Dental Implants: Types, Procedure and Benefits

Dental implants are surgical fixtures used to place artificial teeth or dental crowns into the patient’s mouth to replace missing teeth. A titanium metal post is connected to the jawbone to replace tooth roots that support the tooth.

Titanium integrates with the bone in a process known as osseointegration. A dental surgery procedure takes months to complete, but the results are worth the wait as the implants can last for decades with proper dental care.

Replacing teeth through dental implants in Rexdale, ON, restores the function of your teeth and improves the appearance of your smile. A patient may have a full dental implant where the remaining natural teeth are extracted and replaced with a full set of dental implants.

Partial dentures are suitable for patients who want few missing teeth replaced. A dental implant is also used to support a removable dental prosthesis known as an overdenture.

Types of Dental Implants

• Implants on the bone (Subperiosteal implants)

They are used in dental implants where the jawbone is inadequate to support an Endosteal implant. Subperiosteal implants are not drilled into the jawbone but are inserted under the gum above or on the jawbone. The specialist places a metal frame under the gum on the missing tooth with a post attached. Once the gum heals around the metal frame to hold the post firmly, the false teeth are secured into place.

• Implants in the bone (Endosteal implants)

These implants are suitable when the patient has a healthy jawbone for a titanium post to fuse to. First, they are surgically inserted into the jawbone to anchor the false tooth or teeth. Endosteal implants are made of titanium and resemble small screws. After the procedure, the post takes some time to fuse with the jawbone and heal. The false teeth are then fitted onto the post to close the gap.

• Zygomatic implants

These implants are not common as they require a complicated procedure. Zygomatic implants are an option when the patient does not have enough healthy jawbone for an Endosteal implant. The dental implant is placed in the cheekbone instead of the jawbone.

Dental Implants Procedure

Dental implants near you require several procedures before treatment is complete. The dentist will evaluate your gums, teeth and jawbone to determine if you have adequate healthy jawbone to support the implant.

If your jawbone is too soft or thin other procedures like a bone graft may be required before the process of dental implant surgery begins. After ensuring that your gums are clean and have no disease, an anesthetic is administered.

Your dentist will discuss sedative options with you. Depending on the scope and type of procedure, you may choose general anesthesia, local anesthesia or IV sedation. The endosteal implant or subperiosteal implant is fixed into the jawbone or gum.

The implant will take 2-6 months to osseointegrate or fuse with the bone. New bone grows around the titanium post or metal frame to keep the dental implant firmly like a tooth root.

The Rexdale dentist will add an abutment to the dental implant to connect it with the replacement tooth or teeth. The abutment is placed in the gum under anesthesia, and it takes weeks for the gum to heal.

After the gum has healed completely, an impression of your existing teeth is taken to make permanent replacement teeth. You may choose replacement teeth that are permanent or fixed. Your new natural-looking teeth are attached to the abutment. The dentist will ensure that your mouth feels comfortable as the procedure comes to an end.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Dental implants are durable and may last for decades with good oral care both at home and professionally.
• They are convenient as they are permanent. You do not remove them or use messy dental adhesives to keep them fixed in place.
• Your oral hygiene is improved as dental implants make accessing between the teeth easier.
• Dental implants improve your appearance as they look and feel like natural teeth.
• Speech is improved as you can freely speak without worrying that your false teeth may slip.
• During a dental implant procedure, the surrounding teeth are not altered but remain intact. This improves their oral health in the long term.
• Eating becomes easier and comfortable as the implants function like your natural teeth.