procedure is required prior to implant surgery. Once a treatment plan is created, a personalized quote will be provided.
If you want to learn more about the dental implants process at Alpine Dental Care, please contact us. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is happy to answer questions and to help you schedule a free consultation with Dr. Shen.* We will happily discuss every aspect of the treatment process with you and perform a complete examination to determine whether or not you’re currently a candidate for implants. Even if your jaw bone isn’t currently strong enough to support implants, don’t worry; there are ways to build up the bone and make dental implants a real possibility. We look forward to becoming your partner in your journey toward a renewed, rejuvenated, and healthy smile!
