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To our patients, our office will be CLOSED from Monday, July 5th through Friday, July 9th for a much needed vacation!
We look forward to seeing you when we return on Monday, July 12th.

- Dr. Steinbach

Dental Implant Candidacy in Basalt, CO

Protecting Your Smile And Your Health

Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. They’re prosthetic teeth that are surgically implanted into the jaw bone and designed to replace the entire tooth from root to crown. Dental implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth in order to restore function and beauty to your smile. They’re also the only restoration option that stimulates jawbone growth, which can protect you from bone loss and help you avoid the “sunken” appearance associated with it. 

When looking to invest in dental implants, you want to be sure they’re the optimal restorative treatment for you and your dental needs. Reading the guide below can help you discover which treatments you qualify for as you begin to search for the perfect tooth loss solution.

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Elevate Dental Wellness

711 East Valley Road
Suite 201A
Basalt, CO 81621

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(970) 279-5647

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Who Makes A Good Candidate?

At Elevate Dental Wellness, we take a personalized approach to your dental needs and take all factors into account. While dental implants are a revolutionary, potentially permanent solution to tooth loss, not every patient may qualify. This is why Dr. Van Gorden and Dr. Steinbach take the time to understand your unique case during your initial consultation. By understanding your needs, goals, and circumstances, we can help you make the right decision and deliver results that not only enhance your smile and oral health but also protect your overall well-being. 

Dental implants may be the right solution for you if:

You want to enhance your smile with beautiful, natural-looking restorations.
You want to boost your confidence and feel happy again.
You want the freedom to eat and speak without hesitation.
You want to protect your health for years.
You want a long-lasting, effective solution for tooth loss.

You want to enhance your smile with beautiful, natural-looking restorations.

Dental implants are designed to mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth. Using advanced implant technology, we custom-craft each restoration to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth, so it can blend in seamlessly with your smile.

You want to boost your confidence and feel happy again.

Tooth loss often discourages people from smiling which can also have a negative effect on their mood. With dental implants, you no longer have to hide behind your hand when you talk. You can smile with confidence and feel happy again with your stunning new smile.

You want the freedom to eat and speak without hesitation.

With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in the gaps left behind by lost teeth, or feel embarrassed by your dentures sliding around when you speak anymore. Dental implants are made to function just like a natural tooth root and provide a secure base for your restoration, which allows you to eat all your favorite foods again and speak with ease.

You want to protect your health for years.

Dental implants are the only restorative treatment that can naturally restore your oral health and regenerate any lost jawbone. During the process of osseointegration, the implant post bonds with your jaw, maintaining your bone’s strength and providing ultimate stability for your final restoration.

You want a long-lasting, effective solution for tooth loss.

After your treatment is complete, you can help ensure the long-term success of your implant with proper oral care. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time, flossing once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash at the end of your hygiene routine paired with biannual visits at Elevate Dental Wellness will keep your mouth free of disease and radiating beauty all year long.

You have poor oral health.
Your jawbone is still growing.
Your jawbone doesn’t have sufficient density.
You have a weakened or compromised immune system.

You have poor oral health.

The foundation of oral health is keeping bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease at bay. Things like brushing twice a day, flossing before bed, and rinsing after meals can keep your mouth free of bacteria. When you lack a consistent at-home oral hygiene routine and don’t visit the dentist, you heighten your risk of accumulating this unhealthy bacteria, which is why preventive care is so important. 

If your teeth or gums show signs of decay or infection, it can complicate the success of your dental implant. During and after placement, your mouth and body become vulnerable while you heal. If there are unhealthy bacteria present, a surgical procedure can become the perfect opportunity for infection to develop and spread to other parts of your body.

Your jawbone is still growing.

Proper dental care for your child is important in setting them up for future dental success. While restorative procedures for children are not unheard of, Dr. Steinbach and Dr. Van Gorden may not recommend a dental implant depending on a variety of factors. As children’s jaws grow and develop, having a dental implant placed may hinder their permanent teeth from coming in properly, which is why our experienced dentists don’t recommend an implant procedure on patients whose jaws still have some ways to grow.

Your jawbone doesn’t have sufficient density.

Because implants are surgically implanted into the jaw, it’s imperative that you have enough jawbone to support the implant. During the healing process, the implant will fuse with your bone through a process called osseointegration which is what makes the implant stable and durable. If you lack enough jawbone, it can complicate this process.

You have a weakened or compromised immune system.

A vital part of the dental implant process is proper healing. After your implant is placed, your body needs time to heal while the implant fuses with your jawbone. The success of the implant relies heavily on your body’s natural healing ability. If you suffer from underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or autoimmune disorders or take certain medications such as steroids or beta blocks, dental implants may not be right for you.

Disqualifying Conditions

Dental implants have a 98% success rate and most people are good candidates. Candidacy relies on three factors: your oral health, the strength of your jawbone, and your immune system. 

Dental implants may not be right for you if:

Supplmental Procedures

If you have problems with your oral health or jawbone strength, you may not be immediately disqualified. Dr. Van Gorden and Dr. Steinbach may recommend a supplemental procedure before placing your dental implants in order to restore your oral health so we can ensure the success of your treatment.

young woman getting her teeth checked at the dentist

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have dentures, can I upgrade to dental implants?
If I have gum disease, can I still get dental implants?
What if my jawbone isn’t strong enough for dental implants?
How do I know if dental implants are right for me?

If I have dentures, can I upgrade to dental implants?

In most cases, yes! Quite a few of our patients have shown interest in upgrading from dentures to dental implants. Implant-supported dentures offer the best of both worlds, combining the convenience of dentures with the stability and long-term health benefits of implants.

If you’ve suffered from bone loss in your jaw or if you have gum disease, a supplemental procedure can prepare you for implant placement.

If I have gum disease, can I still get dental implants?

Healthy gums are crucial to the success of your implants, so patients with gum disease won’t be able to immediately qualify for the procedure. Thankfully, our dentists offer a variety of treatments to eliminate gum infections and restore the health of your smile. Once your gums are free of bacteria, you’ll be ready for implant placement.

What if my jawbone isn’t strong enough for dental implants?

A strong, dense jawbone is needed to support dental implants and help them last a long time. Unfortunately, when you lose a tooth, that area of your jawbone loses stimulation and starts to deteriorate. As a result, patients who are missing several or more teeth can experience significant bone loss in their jaw.

If your jawbone lacks the density to support implants, a bone grafting procedure will restore it to full strength and prepare you for surgery.

How do I know if dental implants are right for me?

Anyone who wants a permanent, natural-looking replacement for missing teeth can benefit from dental implants. Unlike dentures or other tooth replacement options, implants are secured to your jaw for unmatched stability. This allows you to eat, speak, and smile with total confidence.

Explore Your Options Today

For those who qualify, dental implants are a great way to permanently restore your smile. Our dentists customize every implant solution to blend in seamlessly with your smile. Once it’s in place, your implant will look and function like a natural tooth. Best of all, implants can last up to a lifetime with proper care. If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants or want to check your candidacy, schedule a consultation at our Basalt, CO office by calling (970) 279-5647 or filling out the contact form at the bottom of this page today.

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