How Do Dental Implants Work?

If you have lost a tooth, dental implants are an ideal way for replacing it.  This is a permanent solution that can make it easy to enjoy your favorite foods, speak clearly, and behave like you have a full set of natural teeth.  Unlike temporary solutions like dentures, once the implant is installed there are no additional maintenance requirements so you can enjoy an active lifestyle free from worrying about your teeth. 

This is a relatively new procedure in dentistry and has only been widely performed for the past couple decades. Previously, if someone lost a tooth the standard solution was to provide them with a partial set of dentures or to use a dental bridge to replace it.  Both of these solutions are effective but come with their own set of challenges.  For example, dentures do not feel like natural teeth and have to be taken out at night to clean and soak. They can also become loose when speaking or eating.  A dental bridge will feel like a natural tooth but in order to have it installed the teeth surrounding your missing tooth need to be strong enough to support the procedure.  

Dr. Steele provides dental implants to patients who want to have a permanent and carefree solution for their missing tooth or teeth.  Implants can also be used to replace crooked teeth and to give someone a smile makeover.  They are incredibly durable and should last a lifetime.  Here is how the process works:

Step One: Dr. Steele will conduct an examination to determine if your gums and jawbone are healthy and strong enough to support a dental implant.  If not, there are additional procedures that can be done to get them in better shape.

Step Two: A mold will be taken of your mouth and existing teeth so that the dental lab can create a new synthetic tooth.  The tooth will be made to match your existing teeth in size, shape, and color.  They will look completely natural once finished.  Since they are made of ceramic, it is stain resistant but also resistant to bleaching.  If you want to whiten your teeth you should do so before having the implant created.  

Step Three: Dr. Steele will implant a metal rod underneath the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This serves as a synthetic root system that is as durable as a natural one.  The metal rod will eventually fuse with the jawbone and allow the tooth to stand on its own without depending on the surrounding teeth for strength.  This process can take several months but is the key to the long-term durability of the tooth. 

Step Four: The new tooth (or teeth) will be attached to a second metal piece that fits between the metal rod and the tooth to secure it in place.  Dr. Steele will position the tooth perfectly so that it is straight, beautiful, and natural looking.  The result is a stunning smile. 

Dental implants are an ideal way to restore both the appearance and functionality of your smile.  To learn more, schedule an appointment with Steele Dentistry of Stapleton today.

A Sedation Dentist Can Make Your Dental Visit Comfortable and Pain-Free

If you want a comfortable experience, visit a sedation dentist.  This is the latest trend in dentistry that makes having dental work done pain-free and relaxing.  Millions of adults suffer from some form of dental anxiety.  This is often due to an unpleasant experience as a child or a fear that dental work will hurt, even though modern dental procedures rarely do. Dr. Steele understands that many patients have these concerns and offers solutions to make their experience more comfortable. 

Sedation dentistry can be used when having a cavity treated or a cosmetic procedure like dental veneers or dental implants.  The level of sedation is dependent upon the type of procedure being performed, your concerns, and any anxiety that you may have.  Dr. Steele is sensitive to her patient’s needs and meets with each patient to determine the best course of treatment so that everyone can be comfortable when visiting Steele Dentistry of Stapleton.

As a sedation dentist, Dr. Steele customizes her approach to dental treatments and pain relief.  Some of the most common forms of sedation are:

• Laughing gas.  Many people don’t need pain relief but need to relax so that they are not anxious during dental treatments.  This can apply to everything including teeth whitening.  The worry or fear that some people have makes their experience unpleasant when it doesn’t have to be. Breathing in laughing gas can take away those anxieties or fears. 
• Mild sedation.  This can include a pill or a shot of numbing medication to the area that is being treated.  This is commonly used when treating a small cavity.  This localized anesthesia is targeted to a specific area and doesn’t impact the rest of the mouth. This way you can feel normal fairly quickly after the procedure has been completed.  You will also be completely aware during the procedure and able to respond to commands. 
• Moderate sedation.  This is used for pain relief, often in conjunction with laughing gas to relieve anxiety.  With moderate sedation, you might need help responding to commands and some people feel very sleepy.  This is an ideal solution for people getting dental veneers or a procedure that may take more time to complete. 
• Complete sedation.  When having a procedure performed like dental implants, complete sedation is more common.  This is generally administered by an IV and will put you completely asleep and unable to respond to commands.  The main benefit is that you won’t remember anything about the procedure.   People getting oral surgery will benefit the most from this type of sedation but will need to be monitored afterwards to ensure that they wake up comfortably.  

As a sedation dentist, Dr. Steele can provide you with the pain relief you need to calm any fears and feel comfortable during your dental procedures.  She uses the latest in modern dental technology to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Steele Dentistry of Stapleton today.