Dental Implants in Fort Collins, CO

Do you take your healthy teeth for granted? When they function correctly, you don't really think much about what they do. But what happens if you lose a tooth because of a sports injury, advanced gum disease, or decay?

Dr. Ryan Rush knows that tooth loss for any reason can be devastating, but we like to focus on solutions. At our Fort Collins, CO dental office, we are pleased to offer dental implants that restore the appearance and function of your smile.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that replaces a real root after tooth loss. Our dentist places the implant post in your jawbone, and as it heals, it becomes part of your dental anatomy, just as your natural tooth root was.

Why Replace A Missing Tooth?

There are numerous reasons why it's a good idea to replace missing teeth:

• Each of your teeth has a specific job to do and work together so you can bite and chew comfortably and speak clearly. When a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth go into overdrive to make up for lost function and withstand chewing forces they weren't meant to, which leads to discomfort, uneven wear, and broken or fractured teeth.
• If you don't replace a missing tooth, adjacent teeth gradually drift into the gap, leading to tooth misalignment, bite problems, teeth grinding, and TMJ pain. 
• Your teeth support your lips and fill out facial features to give you a healthier, more youthful appearance. When tooth loss occurs, you lose the support, and over time, your face can take on a sunken or aged appearance.

For all these reasons, we always recommend replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible. If you aren't ready to commit to a dental implant, our dentist would be happy to discuss other tooth replacement options like bridges and dentures with you.

First, Dr. Rush takes 3-D cone beam CT scans and creates a surgical guide that allows him to pinpoint the optimal location to place your implant. Thanks to this precise planning, dental implant surgery at our Fort Collins dental office is straightforward, and the entire procedure takes about an hour. Dr. Rush performs the procedure under local anesthesia so you won't feel any pain. 

Over the next 3-6 months, bone and tissue in the jaw fuse with the implant post. This process is called osseointegration, and it is how the implant gains its strength and stability.

Dr. Rush will monitor you during the healing process until the implant has integrated fully with the surrounding bone. Now you're ready for the implant restoration—crown, bridge, or denture—that is visible when you smile. Once your tooth restoration is securely attached to the implant post, you have a tooth that functions just as well, if not better, than your real tooth.

Choosing Dental Implants Over Traditional Dentures

While traditional dentures can replace missing teeth, dental implants offer significant advantages over dentures. Implants are permanently anchored in your jawbone, providing unmatched stability and preventing the slipping and discomfort often associated with dentures. They also help preserve jawbone density, which can deteriorate with traditional dentures. With dental implants, you can enjoy a more natural feel, improved chewing efficiency, and no need for messy adhesives.

Implant Dentures Replace All Missing Teeth

If all your teeth in your upper or lower arch are missing, implant dentures offer the best of both worlds. Dr. Rush can place 4-6 dental implants at points along your jaw and design your denture to snap onto the implants to hold them firmly in place.

With implant dentures, you don't have to worry about constant movement and shifting and the embarrassment of awkward moments. Your dentures will stay in place no matter how hard you laugh or sneeze, and you can go back to eating all the foods you love without restriction.

Please Call for a Dental Implant Appointment in Fort Collins

Do you have one or more missing teeth and want a long-term solution? Please call the dental office of Ryan Rush DDS to schedule a consultation appointment to discuss dental implants and see if you are a good candidate.