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(720) 464-7277 
Find A Location Losing a tooth can affect how you chew even before it changes your smile. Replacing missing teeth helps keep your bite balanced and supports your dental health. If you’re thinking about dental implants in Thornton, the first step is to see what options fit your needs and lifestyle. At The Dental Team’s Thornton South office, we’ll look at your situation, discuss your goals, and create a plan that makes sense to you.
Dental implants are one way to replace missing teeth, but they’re not the only option.
During your consultation, we’ll talk about your oral health, what you want for your smile, and other ways to replace teeth. We consider your gums, jawbone, bite, nearby teeth, medical history, and budget. Then we’ll explain if an implant, bridge, or denture is right for you. If you need other treatment first, we’ll let you know how it affects the process and cost.
Our Thornton team offers implant care along with the restorative dentistry needed to complete your smile. We focus on practical details—what’s possible, how long the process might take, and how to care for your new tooth. Your plan will be tailored to your needs, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
A dental implant is a small post placed in your jawbone to hold a replacement tooth. It works like a natural tooth root, though it can’t fully replace a real tooth. As you heal, bone grows around the post to keep it secure. A connector, called an abutment, attaches the implant to a custom crown, bridge, or denture. The visible part is shaped to fit your bite and match your other teeth. Even a well-matched crown needs regular care.
An implant provides support under the gum and replaces the visible tooth above. It doesn’t have the nerves or ligaments of a natural tooth, so it still needs to be cleaned and checked regularly. Over time, the crown, connector, or implant itself might need repair or replacement.
1. Evaluation and options. We review your medical history, examine your mouth, and take appropriate X-rays or other imaging to assess the jawbone and nearby structures. This helps the dentist determine whether dental implants are a sound option for you. We also check for gum disease or decay that should be addressed before implant placement. Your treatment plan will explain alternatives and the likely number of visits.
2. Prepare the site. If a damaged tooth remains, it may need extraction. If bone volume is insufficient, bone grafting may be recommended. A graft can add time to the process, and it does not guarantee that an implant will be possible.
3. Place the implant. Once the site is ready, local anesthesia is used and the implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone. Your dentist will explain who will perform each part of your care and whether a temporary tooth is appropriate.
4. Allow healing, then restore. The implant needs time to integrate with bone. The timing varies with the site, your health, and any additional procedures. When the foundation is ready, an abutment and final crown, bridge, or denture can be attached. We check the fit and how your teeth come together before you leave.
A missing tooth can make chewing on one side more difficult. It can also leave nearby teeth with less support and may cause changes in the bone where the tooth was lost. Dental implants restore chewing surfaces without needing support from other teeth, unlike a bridge. Bone health, gum health, and your bite shape all matter. Implants help stimulate the jawbone, which may slow bone loss in that area, but they can’t prevent every change in your jaw or gums.
There isn’t one best way to replace every missing tooth. Sometimes a bridge is faster, and removable dentures might be better for cost, fit, or personal preference. We’ll discuss the pros and cons with you instead of assuming you want surgery.
Implant-supported teeth can feel stable when you chew and speak. For a single missing tooth, the implant can support a crown without preparing the adjacent teeth solely to hold a bridge. For several missing teeth, strategically placed implants may support a bridge or help hold a denture more securely.
Dental implants offer many benefits, but they work best with good planning and regular care. You’ll need to look after the implant and the surrounding gums to keep everything healthy. Implants can sometimes get inflamed or infected, and the replacement tooth can wear out or break. Brushing, cleaning around the implant, and seeing your dentist regularly are all important.
Many adults with missing teeth can be considered for implants. A good candidate has enough healthy bone to support the implant or a plan to build it, healthy gums, and can heal well after surgery. Age isn’t the only factor. Smoking, gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, some medications, and other health issues can increase risks or affect your plan. Please share your medical history so we can give you honest advice.
If you’ve worn a denture for years or just lost a tooth, don’t assume you can or can’t get an implant. The amount and location of bone you have are important. After we take images and examine your mouth, we might talk about bone grafting, a different implant setup, or another way to replace your tooth.
It’s normal to have some soreness, swelling, or minor bleeding after getting an implant. Follow your clinician’s advice about medication, oral care, eating soft foods, and activity.
Check which over-the-counter medicine is safe for you before using it. Don’t smoke while you heal, as it can slow down recovery. Call our office if bleeding doesn’t stop, pain or swelling gets worse, you have a fever, or your implant or temporary tooth feels loose.
Your gums might feel better before the bone is ready for the final tooth. Keep your follow-up appointments, even if you feel okay. We’ll check your healing before moving forward.
Our goal is to give you a replacement that fits your bite and lets you eat and speak comfortably. A single crown can fill one gap, and implants can also support a bridge or denture if you’re missing several teeth. Results, treatment time, and how long they last can vary. While no implant lasts forever, careful planning and regular care can help yours last a long time.
Start with what you need the replacement to do. A single gap, several missing teeth, or an uncomfortable denture may call for different solutions. At a consultation, we can compare the procedure, healing time, upkeep, and expected costs of dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Your dentist can help you decide which tradeoffs you are comfortable with.
We numb the area with local anesthesia. You might feel some pressure during the procedure and some soreness afterward. Let us know if you feel sharp pain during treatment. We can talk about comfort options before your visit.
The timing depends on whether you need an extraction or bone graft, how fast you heal, and the type of final tooth you get. Bone healing can take a few months. We’ll give you a timeline that fits your treatment, not a generic estimate.
In some cases, we can place an implant right after removing a tooth. However, infection, bone support, or the tooth’s position might mean it’s safer to wait. We’ll check your situation before recommending when to place the implant.
A bridge relies on nearby teeth for support, while a removable denture sits on your gums and can be taken out for cleaning. An implant holds the replacement tooth from the jawbone. Each option involves different procedures, care, timing, and costs.
The cost depends on how many implants you need, any imaging, grafting, or extractions, and the type of final tooth. Insurance coverage varies. After your exam, we’ll give you an estimate and talk about insurance and payment options.
Come see us at The Dental Team’s Thornton South office at 8451 Delaware St., Thornton, CO 80260, or call (720) 464-7277 to set up a visit. We’ll help you understand your options before you decide on treatment.
