What are dental implants?
An implant is a small metal screw that replaces an entire tooth. In a brief surgical procedure, the dentist inserts an implant into the bone beneath your gums right in the spot where a tooth should be. The implant acts like a natural tooth root and is finished off with a restoration such as a dental crown to help it look and feel just like a real tooth.
Getting dental implants is a big deal. You think you might like an implant, but you aren’t sure what to expect. We explain everything here so that you can make an informed decision about your dental treatment.
What Our Patients are Saying
Deirdre Carroll
Always accommodating, professional and friendly staff! Dr. Chin is thorough and creates a relaxing environment for dental care-highly recommended.
Wendy Wong
A friend recommended Bloor West Dental Group to me many years ago and my family has been coming ever since. The people are great! Everyone is so helpful and pleasant and the dental care is exceptional. They know what they’re doing!
Christina Cavanagh
Absolutely excellent!! In the over 20 years I have been a client of this dental practice, I've never experienced more dedication to the craft and such a caring group of individuals, who work as a team to provide meaningful assistance during both regular check-ups and emergencies. Thanks to Carolyn, Jean, Jackie, Jaclyn, Sylvanna, and all others, I never fear a trip to the dentist and always know they are there for me!
The benefits of dental implants
The loss of a tooth can be emotionally challenging. It can erode our self-confidence regarding our smile and potentially result in various health issues. Gaps can cause discomfort in your bite, make it challenging to enjoy your favorite foods, contribute to bone loss, or allow adjacent teeth to shift. Dental implants offer a durable, natural-feeling, and long-lasting solution when properly maintained and cared for, alleviating these concerns.
Restore your natural appearance
Feel confident in your comfort
Improve bone strength
The loss of permanent teeth can trigger a gradual weakening and deterioration of the supporting bone, a process referred to as ‘resorption.’ Dental implants, on the other hand, promote the growth of new bone, thereby reinforcing and strengthening the overall bone structure.
What to expect on your dental implant treatment journey
The actual implant placement process is much more comfortable than you might imagine.
Assessment
First, you’ll have a dental implant consultation to find out if implants are right for you. Your dentist will take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan of your jaw to evaluate the bone tissue and plan your treatment. The dental team will take a scan or impression of your teeth to help them plan the angulation of your implant.
Inserting the implant
We administer an anesthetic so that the surgical site will be completely numb. The dentist creates a small hole in the gums and bone of your mouth. The dentist places the implant post in the hole. Sometimes (but not always) sutures are needed to close up the gums.
Finalizing the restoration
You go home to let your implant heal over the course of the next few months. You come back to the practice where we will have your dental restoration ready to go. We will place the restoration and you will leave with a brand-new and fully functional tooth.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
For patients who are not good candidates for dental implants, dental
bridges and full or partial dentures are possible options for replacing missing teeth. The best way to find out what solutions exist for your specific needs is to call and book a consultation. We would be happy to discuss all your options and answer any specific questions you may have.
To be a candidate for a dental implant, you must be an adult and have stable general oral health. Your jawbone and other supporting tissues, like your gums, must be strong and healthy to increase the success
rate of your new implant. Not sure if you are a candidate for dental implants? Schedule your consultation today to review all the options available to you! There are often minimally invasive treatments available that can restore your oral health and make your dental implant as
permanent and predictable as possible.
Yes! Your dental implant may be restored with a crown, a bridge or
an implant-supported denture that will always be custom made to make you
feel comfortable. That means your custom-made teeth are shaped and
coloured to match your existing teeth and bite. Patients often have difficulty distinguishing their natural teeth from their beautiful new dental implants.
The science of dental implants has evolved so rapidly from its early days that it is now a very predictable and relatively pain-free procedure. The dental implant procedure is completed with such care and precision you’ll experience as little discomfort as possible. With proper aftercare, you can expect minimal swelling and almost no bleeding. Your physical and emotional well-being are both important to us. If you feel anxious about visiting us for any reason, please let us know.
Every patient recovers differently, but in most cases, you can return to work the day after your implant surgery. Once we know exactly what your treatment will entail, we can give you a far more accurate idea of what kind of recovery to expect after your procedure.
On the day of your surgery, we always provide both written and verbal post-operative care instructions to you.
The success of your implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain
them. They need to be professionally cleaned and examined routinely, just
like your natural teeth. We usually recommend a check-up approximately
every 6 months but may recommend check-ups more or less often depending
on your specific requirements.
Care for your dental implants like a natural tooth with regular brushing and flossing, cleanings and checkups, as well as specific visits to your dentist if you are experiencing any concerns.
