Dental Implants North York, ON
At Parkwoods Dental, your North York dentist places innovative dental implants for one or multiple teeth lost to decay, gum disease or oral injury. Dental implants are preferred over traditional tooth replacement options, such as fixed bridgework anchored to neighboring teeth or partial dentures held in place by clasps. Implants join to the patient's jaw bone for a secure, long-lasting foundation.
What Is A Dental Implant?
An implant is a dental prosthetic. Just like a real tooth, it has a root and crown and helps retain the natural size and density of the patient's gum tissue and jaw bone. The "root" resembles a screw and is made from titanium, a naturally-occurring metal that encourages bonding with human bone. The bonding process is called osseointegration, and this process makes dental implants second to none in terms of longevity and function.
The dental implant holds an extension piece called an abutment and also a beautiful porcelain crown. Versatile and lifelike, dental implants can support partial or full dentures that are either removable or permanently placed.
Single or Multiple Implants
Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.
Advantages Over Dentures or Bridges
Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don't directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don't compromise the health of your natural teeth.
The Academy of Osseointegration, made up of experts on how human bone melds with titanium implants, says that more than 90 percent of dental implant surgeries are successful. Furthermore, more than 90 percent of dental implants stay in place for decades. Contrast this with traditional dentures or bridgework which have typical lifespans of about 7-10 years.
Dental Implant Procedure
After determining that a patient has good oral and overall health and also sufficient bone to accept an implant, your North York, ON dentist performs a simple in-office surgery to secure the device. Usually using just local anesthesia to numb the area, the doctor incises the gums and drills a small hole into the jaw bone at the implant site.
He screws the device in place, making it flush with the bone. He sutures the area closed and sends the patient home for a period of healing. Usually, dental implant surgery has a second stage--placement of the abutment and crown. However, sometimes the dentist places the abutment right along with the implant device. The dentist will determine the kind of surgery necessary based on patient need.
Additionally, some patients require bone grafting treatment before implant placement. Use of donor bone or bone paste ensures the strength and size of the area before dental implant surgery.
Post-Treatment Care
Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.
Facing Tooth Loss In North York, ON?
Or are you already missing one or more teeth? It's not too late to have a consultation with your North York, ON dentist to discuss implant dentistry. Older teens through adults in their senior years enjoy the benefits of strong, natural-looking teeth with dental implants.
