Dental implants are an innovative way to replace your missing teeth without sacrificing your oral and overall health. They are the only stable and permanent option available that also mimics natural teeth. Dr. Brandon Rinker is an experienced implant dentist located in Greeley, CO. We are one of the few local dentists that offer complete services for dental implants in this area. If you suffer from one or more failing or missing teeth, our dentists and talented team at Integrated Dental by Espire will build a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant restoration is made up of three components. The implant, the abutment and a custom made dental restoration are all connected together to act as replacement teeth.
The Implant
A dental implant is the permanent, surgical component that will be positioned in the jaw bone. It will completely fuse with the jaw bone essentially becoming part of it. This accomplishes two things: it will act as an artificial tooth root and prevent the bone from deteriorating and it will also provide a strong foundation for a dental restoration. The implant posts can be made from a few different materials but titanium implants are the most popular. This type of metal is not rejected by the human body and it is very strong, yet light in weight. They resemble a screw with threads and must be surgically placed in the jaw bone. It typically takes three to six months for the implants to fully integrate with the surrounding bone. We can place one to eight dental implants per arch to secure your restoration.
The Abutment
The abutment is the small connector piece that will join the implant to the restoration. Also typically made of metal, it will be connected after the implant has fully fused with the bone. To attach the abutment, a small incision will be made in the gums to access the implant. Your tissue will need a few additional weeks to heal before the permanent restoration can be placed.
The Dental Restoration
The Dental Restoration will be attached at your final visit to our Greeley, CO dentist office. It will be visible and function just like your natural teeth. The number of missing teeth you have and their location will determine the type of restoration that will be placed. A dental crown will be mounted to a single dental implant if only one tooth is missing. A dental bridge will be mounted to two or more dental implants if several consecutive teeth are missing. A denture will be mounted to up to eight implants if you are missing an entire row of teeth. Your custom made dental restoration will look completely natural when you speak and smile.
Choosing to replace your teeth with dental implants will provide you with the best overall quality of life. Once you learn more about the parts and how they function, they you will be able to truly see why they are the number one recommended solution for missing teeth by dentists. Contact Integrated Dental by Espire in Greeley, CO today to schedule a dental implant consultation.