DENTAL IMPLANTS
Replace missing teeth for better function and fashion with dental implants.
Tooth Loss Effects
When you are missing one or more teeth, not only is it a cosmetic concern, but it can also be a concern for your overall and dental health. Having less teeth means that it can be more difficult to eat crunchy and chewy foods such as vegetables, grains, and meats. This makes it difficult to get all the nutrients in your everyday diet. But don’t worry, dental implants can help.
It has been shown that people with full sets of teeth live longer than others who have an incomplete smile. Having missing teeth also puts excessive pressure on existing teeth, making them more likely to break and develop gum disease. This effects multiplies as more teeth are lost, making it difficult to keep the existing teeth healthy.
Single or Multiple Tooth Replacement
Dental implants can help to replace missing teeth, making it feel like you never lost them to begin with. The disadvantage of replacing teeth with dentures or crown & bridge is the bone where the tooth used to be begins to atrophy and shrink. This can cause a ‘sinking’ appearance in the face, making your face look prematurely aged.
Dental implants stimulate the jaw bone just like natural teeth, halting bone loss. Dental implants are much easier to clean than crowns & bridges. The primary reason for crown & bridge failure is decay, as they are very difficult to keep clean. And unfortunately, when a crown & bridge fails, one or both of the teeth holding the bridge in place can be lost as well, making it even more difficult to replace. (have picture of crown and bridge vs implant)
What Are Dental Implants
Dental implants are one way to replace missing teeth. They are metal posts that are surgically placed in your jawbone that help to stimulate your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Implants are an alternative choice to bridges in tooth replacement. With a bridge, the teeth around the missing tooth are prepped as they would be for a crown. With an implant, the neighbouring teeth would not need to be altered, keeping their integrity. When using a bridge or a partial, your jawbone will begin to lose bone where the tooth once was, resulting in a sunken appearance in the face. An implant ensures the bone remains.
What Is The Process For Getting a Dental Implant
The process for getting a dental implant can vary slightly depending on your situation. If your tooth has been missing for a long time, there might not be enough bone in your jaw for an implant placement. In this case, we would proceed with a bone graft to add anchoring and support to the implant area.
Once you are ready for an implant, you will be scheduled for an outpatient surgical placement. If the damaged tooth is still in place, it will be removed first. In some cases, an implant can be placed immediately while in others, it might need to heal first. After the post has been placed and your jawbone has healed, then an abutment and crown can be placed to complete the process.
Why Do People Choose Dental Implants
Dental implants have several advantages that lead to people choosing them over other options. To begin with, if you have healthy teeth, but have lost one, a bridge would mean having teeth that were healthy prepped, losing tooth structure. An implant is also cleaned exactly like a natural tooth, meaning you brush and floss it like normal. A bridge has a space where the tooth used to be that has to be cleaned under. Implants can be used instead of partials as well, filling in multiple missing teeth and keeping you from having a removable appliance. They are not the right choice for everyone, but when they can be used, they are an excellent option.
Denture Replacement
If all of your upper or lower teeth are missing, dental implants can be placed to support a removable denture or fixed bridge. This can make the denture secure in your mouth, allowing you to comfortably eat crunchy and chewy foods again. Many people who have traditional dentures do not wear them because they are uncomfortable and they cannot eat with them anyways.
With dental implant-supported dentures or bridges, eating a nutrient-rich diet can be possible again, improving your overall health. The denture can be easily removed for cleaning by yourself at night, and/or at your regular dental check-ups.
Bone Grafting
In order to place a successful dental implant, there needs to be sufficient bone in the area. We can place a bone graft into the socket immediately following a tooth extraction, or even in an area that has been missing a tooth for some time. This allows proper anchoring and support for the dental implant and replacement of bone.
