Dental Implants:

The Ultimate Guide for Lakewood Dental Patients

This is the definitive guide to dental implants in 2024.

So if you want to:

Understand what implants are and how they work
Understand why they are important
See the different types of implants
Know what to expect when getting dental implants
Understand timeframes
Understand costs of dental implants
Gain expert knowledge and answers regarding implants

Then you’ll love this new guide.

Let’s get started.

So What Is A Dental Implant Anyway?

You might think that a “dental implant” refers to a prosthetic or fake tooth but actually the implant is a metal post that’s surgically implanted into the jawbone.

It takes the place of the tooth’s root and over time will become fused to the jawbone, strengthening it and creating a rock solid anchor to attach the artificial tooth crown to. Implants are usually made from titanium or a titanium alloy.

The implant post is permanent, not visible above the gumline and should last a lifetime. The crown, or prosthetic tooth, is firmly attached to the dental implant by way of a small metal connecting piece called an abutment.

Once the whole thing is assembled, your missing tooth will look, feel and function as before, if not better!

The Importance of Dental Implants

If you lose an adult tooth through decay, damage, trauma or extraction, you don’t have to live with a gap in your gum line. In fact, there are many reasons why you should get the tooth replaced as soon as possible:

Without support, neighboring teeth will start to shift out of place. This will cause issues with your bite and can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Shifting teeth can also become more difficult to keep clean. This makes them more susceptible to gum disease (periodontal disease) which could lead to even more missing teeth.
Your jawbone is at risk if there is no tooth root to stimulate it. Missing teeth can cause your jawbone to lose density and even crumble.
Missing teeth can make you self-conscious, causing your quality of life to diminish.

Here’s where the dental implants come in. As well as strengthening your jawbone with the installation of the implant post, the dental implant crown will take the place and function of the missing tooth, and look exactly like a real tooth too.

You will be able to smile with confidence again and also chew and speak properly without having to compensate for a gap in your mouth. If you’re worried about dental implants being painful, our patients will agree that they are more than worth any temporary discomfort you might feel shortly after the surgery.

How do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants, or tooth implants, work by replacing a lost tooth, or series of teeth with a permanent prosthetic.

The titanium implant portion of the prosthetic performs the same function as a tooth’s roots by holding the abutment and tooth crown in place when secured inside the jawbone. The typical steps taken for a single tooth implant are as follows:

Consultation appointment with x-rays
Necessary preparations such as tooth extraction and bone grafting
Surgical installation of the metal implant into the jawbone with the addition of a temporary crown
Once healing is complete, the permanent crown is attached.

As the artificial crown is attached to the post in your jawbone, these false teeth won’t move or fall out, performing exactly as a real tooth would. Get ready to smile and eat better than ever with brand new teeth!

Different Types of Dental Implants

A single dental implant to replace one missing tooth is one thing, but what if you have multiple missing teeth or even need an entire arch replaced? Do you need a separate dental implant for each missing tooth? Here are a few options you may have:

When a Single Tooth is Missing

This is the most straightforward type of dental implant and involves replacing the lost tooth with a metal post and ceramic crown.

Alternatives to a one-piece implant include a tooth-supported fixed bridge, removable partial denture or a resin-bonded bridge. While these are all valid alternatives, they will not last as long as a dental implant and in some cases may not be the most stable or comfortable solution.

When Multiple Teeth Are Missing

If you are missing multiple teeth, Callahan and Klein Dental recommend a fixed bridge anchored to several dental implants. Fixed bridges are superior to dentures in that they are much more stable and the dental implants will preserve the density of your jawbone.

The process of installing a fixed bridge for multiple missing teeth can take several appointments until the final fixed bridge is permanently attached.

When All Teeth Are Missing

A full arch replacement can be achieved in several ways. The one that most people probably think of first is the removable denture. This is a quick and lower cost solution, however, it is not the best one. Dental implants can be inserted to replace the roots of missing teeth and a permanent bridge can then be attached. Having lots of implants surgically inserted may feel a little daunting which is why we offer the All on 4 dental implant technique which is where a whole upper or lower arch of replacement teeth can be attached by using just four implants as anchors.

How Long Does It Take To Get Dental Implants?

If you’re considering dental implants to replace a single, multiple or all missing teeth, you need to be aware of the timeline as it will take several visits to your dentist. Although it depends on the individual patient and the number of implants needed, it will take several months from the initial consultation to the finished product. Here’s a general rundown of what you can expect.

The consultation and preparation phase can vary a lot in time taken. If the patient needs a bone graft to support the implant, this can add 3 to 6 months to the implant process. If no bone graft is necessary, the patient can go straight into getting the implant placed.
The placing of the dental implant (artificial tooth root) usually takes 1 to 2 hours. The jawbone then needs to heal and fuse with the implant which can take another 3 to 6 months.
The artificial crown needs to be created and attached to the implant. It can take around 2 weeks to create the crown. Overall, getting a dental implant can take anywhere from 5 months and up.

These are some factors that could speed up the process:

The sooner an implant can be placed after the tooth is extracted or lost, the faster the healing time.
Some dental offices offer same-day crowns which saves time at the end of the process.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

Cost is always a factor in any dental decision and with dental implants, the cost varies depending on the number of implants needed and the amount of any necessary preparation work, such as tooth extraction and bone grafting.

For a single tooth implant, a dentist can carry out the procedure for the comparable price of a fixed bridge, so you get all the advantages of the dental implant for almost the same price.

As dental implants are usually considered a cosmetic procedure, it’s unlikely that the cost will be covered by dental insurance, although some providers may cover a portion of the procedure.

Check your policy details or contact your provider directly to see if any part of the dental implant procedure will be covered.

Usually, the patient will be required to cover the full cost of the dental implant procedure. Due to the materials used, time taken and procedures required, this can be expensive.

Most implant dentist work with patients to set up payment plans if necessary and also accept payment through programs such as CareCredit, a healthcare credit card.

Find out the answer to “how much do dental implants cost?” and more information on exactly what goes into the cost of dental implants. Believe us and our patients when we say that they are more than worth the cost.

Dental Implant FAQ

Here are some other questions you might have about dental implants that haven’t already been covered above:

How long do dental implants last?

With proper care, your dental implants will last a lifetime. That’s why they are recommended by dentists as the best solution to missing teeth. It is important to prioritize other parts of oral health such as visiting the dentist. They can help ensure the implant is good shape.

While the implant can last a lifetime, the crown may only last 15 years before it needs to be replaced.

Are there any disadvantages to dental implants?

Any surgical procedure carries the risk of infection although for dental implants, this is a rare occurrence. Other health risks that are associated with dental implants are damage to other teeth, prolonged bleeding, or nerve damage. These risk, like that of infection are very low. Callahan and Klein’s digital imaging and custom made surgical guides drastically decrease these risks as well.

Cost may be a factor in putting some people off getting dental implants although payment plans and options such as CareCredit are available.

What if I don't want a metal implant?

Titanium or titanium alloy posts are commonly used for dental implant surgeries every day. This metal is used for its biocompatibility, meaning there are no issues with it bonding with your jawbone. Titanium alloy implants are also commonly used in other parts of the body due to its resistance to corrosion and the speed of bone attachment. There aren’t any metal-free alternatives to dental implants at this time.

What do I do while waiting for the permanent crown?

In most cases, your dentist will add temporary crowns to cover the implants while they heal. While these temporary crowns should look and function like normal teeth, you need to be careful when eating hard or sticky foods. Maintain a good brushing and flossing routine but be gentle around the temporary crowns.

While the implant heals and becomes bonded to the jawbone, it is essential to maintain good oral health practices such as brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

Are dental implants removable?

No, dental implants are metal posts that are permanently fixed to your jawbone. Between the time of the implant placement surgery and when the permanent crown is attached, the jawbone actually fuses to the metal implant.

many people wonder if the implants are removable if it isn’t placed correctly and while there are corrective procedures, the risk of this happening at Callahan and Klein is absolutely minimized due to the custom, precisely made surgical guide Dr. Klein uses to get the implant exactly where it needs to go.

If the crown gets damaged, this can be replaced with a new crown but the implant will remain in place.

Does getting dental implants hurt?

Patients at Callahan and Klein Dental in Lakewood, CO report that getting dental implants did not hurt as much as anticipated. In fact, extracting failing teeth caused more discomfort than the implant surgery.

During the surgery itself, local anesthesia will be used to numb the area where the surgery is taking place. Patients may feel pressure during the surgery but won’t feel any pain.

You will probably feel some soreness or swelling after implant surgery, however, this should decrease after 2 or 3 days and you can take over the counter pain medication if necessary.

Lakewood CO’s Dental Implant Experts

Dental implants are a natural looking, safe, effective solution to missing teeth. They will fix your smile and protect your oral health.