Dental Implants in Pueblo, CO

What are Dental Implants?

If you have a missing tooth, or teeth, and are in need of a restoration such as a crown, bridge, or denture, a dental implant is typically the first step towards rebuilding your smile. Dental implants are metal posts that are often made of titanium. The dental implant acts as a tooth root to secure false teeth and/or other restorations. Sometimes without sufficient support, a fixture (like a crown, bridge, and denture) is not able to be placed. At Oral Surgery Specialists of Pueblo, our highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer dental implants to help men and women throughout Pueblo regain their oral health and obtain a natural-looking smile.

Are Dental Implants Right for Me?

You may be an ideal candidate for dental implants if you need to replace a missing tooth or several teeth due to decay, damage, or an injury. Dental implants can also be used to restore an entire upper or lower arch of missing teeth. Those who are considering dental implants should also have sufficient gum and bone tissue to hold the implants in place. Without healthy gums and proper bone mass, dental implants are not able to be placed as successfully. Because our oral surgery office practices cutting-edge techniques, we are able to offer treatments such as bone grafts and ridge preservation to restore the jawbone. This way, our oral surgeons can prepare the layout of the jawbone and gingiva (gums) for successful dental implant placement in the future. When you visit our office in Pueblo, we will be happy to discuss your dental implant options during a private consultation.

How are Dental Implants Placed?

Oral Surgery Specialists of Pueblo utilizes state-of-the-art technology such as Cone Beam imaging to capture detailed scans of your jaw. Cone Beam images, also known as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), allow our surgeons to better understand your overall oral condition and needs. This diagnostic test helps us determine the ideal treatment approach for your oral needs as it portrays a detailed visual of your bone, nerves, and teeth. These detailed visuals create a trusted pinpoint for the appropriate insertion site needed for dental implants. In some cases, a tooth extraction will be performed first before the dental implant can be placed. Depending on the bone density and some other circumstances, it is possible for our oral surgeons to place the dental implant immediately after the tooth extraction. In other occasions, a bone graft may be performed in preparation for dental implant placement in the future.

We strive to provide a comfortable and relaxing experience for all of our patients, which is why we are proud to offer a variety of sedation options. After being comfortably seated in one of our private treatment rooms, you will receive sedation to achieve a relaxing, deep sleep. During sedation, the designated treatment area in your mouth will be numbed and your treatment will begin. A small incision will be made to safely and carefully insert the dental implant. The titanium post will be secured to the jawbone and sutures will be made to seal the incision. It is common for our oral surgeons to utilize the modern technique of guided implant surgery to provide strong, optimal results.

What to Expect After Implant Surgery

Before you are released, we will review all Post-Operative Instructions with you and with the responsible adult that will be driving you home. Our Post-Operative Instructions are your guide for understanding how to care for your mouth as you heal. We may also give you a prescription or bottle of medicated mouthwash to use for a few days to assist in recovery. You should expect to experience some mild swelling and discomfort, but cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication can help ease these symptoms.

Over the next few months as your mouth heals, your dental implants will integrate with the surrounding tissue. This process creates optimal support and strength that enables the restoration material such as the crown, bridge, and denture to rebuild a natural, radiant- looking smile. Once we have cleared you for restoration, you can reach out to your family dentist to create a customized crown, bridge, or denture.

Are Dental Implants Covered by Insurance?

Many dental plans offer some coverage for dental implants; however, this will vary depending on your provider and the benefits package you hold. Our Insurance Specialist Team will get in touch with your insurer to review your plan and confirm the amount of coverage that is available. If you have limited coverage or are paying out-of-pocket, we can provide you with information on low-interest medical financing through CareCredit® and CredCompare. CredCompare involves a simple application process that performs a soft credit pull with no affect to your credit score. Once submitted for prequalification, CredCompare allows several different financing companies to review your patient profile and to compete for assistance in your healthcare investment.

Effective Tooth Loss Solutions

Oral Surgery Specialists of Pueblo is committed to providing you with exceptional oral care and invites you to our office to schedule a private consultation with one of our experts. We understand that undergoing surgery can be nerve-wracking, but dental implants can be the solution to restoring your smile and oral health. We are here to help answer any questions you may have and are eager to discuss all of your options to determine the best approach for you.