Dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement if you are missing one or even all of your teeth. They provide the most natural, secure and lifelike solution to missing teeth.
If you are missing one or several teeth, implants are now the standard of care for replacement. The poor fit and cosmetic shortcomings of partial dentures and bridges no longer need to be tolerated.
For those who are missing all or most of their teeth, dental implants can anchor and support a full denture or even replace it entirely with “teeth” that are permanently screwed into implants that act like artificial tooth roots.
With implants, you will not have to worry about loose dentures, an inconsistent fit, or other embarrassments such as unpleasant taste, bad breath, or poor appearance. In addition to improving self-esteem, dental implants will also make a big difference in your overall physical health and appearance.
As a result of losing one or more teeth, you inevitably lose mass in your jaw. This affects the overall skeletal structure of your face which not only changes your profile, but also may result in thin lips, drooping muscles, jowls or witch’s chin. Spreading bone loss in the jaw affects the gums and ridges in your mouth, as well as the muscles and nerves in and around the mouth. These conditions, which are the inevitable consequence of tooth loss, are associated with a host of anatomic and clinical problems, ranging from increased tongue size, to looseness of remaining teeth, to loss of sensation, to severely painful conditions. These conditions may only be avoided through use of dental implants, because implants may halt and even reverse the bone loss that results from losing teeth.
Dr. Howard is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and has over 22 years experience placing and restoring dental implants. In addition, Dr. Howard has lectured and instructed fellow dentists in implant dentistry. As one of the first dentists in Northern Colorado to provide new surgical advances such as computer guided minimally invasive surgery and advanced bone grafting using new bone regeneration materials (rhBMP-2), Dr. Howard is one of the leading providers of implant dentistry in our area.
Implant dentistry has advanced considerably in the last several years. Implant dentistry now offers more choices to almost all patients who are missing just one or all of their teeth.
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone. As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration. After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges or dentures. Dental implants are the most natural replacement for a missing tooth.
The maximum bite force of a traditional denture ranges from 5 to 50 pounds. Almost 1/3 of denture wearers are able to eat only soft or mashed foods, and 50% avoid many foods. 17% claim that they chew more effectively without dentures!
By contrast, patients with implant-supported restorations may increase their bite force by 85% within 2 months of completing treatment, and by 300% after three years. Implant-supported dentures and bridges function similarly to natural teeth.
Click on each image below to view the video.
| Overview of Implant Mandible Options |
Overview of Implant Maxilla Options |
Single Tooth Implant |