Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

Apr 01, 2021

Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew, speech, and smile aesthetics. However, there are other effects of missing teeth you might not notice. When you have a missing tooth, you might be at risk of bone loss. Sometimes, the adjacent teeth shift towards the left gap.

To prevent such dental problems, improve your oral functions and smile aesthetics, you can consider tooth replacement. One of the dental procedures to replace missing teeth is dental implants.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A tooth implant is a titanium pole installed on your jaw to replace the tooth’s root. Unlike other teeth replacement options, dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth. Titanium is a biocompatible metal that integrates with your jawbone to provide stability. Therefore, the dentist might recommend dental implants near you if you are looking for a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Some of the reasons why your dentist in Caledon, ON would recommend dental implants include:

  • Replacing missing teeth
  • Holding dentures in place
  • Supporting a dental bridge where the patient doesn’t have adjacent natural teeth

Your dentist can use dental implants to replace one or multiple missing teeth. However, before choosing dental implants, your dentist might consider the factors below:

  • Location of the missing teeth
  • Health status of your jawbone
  • Patient’s preferences
  • Health status of the patient

Types of Dental Implants

When you decide to get dental implants, your dentist can consider the following:

Conventional Dental Implants

Traditional dental implants are titanium poles that replace your teeth if you don’t have any limitations. Such treatments can be suitable for people who can undergo invasive surgery and enough bone for dental implants. Full-sized dental implants are endosteal, which means they sit inside the jawbone and are more stable.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini tooth implants are similar to traditional ones. However, the mini-implants have a smaller diameter and a ball-shaped ending. Your dentist might recommend such dental implants if you:

  • Don’t have enough jawbone to get regular dental implants
  • Not enough time to go for repeat dental visits
  • Inability to undergo an invasive surgery

In some cases, such dental implants are subperiosteal. Subperiosteal means that the dental implant sits over the jawbone. Sometimes dentists use mini-implants in orthodontics as temporary anchorage devices.

Dental Implants Procedure

The procedure for getting dental implants in Caledon, ON, depends on the type and number. If you are getting full mouth dental implants, it might take longer.

However, during a dental implant procedure, the dentist will begin by examining your teeth. During the dental exam, your dentist will check if you are eligible for dental implants and your health status. It is advisable to notify your dentist if you are taking any medications and your medical history.

If you are at risk of complications during dental implant surgery, the dentist can adjust your treatment plan. When you don’t have enough jawbone for a tooth implant, the dentist might recommend a bone graft.

After examination, your dentist will proceed to prepare your jaw for a tooth implant. Your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the site of treatment. Next, the dentist will make an incision through your gums and jawbone and place the titanium pole.

The dentist will then leave the titanium dental implant before scheduling another appointment to place the tooth cap. When you have a dental implant, you might need up to three months for the titanium screw to integrate with the jawbone. Once the treatment site has healed, the dentist will schedule an appointment to place the tooth caps or dental prosthesis.

Recovery and Aftercare

After getting a dental implant, you might need time to heal before getting your tooth caps. Therefore, you can consider the following for fast recovery.

  • Eat soft foods that don’t require chewing
  • Avoid smoking since it hinders recovery
  • When brushing your teeth, avoid the area to prevent irritation
  • Use antiseptic mouth rinses to prevent bacterial infections at the site of treatment
  • Don’t use objects to prick the site of a treatment since it might hinder fast recovery

When you get dental implants at Kennedy North Dentistry, we recommend good oral hygiene since the site of treatments might be at risk of infections. You can also move from eating soft foods to others as you heal.

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