How Do Dental Implants Work?

Do you worry about your smile because of a missing tooth? Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, thanks to advances in implant dentistry. We use restorations with materials that look and act like tooth enamel, so the dental implant blends in beautifully with your natural teeth.

The Dental Implant Procedure at Boulder County Smiles

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The process of receiving dental implants happens as follows:

  • After Dr. Johns or Dr. West evaluates whether you are a candidate for dental implants, we take an impression of both the upper and lower arches of your teeth, which we send  to a dental lab for casting.
  • The casts are used by the dental lab to design a tooth that looks and feels great.
  • A scanning appliance is created by the lab and returned to your dentist, who checks the scanning appliance for proper fit.
  • We take a CT scan of your mouth to guide our planning process.
  • Information from the CT scan is uploaded to specialized software that is designed to precisely identify the optimal position for the dental implants.
  • Each finished surgical appliance is completed by the lab and returned to Dr. West or Dr. Johns, who will then place the implant post.
  • The implant posts are then able to bond to porcelain dental crowns that look and act like natural teeth.

Boulder tooth implant patient photos in Lafayette

In a few visits to our Lafayette, CO dental office, you can have a dental implant placed and restored. The process includes the placement of a titanium post in the jawbone to provide an anchor for the replacement tooth.

This post encourages bone growth, which gives strength and stability to the dental implant. This option helps your replacement look and act like a natural tooth.

What Are Dental Implants?

dental implants procedure for tooth implant in Boulder and Lafayette, CODental implants consist of two components: a post that is placed in the jaw bone and a prosthetic tooth at the top. The post of the dental implant is usually made from titanium or a titanium alloy.

Through a process called “osseointegration,” the bone actually fuses with the dental implant over a few months, creating a strong and stable anchor for the tooth.

The prosthetic tooth is attached to the dental implant after a few months of healing time has passed and the new “root” has stabilized. Each replacement dental crown is color-matched to blend in with your natural teeth.

Dental implants restore your ability to eat, bite, and chew again, so you can get back to your normal lifestyle.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a complete tooth replacement, from root to crown. There are numerous benefits associated with this replacement option, which boasts a 90-98% success rate! Find out more about the benefits that implant dentistry can offer you!

dental implant dentistry Boulder

  • Lasts longer | A dental bridge might last 7-12 years, but a dental implant can last much longer, often for the rest of your life.
  • No getting used to | Dental implants feel more natural than other restorative options.
  • More natural | Dental implants act like natural teeth thanks to their stability, so you can eat your favorite foods without worry.
  • Bone health | Implant dentistry keeps your jaw from losing bone density, which means your facial appearance stays intact after you lose a tooth.
  • Easy maintenance | Your dental implant can stay beautiful through normal brushing and flossing.
  • Seamless | A dental implant doesn’t negatively affect the surrounding teeth.
  • Improved function | Implant dentistry can also secure a removable denture for better function and comfort.

Implant dentistry can restore your stunning smile! We have both Dr. Johns and Dr. West on staff to help replace your missing teeth through this exciting option.

Dental Implant FAQ

Does a dental implant procedure hurt?
Our staff strives to focus attention on each and every patient from our local Colorado areas, from Longmont to Lafayette CO. Our implant dentist offers dental sedation to make sure our patients have the pleasant dental experience with our implant dentist.
Do you offer sedation dentistry?
Yes! We offer sedation dentistry because dental sedation allows our patients to feel relaxed through an implant dentistry procedure. We provide several dental sedation options for our teeth implant patients, depending on their levels of anxiety.

If you are worried about having an implant dentistry procedure because you’re afraid of the dentist or the discomfort, we don’t want that to get in the way of getting the dental care you need.

Our implant dentist offers dental sedation to help our Boulder County patients receive the high-quality care that comes with the several types of dental implants we offer.

Is Dr. Gordon West a trusted implant dentist?
Dr. Gordon West has established himself as a reputable implant dentist among our patients from Longmont, Boulder, and Lafayette CO. Both Dr. West and Dr. Johns are also known for the compassionate and friendly treatment they give to all our patients.

We don’t take implant dentistry lightly, and we have an excellent reputation for great teeth implant results. If you are looking for a dental implants dentist, we can help you! Look over the criteria for choosing an implant dentist on this page.

How long do dental implants take to heal?
If you’re thinking of dental implants pros and cons, you should know that teeth implant take anywhere from three to six months to heal. Your healing period also depends on how well you take care of yourself after dental implant placement. Our implant dentists Dr. West and Dr. Johns can show you how to heal as quickly as possible.
Is implant dentistry safe?
If we didn’t think implant dentistry is safe, we wouldn’t offer dental implants. Our Boulder implant dentists and our dental team provide individual care to each patient. We have the training and technology that helps your teeth implant procedure run smoothly, especially if you are traveling from Longmont or Lafayette CO.
What types of dental implants do you offer?
At Boulder County Smiles, we are proud to offer a wide variety of teeth replacements that are supported by dental implants: crowns, dental bridges, and implant supported dentures. Each of these types of dental implants can restore the function and beauty of your smile!

Find Out Whether You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants ->

Find Out Whether You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants

To learn more about our dental implants, please give Dr. West or Dr. Johns a call at our Lafayette, CO dentist office near Boulder. You can also visit our dental implants website today!