Are you missing teeth as a result of disease or damage? Are you looking to improve the appearance of your smile? Want to chew normally again? Implant dentistry offers a wonderful and permanent solution. At Salcetti & Associates, we provide patients the highest level of periodontal care for dental implants in Colorado Springs. We get those choppers looking and feeling great again. And for many, the results are life changing!
If you suffer from tooth loss, you’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, more than 500,000 Americans get dental implants each year. And that number continues to grow due to high patient satisfaction rates. In fact, the success rate is 98 percent according to various scientific reports.
No more hiding your smile. No more difficulty chewing. Dental implants offer a permanent solution to restore and even enhance the appearance and function of your teeth. They are strong and feel natural in your mouth. You can bite and chew normally. And they’re straight, aligned, and blend with your natural teeth – which allows you to once again face the world with a big wonderful smile.
Go with a ‘Top Doc’
Some dentists offer dental implant services with only a certificate of training. They are not certified by the American Board of Periodontology, and they may lack experience. For your dental implants procedure, be sure to go with a ‘Top Doc.’ Dr. Jeanne Salcetti is regularly recognized in the community and by her professional peers for her exceptional periodontal care. She has extensive board-certified training and more than 25 years experience. Going with a specialist with more training and experience reduces risk for complications and best assures you optimal outcomes.
The first step is to schedule an appointment at Salcetti & Associates. Dr. Salcetti helps you decide if dental implants is the right procedure for you. Give us a call today …
I have had 2 tooth implants place by Dr. Salcetti over the last 2 years. Dr. Salcetti is a true professional but provides that personal touch necessary to put patients at ease. Mostly importantly, you can trust her to make the right clinical decision and generate a treatment plan that is right for you. As a bonus, her office staff is accommodating and friendly. – Bob Kiley, MD
VIDEO: Implant Dentistry Overview
In this video, Dr. Jeanne Salcetti answers questions you may have such as What is a dental implant? How long do they last? What are the success rates? Why choose a periodontist? Implants vs. dentures? Watch the video now:
Keep reading to learn more …
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant, or endosseous implant, or fixture, is basically an artificial tooth root. It is placed into the jaw. Once placed, this artificial root holds a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or denture for the replacement tooth. The implant root is usually made of titanium. The gums naturally heal and the implant bonds to the bone. This overall process is called osseointegration.
As we age, our tooth integrity and gums/jawbone naturally deteriorates. It’s common for older people to replace many, if not all of their teeth. We sometimes call this our ‘third set of teeth,’
Dental implants are considered the standard and most effective procedure to replace missing teeth. The are two main types:
- Endosteal: This type of dental implant is placed in the bone. This implant includes blades, cylinders and screws. They are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Each implant can hold one or more prosthetic teeth. This specific kind of implant is often used as an alternative for patients who have removable dentures or bridges.
- Subperiosteal: This type of dental implant sets on the bone. It is placed on the bone using metal framework posts that protrudes through the gum and holds the prosthesis. In most cases, this type of implant is used by patients who are unable to wear traditional dentures or those who have minimal bone height.
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The Process:
Implants may involve two separate surgical procedures:
Placement: The first part of the process is placing the implant into your jawbone. Each person heals differently. However, it typically takes anywhere from three to six months for the implant to bond with the jawbone. You usually have a temporary solution, either a bonded tooth or removable flipper during this healing time.
Restoration: The second part of the implant process begins when the implant has successfully bonded to the jawbone. Dr. Salcetti uncovers the implant and attaches a small healing collar. After two weeks time, your restorative dentist will fabricate your final tooth. To do this, they may take an impression or use a digital scanner. The crowns or dentures are then attached to your implants. The whole process takes between six and eight months. Although a lengthy procedure, most patients go through the process without it disrupting much of their day-to-day lives.
How Do I Know If I Need Dental Implants?
Implant surgery is used for …
- Missing a Single Tooth: If you are missing only a single tooth, you might think that you aren’t a candidate for a dental implant. However, you can replace a single missing tooth by getting one implant and a crown.
- Missing Several Teeth: If you are missing several teeth, you are an ideal candidate for dental implants. This procedure inserts implants to support new teeth. This procedure can successfully replace several missing teeth.
- Missing All Your Teeth: You can get full dentures or implant-supported full bridges to replace all of your teeth.
- Healthy Mouth: In general, if you are considering dental implants you must have good oral health. You also must have enough bone in your jaw to support your implants. For best results, you should also have healthy gum tissue and not have any type of periodontal disease.
As you can see, implants are used for functional, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.
Why Choose a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who receives advanced training and is board-certified by the American Board of Periodontology for procedures like dental implants. They specialize in caring for the structures of your teeth and treating gum diseases. This is called periodontology or periodontics.
When it comes to your teeth, there are two important supportive structures (periodontium): essentially, your jaw bone and gums. A periodontist receives extensive medical education to treat tooth and bone loss. A periodontist also specializes in the treatment of gum diseases. In most cases, they have additional training that includes the following:
How to Place the Implant: There are some general dentists who receive a certificate to place tooth implants. This might be part of cosmetic dentistry services they offer. However, they still don’t have the same extensive training as a periodontist. Lack of experience and training can lead to significant mistakes. Choosing a periodontist like Dr. Salcetti best assures your implants are placed properly and comfortably. This also minimizes complications.
- How to Keep Infection From the Implant Site: One of the main risks is infection of the tissue or inflammatory bone loss around the tooth (or peri-implantitis). When a site becomes infected, it can be very painful and interfere with your dental implants. Periodontists are specifically trained to correctly treat such disease. This reduces your risk of infection.
- How to Monitor Implant Site: Periodontists know what to look for in the implant site after a procedure. They have the proper imaging equipment and training to find possible infection or other issues during that affect the integrity of your dental implants.
In most cases, Dr. Salcetti works as a team with your regular dentist. Other specialists, such as an oral surgeon or prosthodontist, may be part of the team as well. Throughout the process, you receive coordinated care to best ensure an optimal outcome.
At What Age Can an Implant be Placed?
You must have a fully developed jawbone in order to support a tooth implant. Therefore, individuals are usually 17 to 18 years old before they are a good candidate. However, each person is different. Therefore, a younger person can sometimes have a jawbone that is developed enough to hold an implant. Older individuals are usually the best candidates for dental implants. There have been successful procedures in people in their 80s and on up to their 90s. In fact, there is usually no age limit as long as the jawbone is healthy.
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Answers to Common Concerns People Have
Do Dental Implants Come Out?
Dental implants permanently replace your real teeth. Therefore, you never remove them. Your crown might need occasional adjustments, but should the implant should last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene.
Do They Hurt?
Typically, the pain associated with dental implants is mild. Of course, if infection sets in, the pain can intensify. However, when all goes as planned, dental implants are relatively painless procedure. It is usually only immediately after the procedure that a patient might need some pain medication.
How Safe Is Implant Surgery?
In general, dental implants are a safe procedure. The dental implant itself is usually titanium. There are no side effects. Titanium tends to integrate and bond well with dental tissues and bone.
What Can Go Wrong?
Of course, you dramatically reduce your risk of complications if you choose an experienced periodontist like Jeanne M. Salcetti, DDS, MS. However, even with a specialist, there are some risks to any procedure. The greatest risk associated with dental implants include the following:
- bleeding
- infection
- implant failure
- injury to your nerves or sinuses (this is an extremely rare complication)
How to Take Care of Dental Implants?
You care for your dental implants just as you would normally. Brush and floss your teeth daily. You do need to be careful to not scratch your implants though. Also keep up your regular dental cleanings. During cleanings, your dental hygienists use different tools to clean your implants. Dr. Salcetti also provides specific instructions to care for your implants.
How Much Does Dental Implant Surgery Cost?
How much you can expect to pay for your dental implant surgery varies based on several factors, such as the need for possible bone grafting. When you visit Salcetti & Associates for an evaluation, we can discuss the specific costs.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Implant Dentistry?
Some dental insurance companies cover dental implants pretty well, others do not. However, we help you submit a claim to your insurance so you get all entitled benefits.
Should You Get Dental Implants or Dentures?
If you have lost all your teeth, you have two primary choices. You can either get dental implants or dentures.
There are benefits of each. However, dental implants are more like your real teeth, because you don’t have to remove them. They also function in much the same way as natural teeth.
The following are some reasons that dental implants are superior to other treatments that serve the role of replacement teeth:
- Long-Term Solution: Bridges only last between five to seven years, and dentures also wear out over time. However, dental implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly. Therefore, dental implants are a permanent long-term solution to missing teeth.
- Most Natural Solution: Your permanent teeth cannot be restored once dead or damaged. Although dental implants offer a close-to-natural solution. They feel and function just like your regular teeth.
- Keeps Bones Healthy: When you leave a gaping hole in your mouth where a tooth once was, it can lead to loss and deterioration of your jawbone. This happens because the jawbone naturally deteriorates when not used to support your teeth. Dental implants are the only option for restoration that encourages natural bone growth and helps keep the jawbone strong.
- They Are Always in Your Mouth: If your dentures don’t fit just right, they can slip out on you. This is of course embarrassing. They also don’t function like your own teeth. In contrast, dental implants are always in your mouth. You don’t have to worry about them falling out or breaking like you do with dentures.
- You Aren’t Limited in What You Can Eat: Dentures often limit what you can eat. Dental implants allow you to eat virtually anything you want. You can better taste food as well.
- Prevents Damage to Surrounding Teeth: If you have only lost one or a few teeth, not all your teeth, you need to think about protecting the healthy teeth surrounding the empty spaces. When a bridge is placed (which is another treatment option), surrounding teeth are ground down on both sides of the missing teeth. Of course, doing this damages otherwise healthy teeth. Dental implants are installed in the jawbone. Therefore, they don’t interfere the surrounding teeth.
- Best Treatment: The other options for restoring teeth like bridgework and removable appliances like dentures aren’t always effective at replacing teeth. Dental implants have a great track record of success, though, making them a more reliable treatment option.
Choose the Trusted Leader in Colorado Springs Dental Implants
Your search for ‘dental implants colorado springs‘ is over. Insist on the best dental implants treatment in Colorado Springs by Dr. Jeanne Salcetti, a highly respected periodontist with more than 20 years experience.
Restore the function and appearance of your teeth after losing one, several, or all of them! Call Salcetti & Associates to schedule a consultation and learn if implants are right for you. We explain the procedure details and let you know what to expect for results. We also help you determine how much your dental insurance covers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Salcetti: