What are Dental Implants?

Implants are titanium screws that are composed of 3 main parts- the implant body, the abutment and the crown (figure 1). Implants can be used to replace single teeth (figure 2), multiple teeth such as a fixed bridge (figure 3) and to increase the retention of partial dentures (figure 4) and full dentures (figure 5). The implant body is surgically placed inside the jawbone while the abutment and subsequent crowns/attachment fit above the bone and gums. Implant crowns look natural and feel like natural teeth. They don’t require grinding down the natural teeth in the case of replacing a missing tooth between two teeth.

What is the timeline for dental implants? When will I have a tooth again?

Every situation is different and it varies based on your anatomy:

In some cases, we are able to do an immediate implant, which means we can place an implant on the same day as the tooth extraction. This greatly accelerates the process.

In a more conventional setting, you may need a bone graft after tooth extraction. This requires a period of waiting for the bone graft to heal prior to placing the implant.

After the implant has integrated/fused with your bone, your dentist will start the process of fabricating the crown to be placed onto the implant.

How long do dental implants last?

The longevity of implants varies due to many factors (medical history, smoking status, hygiene, grinding, etc.). Numerous studies have shown that implants, when properly maintained, can last for many years. But there are also many factors that play into the longevity of the implant, such as those mentioned above. The doctors will discuss all of this with you during your consultation and will answer any questions you may have.

What are the alternatives to dental implants?

If you want to replace a single tooth, a tooth born bridge can be done. What this means is that the two teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are cut down before a multiple unit bridge is fabricated to fit over the top. The biggest disadvantage of this option is the cutting down of natural tooth structure on the adjacent teeth. The protective outer shell covering your teeth (called enamel) is the hardest structure in your body. This irreversible process of removing the enamel is required in order to place a bridge. Many bridges fail because of the recurrent decay underneath the crowns of the adjacent teeth. Dental implants is a way to get your teeth back without having to cut down adjacent teeth.

What are the alternatives to dental implants?

If you want to replace a single tooth, a tooth born bridge can be done. What this means is that the two teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are cut down before a multiple unit bridge is fabricated to fit over the top. The biggest disadvantage of this option is the cutting down of natural tooth structure on the adjacent teeth. The protective outer shell covering your teeth (called enamel) is the hardest structure in your body. This irreversible process of removing the enamel is required in order to place a bridge. Many bridges fail because of the recurrent decay underneath the crowns of the adjacent teeth. Dental implants is a way to get your teeth back without having to cut down adjacent teeth.

What should I expect on the day of surgery and what is the recovery process?

On the day of surgery, your preferred method of anesthesia (local anesthesia/nitrous oxide gas or intravenous sedation) will be safely administered by one of our highly trained doctors. Detailed pre-op instructions will be provided to you during the initial consultation. We will make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure, which will take 30 minutes or longer, depending on how many implants are being placed and how complex the case is.

After the surgery, we will be prescribing the appropriate medications to maximize your comfort. You should expect some mild to moderate swelling for the first week and most patients can resume normal activities well within 2 weeks of surgery. It is very important that you maintain proper hygiene during this time and follow our post-operative instructions. All of this will be reviewed with you in detail verbally and in written form on the day of surgery.