Dental Implants in Cortez, CO

Missing teeth can affect your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Dental implants are a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring function. At Alpine Dental Care, we specialize in both the placement of dental implants and dental implant restoration to ensure that your smile remains healthy, functional, and beautiful for years to come. Whether you’re missing teeth or need maintenance for your existing implants, Dr. Pyle and our team in Cortez, Colorado, provide the expert care you need to achieve a fully restored smile.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they serve as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. Once the implant fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, a custom-made prosthetic tooth (such as a crown, bridge, or denture) is attached to the implant. Implants provide a durable, permanent solution that mimics the look and function of natural teeth, offering both cosmetic and functional benefits.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Natural Appearance: Implants blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, offering a lifelike and aesthetically pleasing result.
• Restores Function: Dental implants allow you to chew, speak, and smile just as you would with natural teeth.
• Long-lasting Solution: With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a durable and cost-effective solution for tooth replacement.
• Preserves Jawbone Health: Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that often occurs when teeth are missing.
• Prevents Shifting Teeth: Implants help maintain the alignment of your remaining teeth by filling the gap left by a missing tooth.

The Dental Implant Process

Getting dental implants involves several steps, often over the course of a few months:

1. Consultation: Dr. Pyle will evaluate your oral health, take digital images, and review your medical history to determine if dental implants are the best option for you.
2. Implant Placement: The implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia. After the surgery, the implant requires time to fuse with the bone, a process that can take a few months.
3. Abutment Placement: Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, an abutment (a connector piece) is placed on top of the implant to support the prosthetic tooth.
4. Custom Prosthetic: Finally, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the abutment, restoring your smile to full function and beauty.

What is Dental Implant Restoration?

While dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution, the prosthetic crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant may need maintenance or replacement over time. Dental implant restoration refers to the process of repairing or replacing the components of a dental implant that have become worn, damaged, or misaligned. The titanium post itself is extremely durable, but the attached prosthetics may need adjustments or replacement after years of wear.

Reasons for Dental Implant Restoration

• Damaged or Worn Prosthetics: The crown, bridge, or denture may wear down or become damaged over time and need to be replaced.
• Loosening of the Restoration: Over time, the prosthetic attached to your implant may loosen or detach, requiring professional adjustment or replacement.
• Cosmetic Concerns: If your implant restoration no longer matches the appearance of your natural teeth, we can replace it for a seamless look.
• Implant Complications: In rare cases, the implant itself may develop complications such as infection or bone loss. Prompt treatment is necessary to preserve both the implant and your oral health.

How We Perform Dental Implant Restoration

At Alpine Dental Care, we assess the condition of your implant and prosthetic to determine the best course of action. The restoration process may involve:

• Prosthetic Replacement: If the crown, bridge, or denture is worn or damaged, we will replace it with a new custom-made prosthetic that fits perfectly.
• Adjustment or Repair: In some cases, a loose restoration can be adjusted or repaired without needing a full replacement.
• Treatment of Underlying Issues: If there are complications such as infection or bone loss, Dr. Pyle will address these issues to ensure your long-term oral health.