This four-part article series explains what you should do in the event that you lose one or more of your adult teeth, whether it is the result of an accident or tooth decay.

1. Lost a Tooth? Now What? Colorado Springs Cosmetic
Dentists Walk Us Through the Process, PART 2
This four-part article series explains what you should do in the event that you lose one or more of your
adult teeth, whether it is the result of an accident or tooth decay.
Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series in which we speak to a panel of
experienced Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists on tooth loss and the virtues of dental implants.
Previously, we began by discussing the various causes of tooth loss – tooth decay, gum disease and
accidental trauma. We then
asked what should be done in
the event that a tooth needs
to be extracted and it was
briefly explained that most
experienced dentists will first
discuss a patient’s options
with them in detail. Let’s pick
up where we left off…
So, if I need a tooth pulled
because of, for example,
decay, my dentist will talk
to me about my options,
right?

2. “They should! If they don’t consult with you first, you may want to consider looking for a new dental
healthcare professional. Your dentist should explain to you what technologies are available for the
replacement of missing teeth and the advantages, disadvantages and costs of each. Any dentist in Colorado
Springs would want you to make as informed a decision as possible and so he or she will discuss all your
possible options and address all your concerns before proceeding. What’s important, however, is that you
do make a decision and act swiftly, because teeth that are left without replacement tend to cause all sorts of
problems.”
Okay, so my decision is to have a missing tooth replaced with a dental implant. Can it be done on the
same day as my extraction?
“In some cases it’s possible to place the implant the day of the extraction, but in many cases a separate
appointment will be scheduled for dental implant surgery, especially if a tooth has considerable bone loss
around it, which may need to be grafted prior to implant placement. Dental implant surgery, as with any
surgery, requires detailed planning. It typically requires X-rays and in advanced cases of gum disease and
the loss of many teeth, it can even require CBCT scans. So, most dentists in Colorado Springs will require
you to return to their practice on a scheduled day for your procedure.”
Is there anything I need to do in
preparation for my surgery?
“Typically, no. You just need to show up on
time, but if you have been diagnosed with
tooth decay, you may want to assess your
lifestyle and daily habits and try to improve
upon them. Tooth decay can happen to
anyone; even to those who do brush and floss
regularly, but it certainly happens more
frequently to those who don’t and to those
who smoke, eat unhealthy foods and who
haven’t seen a dentist in years.”
“If you are a smoker, it is advised that you cease tobacco-use as soon as you decide to have dental implants
placed because it increases your risk of implant failure quite considerably. Smoking also retards the healing
process and can render post-operative infection more likely. Lastly, if you’re having many or all of your
teeth replaced, your surgeon may recommend a general anesthetic in which case you may be required to
come in for surgery with an empty stomach. Your dental implant surgeon will explain all of this in detail to
you prior to treatment,” explain the Colorado Springs cosmetic dentists.”
Stay Tuned for Part 3
To find out more about the journey involved in getting teeth replaced with dental implants, stay tuned for
the third installment of this four-part article series.