How Do You Know If Dental Implants Are Right for You?

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When you’re missing teeth, you don’t have to keep dealing with those gaps in your mouth. Dental implants may be a good option to replace them if they’re right for you. Our dentists in Grand Junction, CO, at Western Slope Dental Center consider the following to help patients decide on this solution.

Do You Have One or More Missing Teeth?

You can get a single-tooth dental implant for just one tooth or a couple of teeth in different areas. Or you can get multiple implants or strategically placed implants if you have a few or more teeth missing in a row.

Are You Looking for a Quick Solution?

The dental implant process isn’t fast. In fact, it can take several months to complete, so keep this in mind when weighing your options.

Are You a Smoker?

Being a smoker comes with a greater risk of having a dental implant fail. We can discuss other options if you smoke.

Do You Have Gum Disease or Tooth Decay?

Before you get dental implants in Grand Junction, CO, we’ll check for these problems. We’ll have to treat them before you’re able to undergo dental implant surgery.

Do You Have Adequate Jawbone?

Implant posts require enough jaw tissue to fuse with for stability. We may need to graft bone tissue in your jaw if you don’t have enough.

Do You Have Any Medical Conditions?

Some conditions, like autoimmune disorders, can make healing more difficult after implant surgery.

Schedule a Consultation Today for Dental Implants!

Are you looking into your options to replace missing teeth? Our dental team at Western Slope Dental Center can evaluate your teeth and gums and consider other important factors to help you decide if dental implants in Grand Junction, CO, are suitable for you.

Is a Dental Bridge Stronger than a Dental Implant?

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If you’ve heard of bridges and implants as potential ways to replace a tooth, you might wonder which one will hold up against daily wear and tear. Here, we’ll look at the differences between bridges and implants and when you should get one over the other.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge in Grand Junction, CO is a dental appliance that uses your natural teeth to hold an artificial tooth in place. Usually, it’s one artificial tooth placed between two crowns, with the crowns holding the false tooth in place. However, a dental bridge can also be placed on an edge, with only one crown holding it in place.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a single artificial tooth that’s held in place by a metal post in the jaw bone and then attached with an abutment between the post and the tooth. This procedure can take several months because the dentist in Grand Junction, CO needs to wait for the metal to fuse to the bone before they cement the permanent artificial tooth.

Is a Dental Implant Stronger?

Dental implants are stronger than dental bridges because they work like your natural tooth. Instead of the tooth roots to hold the tooth in place, though, it’s a metal post. A bridge goes above your gumline, which will make it more vulnerable.

Interestingly, though, you’ll get very similar general advice when it comes to how to treat your bridge or implant. For example, the dentist might ask that you limit crunchy foods to help your tooth last longer. That said, both a dental implant and bridge can stand up to plenty of pressure, you just might be able to get away with more if you choose the implant.

While implants are stronger, some people prefer bridges. This may be because they don’t have healthy enough gum tissue or jawbone to withstand the implant procedure or it could be because they want a faster procedure. (Bridges are also typically more affordable than implants.) No matter where you fall on the spectrum, the team at Western Slope Dental Center can help you sort out fact from fiction.

How Can I Maintain My New Dental Implants? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

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Dental implants look like – and function like – real teeth. Once your dental implants are installed, the care routine you use to take care of your dental implants should be similar to the care routine you use to take care of your natural teeth.

Your dentist in Grand Junction, CO, can help you with this. At Western Slope Dental Center, we provide advice to patients to help them care for their dental implants. We want your dental implants to last a long time, so here is what we recommend.

Brush Your Dental Implants Twice Daily

Brush your dental implants when you brush your other teeth. Brush your dental implants using a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

Avoid any toothpaste that claims to whiten or brighten your teeth, as this is the type of toothpaste that could scratch your dental implants. Brush your teeth for two minutes each time. If you have the budget for an electric toothbrush, consider getting an electric toothbrush to make your teeth brushing more effective.

Floss Your Dental Implants

Floss around your dental implant every day. Talk to your dentist to have your dentist show you how to floss around your dental implant.

Do Not Whiten Your Teeth

Dental implants can’t be whitened. If you whiten your teeth when you have a dental implant, your other teeth may no longer match your dental implant. Avoid whitening your teeth once a dental implant is in place.

See the Dentist Every Six Months

Continue to see your dentist every six months for checkups after your dental implants in Grand Junction, CO, are installed. At Western Slope Dental Center, we’re happy to help you take care of your new dental implants. Call today with your questions.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

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Dental implants can restore your smile and improve your overall dental health. While these implants can lead to several benefits, do you know how they work?

Keep reading to learn more about a dental implant procedure, including what to expect.

Preparing for the Implant

If you think a dental implant is a smart decision, you’ll need to visit the dentist for an examination. They’ll look at your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a good candidate. On some occasions, patients need a bone graft to increase the bone mass in their jaw. If a bone graft is needed, this will occur before the implant is placed. Also, if the patient has a weakened immune system, they may need a course of antibiotics before each dental implant procedure.

Interested in a dental implant in Grand Junction, CO? If so, make an appointment at Western Slope Dental Center today!

Placing the Implant

Placing a dental implant may happen during one appointment or multiple office visits. During the procedure, the dentist will first numb the area. Then, the dentist uses a tool to open the gums, which exposes the jawbone. They will then drill a small hole into the jaw, providing a path for the implant. Once the dental implant is screwed into place, the dentist sutures the gum.

After a few weeks, the patient returns to the dentist to resume treatment. The dental professional will open up the gums once more and attach an abutment to the implant. By then, there should be some newly formed bone tissue around the implant. Once the gums heal after the second appointment, the dentist will attach a dental crown, dentures, or a bridge to the abutment. Keep in mind some dentists will combine these three procedures into one single-day appointment.

To learn more about dental implants, call Western Slope Dental Center to speak with a reliable dentist in Grand Junction, CO!

Sources

How Does Getting a Tooth Implant Work?