Everything you need
to know about dental implants

A dental implant is an artificial root placed in the jaw to hold one or several replacement teeth.

This is an ideal solution in most cases when a patient has lost one or several teeth. An implant provides support for the new tooth without having to rely on the neighbouring teeth. Dental implants look very natural, which gives you back the confidence to smile and eat without any restrictions. Dental implants also help to maintain facial structure and to prevent bone resorption that occurs when teeth are missing.

Implant surgery

A preoperative clinical and radiological exam allows your surgeon and restorative dentist to determine the best course of treatment to restore your missing teeth.

Most implant surgeries are performed under local anesthesia. For more extensive cases, your surgeon might recommend a sedation technique to enhance your comfort.

Pain and discomfort after surgery are minimal and well controlled with medication. Most patients resume normal activities within a few days after surgery.

A healing period of 3 to 6 months

In most cases, a healing period of 3 to 6 months is recommended before the final tooth replacement is placed on the implant. However, you can have a temporary tooth or temporary teeth during the entire process so you can have a normal diet.

Types of prostheses

A single crown can replace one tooth. If you are missing two or more teeth, a partial prosthesis or a fixed bridge can be used on two or more implants.

If the patient is missing all his or her teeth, then a complete dental prosthesis (denture) is placed on several implants to replace the missing teeth. The number of implants required depends on which type of prosthesis (removable or fixed) will be recommended. A removable denture is attached to a bar or a ball-in-socket attachments, whereas a fixed denture can only be removed by the dentist.

 

Candidates for implants

A clinical oral exam and a review of your medical history are necessary before considering dental implants. In some cases, bone augmentation is recommended before implant placement can take place.