What are dental implants?
Think of a dental implant as a tiny metal screw that steps in for a missing tooth. In a simple procedure, your dentist places it into the bone beneath your gums, right where the tooth used to be. It acts just like a natural tooth root and is finished off with a crown, so it looks and feels like a real tooth, blending right into your smile.
Getting dental implants is a significant step, and it’s natural to have questions. If you’re considering an implant but aren’t sure what to expect, we’re here to guide you through the process. This way, you’ll have all the information you need to make the best decision for your dental health.
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Why you might need dental implants
Your natural teeth not only shape your smile but also allow you to eat and speak comfortably. Dental implants can replace missing teeth, providing the same support and function, helping to maintain the height and shape of your smile while restoring comfort in your daily activities.
A gap in your smile can cause your other teeth to shift out of alignment, increasing the risk of oral health issues. Even losing one tooth can set off a series of changes that affect your oral health, the appearance of your face, and your overall quality of life.
Even if you don’t notice any immediate effects from missing teeth, there’s one issue you can’t avoid: bone resorption. This is a natural process where your body breaks down unused bone tissue, redirecting the minerals to other areas, which can weaken the bone structure in your jaw over time.
When you have teeth in your jawbone, they push against it and stimulate the production of new bone tissue. But once those teeth are gone, that bone tissue serves no useful purpose, so it slowly dissolves away. The result? A shortened jaw and chin that cause wrinkles and give your cheeks and lips a sunken appearance.
Dental implants are the closest alternative to having your natural teeth. By replacing missing teeth with implants, you can effectively prevent or fix problems like shifting teeth and bone loss, preserving both your smile and oral health.
The Benefits of dental implants
Losing a tooth can be devastating. A missing tooth can make us feel self-conscious about our smile and may lead to a variety of health problems. Gaps can make your bite feel uncomfortable, cause difficulties eating the food you love and may lead to bone loss or shifting teeth.
- Restore your natural appearance – Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They become permanent, “perfect” teeth as they are custom made to blend in with your smile. Implants look natural because they are sized, shaped and coloured to match your unique bite and natural enamel colour.
- Feel confident in your comfort – When a dental implant is placed your jaw bone actually fuses with the titanium post as it heals. A crown or bridge can be permanently affixed to the post or the implant may be used to secure implant-supported dentures but one thing is certain: That dental implant is not moving. Laugh, smile and eat your favourite foods. Shifting teeth or sudden pain won’t even cross your mind.
- Improve bone strength – When teeth are lost, the bone that supports those teeth can begin to atrophy and weaken over time. Dental Implants stimulate new bone growth around the implant, strengthening the bone structure.
Dental implants are a long-term solution that feels natural and lasts decades with proper oral hygiene.
Dental implant restorations
A restoration is the “false tooth” that covers the implant. The implant is not visible when you smile, but the restoration that covers it is what makes it look like you have a new tooth.
- Dental Crown – This is the most common implant restoration, and it covers a single-tooth implant.
- Dental Bridge – A bridge spans the gap in places where multiple teeth in a row are missing. You can replace several teeth with just one or two implants that support a dental bridge. A full implant-supported bridge is an entire arch of upper or lower teeth that are fixed to four or more implants.
- Implant Denture – Give a removable denture more stability by clipping it onto two small implants.
A new life with dental implants awaits!
Your smile won’t be the same after you get a dental implant; it’s going to be much better.
Dental implants are easy to maintain and care for. Gently brush and floss your implant daily and protect it from injury while playing sports. Visit us periodically for checkups so that we can make sure your implant is staying healthy.
In return, your dental implant could reward you with many years of strong, happy, and beautiful smiles!
Start today by booking a consultation
How it feels
Although having a metal implant inserted into the bone of your mouth sounds painful, the procedure is far more comfortable than you might expect.
We will numb your mouth with a mild anesthetic so that you don’t feel any pain during the surgery. Advanced dental technology allows us to place implants quickly, accurately, and conservatively. This means less discomfort and downtime for you during recovery.
Some implant patients report feeling bored and even sleepy during the brief half hour it takes to place their implant. The most uncomfortable part for you may be having to hold your mouth open for a few minutes at a time, but that’s all.
It is normal to experience some swelling, discomfort, and even bruising in the next several hours after the procedure. The pain is mild and very easy to manage, however. We will give you specific instructions so that you can start minimizing the discomfort before the anesthetic wears off. Your surgical implant site should start feeling better within a week.
It might help you to know that dental implants have a success rate of nearly 95%. Getting an implant is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.
What to expect on your dental implant treatment journey
The actual implant placement process is much more comfortable than you might imagine.
Assessment
First, you’ll have a dental implant consultation to find out if implants are right for you. Your dentist will take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan of your jaw to evaluate the bone tissue and plan your treatment. The dental team will take a scan or impression of your teeth to help them plan the angulation of your implant.
Inserting the implant
We administer an anesthetic so that the surgical site will be completely numb. The dentist creates a small hole in the gums and bone of your mouth. The dentist places the implant post in the hole. Sometimes (but not always) sutures are needed to close up the gums.
Finalizing the restoration
You go home to let your implant heal over the course of the next few months. You come back to the practice where we will have your dental restoration ready to go. We will place the restoration and you will leave with a brand-new and fully functional tooth.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
No one will ever know! Dental implants are hidden beneath your gums and topped with lifelike restorations that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, so your smile looks completely natural.
Dentures and implants serve different purposes. Dentures rest on top of your gums, while implants are anchored below, providing extra strength to your bite. Each has its own benefits, so we recommend visiting us to discuss which option suits your needs best.
Yes, for those who aren’t good candidates for implants, dental bridges or full/partial dentures may be suitable alternatives. The best way to find out what’s right for you is to book an appointment with us, and we’ll explore your options together.
To qualify for implants, you must be an adult with good oral health and a strong jawline. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, give us a call. There are often treatments to improve your oral health, allowing you to get implants later, or other alternatives to replace missing teeth.
Absolutely! Your dental implant will be custom-made to match the shape and colour of your natural teeth, so it blends perfectly with your smile. Most patients can’t even tell the difference between their implants and their real teeth.
Thanks to modern advancements, dental implant surgery is now highly predictable and virtually pain-free. With proper aftercare, you can expect minimal discomfort, swelling, and bleeding. If you’re feeling anxious about the procedure, let us know so we can make sure you’re comfortable.
Most people can return to work the day after their implant surgery. We’ll give you a detailed time estimate based on your specific treatment and ensure you’re well-prepared with post-operative care instructions.
