Advanced Dental Implant Procedures

More than 40% of people over the age of 65 are missing all of their teeth in one or both of their jaws. Much of this tooth loss is due to gum disease. Studies show that almost 100% of the estimated 32 million people who have dentures in North America go through pain, embarrassment, and difficulty using their false teeth. Now, patients that have lost more than one tooth in a row can have a better choice with the solutions available today.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are made up of metal cylinders, usually titanium, that are the size and form of the roots of a natural tooth. Titanium has been known to be accepted in the body. When used for dental implants, the jawbone accepts the new roots and integrates them into the existing bone tissue. This makes the implant a strong anchor point. On top of the implant, a custom-made replacement tooth will be placed, or teeth, depending on the extent of your tooth loss. One implant is able to support one crown or small bridge, and two or more can hold a longer bridge, partial or full denture. The end result is that the patient is left with teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.

The History of Dental Implants

Although implants of artificial or replacement roots have been attempted for hundreds of years, only recently have we been able to make them permanently successful due to modern dental implant techniques and technologies from Sweden in the ‘60s.

The Dental Implant Process

First, you will need to get CAT scans and x-rays of your jawbone to properly assess your tooth replacement needs. After that, accurate models of your mouth and photographs are needed to plan out the complex treatment. Once you have been confirmed as a good candidate for dental implants, you will be prepped for your dental implant surgery.

The dental implant or implants will be first placed into the jawbone using a procedure that is similar to that of tooth extraction but in reverse. The procedure will typically take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the number of implants being inserted and where they are located in the mouth. Most people choose to be put to sleep for their surgery.

Then, after they have been implanted, a healing cap is placed on top of the implant to help encourage the gum line to heal and form a natural contour around the implant. Then the implant is allowed to remain undisturbed for six months. This time is required to allow the implant to be integrated into the bone so that it becomes a part of your body. Once your bone has healed for three to six weeks, you will return for the final step of treatment and have your custom restoration tooth attached to the implant.

If you are looking for more information regarding dental implants, please reach out to Water Street Dentistry in St. Mary’s, Ontario, today!