Dental Implants — Longmont, CO

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

This first appointment sets the foundation for your dental implant treatment. Our team will capture detailed images and impressions of your mouth, find out any relevant information about your medical history, and check for any untreated oral health concerns. If we find gum disease or tooth decay, we’ll have to address those issues before moving forward. We may also need to schedule a bone grafting procedure if you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw; otherwise, your implants won’t have the strong foundation they need to thrive. Once we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for dental implants and any preparatory procedures are taken care of, we can start planning your placement surgery. 

Dental Implant Surgery

For the surgical portion of your treatment, you can relax knowing that Drs. Dan and James Maurer can handle this step themselves. You can receive your new teeth in the same dental office and with the same team you’re already familiar with.

The procedure involves making small incisions in your gums and using them to insert the implant posts at precise, pre-determined angles and locations in your jaw. Then, your implant dentist in Longmont will suture your gums closed and send you home to begin healing.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

In the three to six months after your surgery, the near-magical process of osseointegration will occur. Because dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, they’re able to merge with the bone tissue in your jaw. This fusion allows the implants to function just like your natural tooth roots and provide amply support for your replacement teeth.

Following osseointegration, you’ll undergo another surgical procedure. Our dentists will expose the tops of your implants and secure metal connectors called abutments onto them. Abutments are what allow your implant to keep your restorations firmly in place. It should take a couple or weeks or so to heal from abutment surgery.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

At long last, it’s time to receive your brand-new teeth! Once you’ve recovered from your abutment procedure, we can install your crown, bridge, or denture on top of your dental implants in Longmont. This restoration will have been customized by a dental lab in order to mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth. After you’ve completed the dental implant process, no one outside of our dental team should be able to tell that your implants aren’t the teeth you were born with!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• When you’re chewing your favorite foods with dental implants, the titanium post that’s integrated with your bone will transfer those forces throughout the jaw. This stimulates the jaw and helps you maintain a stronger biting force overall. Furthermore, keeping a balanced, nutritious diet is much easier when you have dental implants.
• Poorly fitting dentures notoriously slide around in your mouth, creating speech problems, difficulties chewing, and generally embarrassing moments. Since dental implants are firmly rooted in the jawbone, you can trust that they’ll remain in place.
• Once the dental implant process is complete, your new smile will appear virtually indistinguishable from your old one. Thanks to the lifelike materials we use to craft your restorations, no one should be able to tell that you even have dental implants!

Health Benefits

• Dental implants in Longmont are strong enough to anchor restorations on their own, which means you do not need to buff down existing teeth to hold larger restorations. For example, two implants can hold a bridge of three teeth without affecting the structure of nearby teeth.
• The moment teeth are lost, alveolar bone inside the socket begins to resorb back into the body. Over time, this affects the overall shape of your jaw and dramatically influences your biting force, making it more difficult to chew tough or crunchy foods. When a dental implant is integrated inside the jaw, your jaw will maintain its natural shape, bone resorption will cease, and you’ll reduce the risk of losing more teeth later on.
• Few habits are more frustrating than cleaning a denture. Not only is denture maintenance cumbersome, but it can be all too easy to drop or damage the prosthetic. Dental implants are fixed devices, so there’s no reason to worry about practicing any special care to keep them in good condition and promote better oral health. Simply brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your implant dentist in Longmont once every six months for cleanings and checkups.

Long-Term Benefits

• Since dental implants have the potential to last for the rest of your life, they’re a better financial investment than a bridge or denture that would have to be replaced every few years.
• Advanced tooth loss has been associated with medical issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and an overall shorter lifespan. Dental implants fulfill every function of your natural teeth, so it’s not a stretch to assume they would reduce these risks.
• Dental implants have the highest success rate of any tooth replacement method. After 10 years, more than 95% of dental implant patients are still enjoying their new teeth!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

During you consultation, we’ll be checking for three main things to see if dental implants are a good choice for you:

• Good overall health, since placing dental implants is a minor surgical procedure.
• Great oral health, including no cavities or gum disease, which can jeopardize your treatment.
• Adequate jawbone density, because your jawbone needs to be strong enough to fuse with and support your new dental implants.

If you’re not considered a good candidate initially, there’s no need to worry. You may simply need to complete one or two preliminary treatments to overcome these hurdles. For example, some patients require tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting before we can move on with their treatment.

Once you’ve healed from your preparatory procedures, we can get to work planning your treatment. We’ll talk with you about how many dental implants you’ll need as well as what kind of restoration depending on how many teeth you’re missing.

Missing 1 Tooth

Replacing a single tooth is pretty straightforward. A single dental implant can be inserted into the jawbone where the missing tooth’s roots once were. Then, a single custom-made crown is attached to the top via an abutment. The end result will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth!

Missing Multiple Teeth

To replace several consecutive missing teeth, we can use an implant bridge. Instead of altering your remaining healthy teeth like you would need to for a traditional bridge, we’ll place a dental implant on either side of the gap to support your new teeth between them. Multiple missing teeth around the mouth can be replaced by individual crowns, but more extensive tooth loss may be better treated with a partial denture that is anchored in place with a few selectively placed dental implants.

Missing All Teeth

Are you missing all your teeth? Are you tired or frustrated with your full denture always slipping out of place? We can give you a complete, comfortable smile with implant dentures! This type of denture is far more stable and functional than traditional removable options, and they last a significantly longer time.

If you don’t have enough jawbone density to support 6-8 dental implants for an implant denture, All-On-4 dental implants may be perfect for you. This unique method can anchor a full denture securely in place with just four dental implants in strategic positions around the mouth. This way, you may be able to skip a necessary preliminary bone grafting and still enjoy all the benefits of an implant denture.

Learn More About All-On-4

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are considered to be one of the more complex treatments in dentistry for a number of reasons. Every person’s needs are different, which means what will be needed for your specific treatment may not be needed for someone else. This is best exemplified through preliminary treatments like bone grafts and sinus lifts, which both influence the bone’s ability to receive implants and integrate properly. Also, periodontal therapy and tooth extraction may be necessary depending on the status of your gum and tooth health. This is just one of the reasons why the consultation and planning stages of implants require time and attention to detail before your surgery can begin.

Of course, your dental implant surgery is an added component of the overall cost. Fortunately, because we place and restore your dental implants in-house, this will prevent you from having to pay a separate fee for an outside specialist.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Part of the estimate you’ll receive for your dental implant treatment is the various parts of the actual dental implant. These include:

• Materials Used: Depending on the choice made by your implant dentist in Longmont, you will likely receive either titanium or zirconia dental implants.  
• The Number of Implants: How many teeth you have missing will be dependent on how many dental implants you will need to ensure a complete and fully functional smile.
• The Brand: Dental implants are like cars and other products, as there are many different brands. Our team will go over which manufacturer we use when providing dental implants to ensure you are aware that you’ll receive the highest quality prosthetics available.
• The Type of Restoration You Need: Coinciding with the number of implants you will need is the type of restoration you will receive. If only one tooth is missing, a single titanium post will cost much less than a full denture to replace an entire arch.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Keep in mind that dental implants are considered a long-term investment. In many ways, they tend to be more cost-effective than other tooth replacement options (i.e., dentures or bridges) because they typically last anywhere from 25 years to a lifetime. This is significantly longer than both bridges and dentures, which tend to last 10 to 15 years and five to seven years respectively before needing to be replaced. Apart from their longevity, dental implants in Longmont also do not require buying dental adhesives or special cleaning supplies to remain healthy.

And if you’re still wondering if they’re worth the investment, it’s important that you consider how effective they are when it comes to lowering your risk for systemic issues that are commonly associated with tooth loss. The potential for heart disease, osteoporosis, and even diabetes can be significantly reduced when choosing dental implants.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most dental insurance companies don’t cover the cost of dental implants. This is because they are still classified as a cosmetic treatment by most plans. Regardless, our dental office will help you go over your current insurance plan and maximize the benefits you’re entitled to. We’re in-network with Delta Dental and several Anthem plans and are more than happy to file claims on your behalf.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Our dental office also provides financing via CareCredit, which builds payment plans for dental treatments. Whether you qualify for a low or zero interest plan, you can easily pay for more expensive care while staying well within your budget! You can learn more about the process here.

3D Cone Beam Imaging/3D CT Scanning

A regular X-ray won’t give us all the information we need to place a dental implant. Instead, we can use our 3D CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scanner. This is a special type of X-ray that rotates around your head and takes up to 200 pictures that are eventually combined into a three-dimensional model of your mouth.

By using our CBCT scanner, we can identify various dental structures, soft tissues, nerve paths, and craniofacial bones in your mouth and jaw. This is useful in many different kinds of surgeries, but it’s particularly helpful during implant surgery for the following reason:

• It allows us to identify potential obstacles before the procedure so that they can be avoided. For example, it lets us locate any nerves around the implant site, letting us work around them without damaging them.
• It improves our precision when placing implants, making the procedure as a whole more likely to succeed.
• It lets us capture the necessary information in a painless, noninvasive way. There will be no radiation left in your body once the scans are complete.

E4D Digital Impression System

Placing a restoration on your dental implant doesn’t require surgery, but that doesn’t make precision any less important. With the E4D Digital Impression system, we’re able to create dental implant restorations that blend in seamlessly with the rest of your mouth in just one day. Once an abutment has been placed on the implant post, we can scan the area with our E4D system. Then our in-office milling device will use the captured information to make your restoration out of a solid piece of ceramic. Once it's done, we’ll shade it to match the natural color of your teeth, put any necessary finishing touches on it, and attach it to your implant post.

By using the E4D Digital Impression system instead of a traditional mold, we make it more likely that your restoration will fit the first time. And thanks to the in-office milling machine, you won’t have to worry about going without a new tooth for much longer; the process of designing and fabricating a new tooth will be done in just a day.  Not only does the system save time, but it aids us in creating new teeth that are virtually indistinguishable from natural ones.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is one of the most taxing parts of the entire process. However, you can expect to make a speedy recovery with proper care and maintenance and be one step closer to having a fully restored smile.

While you recover, the most crucial to keep in mind is to leave the blood clot on your surgery site untouched. To do this, be sure to avoid:

• Spitting (use tissues or swallow your saliva)
• Drinking from a straw
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Touching the surgical site with your fingers or tongue

Common Side Effects

If you’ve never had oral surgery before, you probably don’t know which symptoms are normal and which aren’t. Knowing what to expect can help you better understand when you should be seeking help. Although you will experience some discomfort as you’re healing, it should gradually fade with time. If it seems to be worsening, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

That said, here’s what you can expect in the first few days following your procedure:

• Intermittent Bleeding – You can manage your bleeding by placing a clean gauze over the area and applying light pressure. It can continue for several days after your surgery.
• Swelling – This can occur for 72 hours following your procedure, sometimes over a week. You can reduce swelling and minimize discomfort by using a cold compress on the outside of your mouth.
• General Discomfort – You can alleviate your discomfort by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.

Diet

You’ll need to stick to a soft-food diet for the first few days following your procedure. Here are some items you should stock up on before your surgery:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Soup (just make sure it’s not too hot!)
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta

You can return to a normal diet as soon as you feel up to it. However, you should still exercise caution around crunchy or tough foods and avoid chewing directly on the implant site.

Health & Oral Hygiene

After dental implant surgery, it’s incredibly important to take proper care of your gums and existing teeth. You must keep your mouth as clean as possible to avoid any complications. To do so, make sure you brush your teeth like you normally would (be careful around the surgical site) and rinse with warm salt water two to three times each day and after every meal. Avoid using any mouthwash that contains a high level of alcohol as it can irritate your oral tissues or dry out your mouth.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once you’re fully healed and the implants have successfully fused with your jawbone, you’ll return to the office to complete the process. Your dentist will place your new crown, bridge, or denture and complete your smile! Some patients may experience mild sensitivity in the gum tissue after this step, but it can be alleviated with a prescription or over-the-counter medication. If you notice any bleeding or swelling, contact our team as those aren’t normal side effects you should experience after the placement of your restorations.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

One of the most common reasons for implants to fail over both the short and long term is an infection known as peri-implantitis. This condition causes the gum and bone structure around the implant to become inflamed. If this inflammation doesn’t go away, the underlying bone could lose its density, and the implant could fall out. Unfortunately, because the gums themselves cannot easily attach to the titanium posts, the tissue around an implant tends to be more prone to infection since there’s more space for bacteria to nest.

In order to avoid peri-implantitis, oral hygiene needs to be one of your biggest priorities. Brush thoroughly twice a day, and don’t forget to clean above and below the gum line. Use dental floss as well to get rid of bacteria and debris in the areas where a toothbrush can’t easily reach.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Oral hygiene matters, but so does diet when it comes to the long-term health of your dental implants. For example, you should take the time to include a wide variety of foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products and proteins. Furthermore, you should exercise caution when eating especially hard foods, such as popcorn, certain candies, and nuts, as they can still crack a tooth or dental restoration if you aren’t careful.

Break Bad Habits

Your dental implants are strong, but they can still be damaged if you’re not careful with them. For example, you should never bite down on objects such as fingernails, pen tips, pencils, or ice cubes. You should also avoid using your teeth to open packages and instead use either a box cutter or pair of scissors. If you need to open a bottled beverage, always use a bottle opener and never your teeth.

Wear a Mouthguard

A severe jaw injury could end up loosening your implant, so you should take any and all necessary steps to keep your mouth safe. For example, if you grind your teeth at night (which we might find signs of during your regular checkups), you should get a nightguard to protect your implant from excessive pressure. And of course, if you play any kind of sport (regardless of whether it’s high-contact or not), you should always wear a mouthguard while on the field.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Unfortunately, there are many cases where you may not even realize there’s a problem with your implants until it’s too late; for example, peri-implantitis could have begun to develop without your knowledge. By visiting our dental office on a regular basis, we can help you detect these problems in their earlier stages. Ideally, this means the underlying issue can be treated quickly and the implant post can either be saved or ultimately replaced.

During a visit for dental implant maintenance (which usually occurs in conjunction with a regular checkup), we’ll remove any plaque or tartar from the area above the gum line. We might also take X-rays, which can tell us if you’re suffering from any bone loss.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The lifespan of dental implants depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that dental implants last, it is important to brush, floss, and rinse with a mouthwash on a daily basis. Regular cleanings and checkups are also key as well as avoiding foods that are particularly hard or sticky. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last for 30 years or even longer. This is several times longer than other tooth replacement options, like traditional bridges or dentures.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The jawbone doesn’t have very many nerve endings and your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You will also most likely be sedated, which will lower your body’s ability to register pain. While the surgery shouldn’t hurt, your mouth may be sore for a few days after your procedure. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers as directed. Cold compresses can also help to lessen discomfort. If soreness worsens instead of subsiding after two to three days, give us a call!

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

Most patients need to take one or two days off to get dental implants, but if your job is physically demanding, you may want to take at least three or four days. Heavy exercise can divert blood from the implant site and delay healing, so it is best to avoid. Every case is different, so your dentist will be able to give you a more specific recommendation for your specific needs.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

It’s possible for smokers to get dental implants, but it’s important to note that smokers have a higher rate of dental implant failure than nonsmokers. Smoking tobacco causes dry mouth, slows down healing, and can interfere with the implants’ ability to fuse with the jawbone. Smoking also increases your risk for dry socket. If you smoke, you should quit for at least two weeks before your procedure and a minimum of two to three months afterwards. Of course, this is an excellent opportunity for you to give it up for good.

Can I Take Dental Implants Out?

Dental implants in Longmont are meant to treat tooth loss permanently. A dental implant is unlike any other treatment because it replaces the entire tooth structure, including the root. A titanium post is surgically placed into your jaw to serve as a root, which will support your restoration. Your bone will fuse to the implant through a process called osseointegration. Therefore, only a trained dental professional can remove your implant. Some implant dentures are removable for easy cleaning, but you cannot take out the posts.

What are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?

Dental implant failure occurs in less than 5% of cases, but you must be vigilant for any signs of a problem. The biggest cause of failure is a preventable infection called peri-implantitis, which is like gum disease. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are signs of an infection. Pain when placing pressure on the implant is also a symptom of an underlying problem. Do not wait to contact our office if you develop any concerns. The sooner you receive care, the more likely we can prevent dental implant failure.

What Should I Do If My Implant is Loose?

After your jaw has integrated with your implant, it should never feel loose. If your implant wiggles, you must take immediate action. It could be as simple as a loose restoration, or it can be something more severe, like an infection or bone loss. Your implant dentist in Longmont will pinpoint the problem to create the treatment plan you need to save your smile.

Can I Use My Dental Insurance for Dental Implants?

Your dental insurance will not cover the entire cost of your treatment, but it can be used to lower the amount you'll pay. Your benefits may include your consultation and any diagnostic imaging. You may be able to use your dental insurance for other aspects of your care, like your restorations. After meeting your annual deductible, you can use your yearly allowance for medically necessary treatments. We know dental insurance can be confusing, but you don't have to navigate your policy alone. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage. They will explain how your benefits are being used and review your payment options for any out-of-pocket costs, like financing. We will help you find the solutions you need to invest in the next best thing to your real teeth.