How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Smile

Thanks to all the amazing dental technology we have at our disposal, it’s now easier than ever to replace teeth with realistic, resilient tooth replacements that look just like the real thing. Find out why more and more people are turning to our Thornton, CO, dentist Dr. Christina McMillion to get dental implants.

How does a dental implant work?

A small metal screw is inserted into the jawbone in the gap where your tooth used to be. To do this, our Thornton dentist will first administer local anesthesia to the area prior to making a small incision the gums, then placing the implant into the jawbone. Several implants can also be placed along the jawbone to support multiple false teeth (e.g. dentures).

How long does it take to get a dental implant?

It can several months to get a complete dental implant. The implant itself, which is placed into the jawbone, will not be visible when you smile. The purpose of the metal post is to support the false tooth, which sits above the gums. It can take several months for the jawbone and implant to fuse together. Once the bone and implant have bonded, then we will still need to place a special piece that links the implant with the false tooth.

This piece is known as an abutment. After securing the abutment on top of the implant, then we can cement the custom crown in place over the abutment.

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

If you are a healthy adult who is missing one, several or all of your teeth in Thornton, CO, then dental implants could be the ideal way to replace your missing teeth. We will need to check your teeth, gums and jawbone to make sure everything is strong and healthy enough to support the implant. These are things our dentist will discuss with you during your consultation.

Hearthside Dentistry in Thornton, CO, prides itself on providing comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dental care to patients of all ages. Dealing with tooth loss? We can help you.