The chances are that many adults will lose at least one tooth at some point, and some will lose all their natural teeth. If you are facing tooth loss in Ajax, Durham Dental Solutions is here to help you and can advise you on possible solutions to replace them.
Options include dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants. Dentures and dental bridges are popular and can be good choices in some cases. However, we will likely recommend that you carefully consider dental implants in Whitby.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants generally have three separate components, which are:
- A small post or screw made from titanium or zirconia and which is inserted into your jawbone. It acts like an artificial tooth root, supporting an artificial tooth restoration.
- An abutment is a connector attached to the implant post so it protrudes just above your gums. The abutment helps secure your dental implant restoration in position.
- Your implant restoration may be a crown, or two or more dental implants can support an implant bridge in Pickering. Both these restorations are nonremovable. An implant denture is removable, and you snap it onto the implants to hold it securely. However, it can be taken out for cleaning.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Advantages can include:
- Implant teeth are designed to look and function like natural teeth.
- The dental implant posts or screws bond firmly with your jawbone, providing a solid anchorage point for replacement teeth.
- Because the posts are fused into your bone, they help provide greater biting and chewing strength.
- Your implant teeth will feel secure and robust, helping you feel more confident when eating or socializing with others.
- Most people can have dental implants, but you must consult with our dental implant dentist in Oshawa to determine whether you are suitable for this treatment.
You will learn more about the implant process during your initial consultation, but the basic procedure is outlined below.
Understanding the Basics of Dental Implant Treatment
- An initial assessment is needed to determine if your jawbone is strong and healthy enough to support the implants. Otherwise, you may need a bone grafting procedure in Newcastle.
- A cone beam CT scan is taken to plan your surgery step-by-step. It is used to create a computer-generated surgical stent that helps ensure your implant placement is accurate.
- Any failing teeth will be removed during treatment to prepare your jaw for dental implants.
- The bone grafting material may be inserted into the empty sockets to help support your implants. Sometimes, it’s possible to insert the implants when removing failing teeth.
- The implants are placed using a computer-generated surgical stent. They are inserted into a small hole that our implant dentist will make in your jawbone and tightened into place.
- At this stage, we may leave the dental implants to heal, or we might be able to attach temporary teeth soon afterward. Otherwise, we can provide temporary restorations to use until your implants heal.
- It takes several months for implants to become fused in the jawbone. Once healing is complete, we take impressions of your dental implants to create your final restorations.
- The final step is to fit your new implant crown, bridge or denture and ensure you know how to care for your new implant teeth.
How to Learn If Implant Teeth Are Right for You
If you have failing or missing teeth in Clarington, contact Durham Dental Solutions to arrange your initial consultation. We can gently examine your mouth, review your medical history and discuss suitable options to replace your teeth, including the potential costs.