Tooth loss is a significant source of anxiety for millions of people. Whether you’ve suffered facial injuries, suffered from severe cavities or gone through a past case of periodontal disease, you might think that dentures or bridges are the only options. Indeed, you may be dreading the day that you wake up to your dentures staring back at you in their glass of Polident.
Dentures and dental bridges have their place, but they usually require the removal or scaling down of affected teeth or all teeth before application and can cause symptoms such as:
But, what if dentures and bridges weren’t your only option? Did you know that in recent years, the emergence of dental implants has been the preferred method of treatment for those who suffer from tooth loss? Today we’ll discuss what dental implants are as well as their many benefits.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants often resemble a small screw and are essentially an artificial replacement for existing tooth roots. They serve as a foundation for either permanent or temporary artificial tooth implants.
Most patients will elect to have the artificial teeth permanently affixed to the dental implant, and this procedure boasts an impressive 90 to 98 percent success rate.
What are the benefits?
Patients who opt for dental implants as opposed to their traditional counterparts enjoy a marked improvement in basic functions such as eating, drinking and keeping the implants clean.
These activities can be hard to adjust to when fitted with dentures and bridges. Often, this adjustment period can lead to frustration and self-consciousness as well as self-esteem issues.
Dental implants help to restore independence, emotional health, and oral health by providing:
How many appointments do I need?
We’ve described the implant itself as a small screw, but it comes equipped with two other parts: the abutment and the crown (the false tooth itself). The abutment connects the crown to the implant. It might sound simple, but this is typically not done in one appointment.
After each component of your implant is installed, there needs to be time allotted for healing and post-operative check-ups. Most dental professionals recommend anywhere from 3 to 10 appointments, from start to finish. This timeline also depends on your age, overall dental health and other factors.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is broad. If you enjoy good health, have healthy gums and plenty of sturdy jaw bone — you’re likely a great candidate for implants. If your jaw bone has receded, bone grafts may be an option for you.
Bear in mind that if you have an active case of periodontal disease, this will likely disqualify you from receiving dental implants — as your gums need to be free of bacteria for the implants to be a success. Risk factors with performing implants on those with active periodontitis include infection and/or implant loss.
Call your Toronto oral experts at Dentistry at Consilium!
If you’re curious about whether dental implants are right for you, don’t wait! Call our team at Dentistry at Consilium today to schedule your personalized dental implant consultation.
We have over ten years of experience in both performing and restoring dental implants and offer all dental implant services in-house. You can rest assured that you’ll be in excellent hands.
Call us at (416) 296-1080 or fill out our easy and convenient contact form today!
300 Consilium Place #103
Scarborough, ON M1H 3G2