This article provides an overview of who is a good candidate for dental implants, how the implant procedure works, and what’s required for properly caring for implants after placement. With high success rates and longevity, dental implants have become a preferred option for permanently replacing missing teeth and correcting smiles affected by decay or acute impacts.
Tooth Replacement in One Day
Dental implants are small titanium screw-like posts that replace missing tooth roots. The implant is surgically implanted into the jawbone, where it serves as an artificial root for the replacement tooth. A healing period of 3 to 6 months allows the implant to properly fuse with the surrounding bone through osseointegration, creating a strong and durable foundation. Once fully integrated, the implant can support custom-made replacement teeth to seamlessly fill any gaps.
The top portion of the implant consists of an abutment, connecting to life-like porcelain crowns, bridges or dentures. In this way, implants provide the most natural-looking and functional replacement option for individuals who are missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures that can slip and require adhesive, implants are fixed, allowing patients to speak and eat normally without worry of shifting teeth.
With over 95% success rate when properly placed, implants can last decades with diligent home care and dental maintenance. Patients can go back to regular routines and can comfortably smile, talk and bite down again after getting implants.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
When considering dental implants, patients must meet certain oral health and dental criteria to qualify for treatment. Ideal candidates include those missing one or more natural teeth due to injury, disease or severe decay. Implants can replace anything from a single tooth to a completely edentulous arch (missing teeth entirely).
Patients should have adequate jawbone density and volume to properly support implants. Bone grafting may be required if the structure in your jaw is not sufficiently supportive for your dental implant. You should also have healthy gum tissues, not affected by advanced periodontal disease. Patients must be committed to diligent daily oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings every 6 months, and are ideally non-smokers or willing to quit due to the healing risks. Conditions like diabetes that could interfere with the healing process.
During initial exams, x-rays and CT scans allow your Oshawa dentists to analyze jawbone volume to determine if adequate bone exists for implants. The health of surrounding tissues is also assessed before clearing patients for treatment; if bone loss is present, preliminary ridge augmentation procedures may be required to support your new dental implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The implant process involves several steps over 4 to 6 months:
Initial Consultation and Planning: Diagnostic tests like x-rays, CT scans and impressions are taken for proper planning. A customized treatment plan is then created based on your oral health condition and any potential stipulations that must be addressed.
Anaesthesia and Incision: The implant site is numbed before an incision exposes the underlying bone.
Placing the Implant: Using surgical guides, the dentist precisely drills implant sockets into the bone. The titanium implant is inserted, and the gums are sutured closed.
Healing Period: Patients wait 3 to 6 months for the implant to fully integrate with the bone through osseointegration, fusing it securely onto the jaw.
Uncovering the Implant: A minor procedure exposes the implant and attaches a healing abutment or impression coping to prepare for the prosthetic tooth.
Attachment of Prosthetic Teeth: Custom crowns, bridges or dentures are made to match the hue and shape of your natural teeth, then attached to the implants.
Follow-Up Appointments: Dentists monitor integration, healing and function at follow-up visits.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Proper at-home oral hygiene and dental maintenance are necessary for implant longevity:
Patients must consistently and diligently brush and floss around their new dental implants and use prescription antimicrobial rinses daily. Professional cleanings every 6 months are a must. Chewing overly hard, crunchy or sticky foods should be avoided to limit any potential physical force exerted on your implants.
Wearing a custom sports guard protects your new implants during contact sports, and ensures that you contact your Oshawa dental office promptly if you notice any implant pain, swelling or damage. Smoking severely limits implant success and lifespan, so patients must also commit to quitting.
With diligent daily care and regular dental visits, implants can potentially last decades, providing permanent replacement teeth.
Conclusion
For those with missing teeth, dental implants offer an effective way to permanently restore smiles in a natural-looking, functional way. With constant advances in technology and techniques, more patients choose implants over conventional bridges and dentures for their permanence, longevity, and realistic teeth.
Here at our Oshawa dental office, our experienced implant dentists use advanced 3D imaging and precision placement to carefully plan and place your dental implants for a quality tooth replacement option to restore your smile.
Oshawa Dental Office: Get in Touch
We are dedicated to complete patient comfort and satisfaction throughout treatment. To determine if implants are the ideal tooth replacement solution for you, schedule a consultation today.
Call (289) 275-4050 or email [email protected]!