Your Bowmanville Invisalign Provider
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that functions like a natural tooth root. Implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or several missing teeth.
The implant is surgically placed into the jaw bone, where it gradually integrates with the natural bone and serves as an anchor for a tooth replacement.
Dental implants can help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, improve bite issues or jaw joint discomfort, and support facial tissues and appearance.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
If a tooth is missing, the teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift out of place and cause misalignment issues.
The bone around the area may also begin to deteriorate, resulting in loss of support for the adjacent teeth and could lead to further tooth loss.
The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process requires a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
Your dentist will begin by surgically placing the implant into your jaw bone below the gum tissue. As the tissue heals, the implant integrates with the bone.
Once the healing is complete, generally three to six months post-surgery, patients return to our office to complete the process.
At this stage, your dentist will have a custom tooth replacement fabricated, such as a dental crown, bridge or denture, to create the look and function of a natural tooth. This will be attached to the dental implant to produce the final result.
Dental Implant FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Bowmanville Dental.
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Do I have to see an implant specialist?
Our team is trained in all aspects of bone grafting, dental implant placement, and restoration. This means all your treatment will be performed in one office at Bowmanville Dental.
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How long will my dental implant treatment take?
The appointments are short. A single implant can be placed in under 60 minutes, an abutment in under 30 minutes, and a crown in under 60 minutes. Multiple implants require longer appointment times.
In some cases, we can perform a teeth-in-a-day treatment. More commonly, we place the implant itself and allow it to heal and fuse to the jaw bone for 2-6 months before "loading" it with an abutment and crown.
If you require bone grafting treatment prior to implant placement, the bone graft healing time can range from 3-6 months, making your total bone graft and implant treatment timeline span from 6-12 months.
Your medical history, health, dental health and condition of your jaw bone will determine the best treatment plan for you. Schedule your personal consultation today.
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How many appointments will I need?
A dental implant is made of three parts - the implant (screw), an abutment (attaches the screw to the new tooth), and a crown, bridge or denture to replace your missing tooth/teeth.
Sometimes, all three pieces are placed in a single appointment, but more often, the implant parts are placed separately, with healing time allowed between each appointment.
We also perform post-treatment checkups after each part is placed.
Total appointments can range from 3 - 10. Every case is different. Schedule your appointment and we'll discuss the best treatment plan for you.
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Do you offer sedation for dental implants?
The jaw bone has few nerve receptors, and most people find local freezing to be enough. Of course, we offer laughing gas, oral sedation and sleep dentistry if you prefer.
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Are there any restrictions during my treatment?
For the most part, it's life as usual. For teeth-in-a-day cases, we may recommend some modifications to diet or jarring exercise for a few weeks to allow the implant to fuse before "stressed".
For traditional cases, when an implant screw is placed, it sits in the jaw and doesn't disturb your regular chewing or speaking habits. Once healed and the crown is placed, it functions just like a natural tooth.
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Does getting a dental implant hurt?
During dental implant surgery, your dentist will administer anesthesia to make you comfortable so you won't feel pain during the procedure.
Following the procedure, there is usually not much discomfort. Most patients can manage any pain with an over-the-counter pain medication for a few days after the procedure.
You will also need to eat a soft diet for the first couple of weeks after the implant procedure to avoid pain or irritation.
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How do I care for my dental implants?
You should care for a dental implant just like you care for your natural teeth.
Regular dental hygiene visits and maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home can help prevent diseases from developing in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can negatively affect your dental implants.
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Will my insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage for dental implants varies depending on your insurance plan. Some plans may cover the full cost, others only a portion, and some may not provide any coverage at all. To find out what your plan covers, it’s best to contact your insurance provider directly.