What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
Why dental implants?
There are a number of reasons why you should consider a dental implant:
Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is. There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Are dental implants successful?
With more than three decades of clinical experience and over a million patients treated, statistics confirm a success rate of nearly 95 percent for individual Nobel Biocare dental implants*, and even higher for the bridges they support.
* Results based on dental implants and dental bridges remaining and in function over a five-year period.
Who places the dental implants?
Dr. Cameron MacLean is a general dentist who has received implant surgery training in London and Toronto, Ontario. He is continually learning and researching by attending specific implant courses on a regular basis. Since our office is fully equipped to place dental implants, no extra surgical suite fees are required.
How much do dental implants cost?
The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of them. A meeting with Dr. MacLean would sort out your queries and give you the information you would need to make your own informed decisions. He will help you make that choice.
Who is a Candidate?
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. In our office we have a state of the art digital 3D scanner that allows us to view the bone and all of the anatomy. This allows us to adequately plan your procedure and provide you with everything you need here in our office - no wild goose chases means quick and effective treatment planning.
Is old age a problem?
Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re most likely healthy enough to receive dental implants. Dr. MacLean will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.
What are the advantages of dental implants over dentures or a dental bridge?
Improved appearance: When you lose the entire tooth - crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge does not.
Preserve natural teeth: With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
Permanent solution: There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a concrete way: People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often surprised at how the new permanent teeth increases their confidence and their self-esteem at the same time.
Will my new teeth look natural?
When dental implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Will I be able to chew with the same force and pressure I use with my natural teeth?
Absolutely. Following the healing process you can chew fully on an implant tooth. Clients have even told us they found the implant teeth better to chew on.
How much time is required for a dental implant placement?
Depending on the procedure, a single implant can take as little as 1 hour to complete. The healing phase can take from three to six months. Thanks to new developments, there are now new implants that sit tighter in the bone, that allows a temporary tooth to be placed on it the day of surgery. Instead of having a plastic retainer with a tooth, or even just an empty space you can have a temporary crown right away and the esthetics and function are immediately improved.
The procedure or even the implant type chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are to be replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
Is the treatment painful?
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort then placing several. We use local anesthesia (freezing) and patient sedation to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most clients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Usually a simple Advil will do the trick. Dr. MacLean will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur.
How will I feel after the treatment?
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller. You should expect to be able to work the next day.
How will I care for my dental implants?
Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. See your dentist every six months, or more frequently, if so advised.
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