Dental Implants
Top Dentist For Dental Implants in Scarborough, Ontario
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, commonly made from titanium, that is placed into the jawbone. Once the implant has integrated with the surrounding bone, an abutment is attached to connect the implant to the final restoration.
Depending on your needs, an implant may support:
- A single dental crown
- An implant-supported bridge
- An implant-supported denture
Dental implants can provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth while helping restore the appearance and function of your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
For appropriate candidates, dental implants can offer several advantages:
- Natural appearance — Replacement teeth can be designed to blend with your smile.
- Improved function — Implants provide stable support when eating and speaking.
- Comfort — Because implants are anchored in the jaw, they don’t move around like removable dentures can.
- Durability — With proper care, dental implants can provide a long-term tooth replacement solution.
- Support for surrounding teeth — An implant can replace a missing tooth without requiring neighbouring healthy teeth to be prepared as supports for a traditional bridge.
- Improved confidence — A stable and natural-looking restoration can make smiling, eating, and speaking more comfortable.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Dental implants aren’t appropriate for every patient. Your dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, jawbone, and overall oral health before recommending treatment.
Adequate bone is needed to provide support for an implant. If there has been significant bone loss, bone grafting may sometimes be considered to improve the available bone before implant placement.
Your dentist may also recommend X-rays or other diagnostic imaging to evaluate the area and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Types of Implant Restorations
Single-Tooth Implant
When one tooth is missing, a dental implant can support an individual crown.
The implant replaces the missing root while the custom-made crown replaces the visible portion of the tooth.
Implant-Supported Bridge
When several adjacent teeth are missing, implants can be used to support a fixed bridge.
Instead of replacing every missing tooth with an individual implant, a bridge can span the space and be anchored to strategically placed implants.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants can also be used to provide additional stability for dentures.
Implants act as anchors for the denture, helping reduce movement and providing a more secure fit than a traditional removable denture in appropriate cases.
The Dental Implant Process
Implant treatment usually takes place over several stages and can require multiple appointments.
01
Consultation & Planning
Your dentist evaluates your oral health, the missing tooth or teeth, and the available bone.
Diagnostic imaging may be used to help determine whether an implant is appropriate and to develop your treatment plan.
02
Implant Placement
The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gum tissue.
The area then needs time to heal while the implant integrates with the surrounding bone. This healing period can take several months depending on the individual situation.
03
Abutment Placement
Once the implant has sufficiently healed, an abutment is attached to the implant.
The abutment serves as the connection between the implant and the final replacement tooth or restoration.
In some cases, implant placement and abutment placement may be completed as part of the same surgical stage.
04
Final Restoration
The final restoration is created and fitted to the implant.
For a single missing tooth, this is typically a crown. Multiple missing teeth may be restored with an implant-supported bridge or another appropriate restoration.
Your dentist will check the fit, appearance, and function before completing the treatment.
Caring for Dental Implants
Dental implants should be cared for much like your natural teeth.
Good daily oral hygiene helps keep the implant, restoration, gums, and surrounding tissues healthy.
We recommend:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss or clean between your teeth every day
- Follow your dentist’s recommendations for cleaning around the implant
- Maintain regular dental examinations and cleanings
- Contact your dental team if you notice looseness, discomfort, swelling, or other changes
Regular dental visits allow your dentist to monitor the implant, restoration, bite, and surrounding tissues.
Things to Consider
Dental implant treatment is a multi-stage process and may require several appointments.
There are also potential risks associated with implant surgery, including infection, bleeding, pain, swelling, nerve-related complications, and—in uncommon cases—failure of the implant to integrate properly with the surrounding bone.
The cost of implants can also be higher than some other tooth-replacement options, and insurance coverage varies between individual dental plans.
Your dentist will discuss the benefits, risks, alternatives, expected timeline, and costs before treatment begins.
Is an Implant Right for You?
Dental implants can be an excellent option for replacing missing teeth, but the right treatment depends on your individual circumstances.
At Scarborough Village Dental Care, we’ll evaluate your oral health and discuss your options so you can make an informed decision about replacing your missing teeth.
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Scarborough Village Dental Care
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Cliffcrest Family Dental
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