Dental Implants Near You
Providing Dental Implants For Patients Throughout Calgary, AB
If you are missing one or more teeth, Inglewood Family Dental can help! There are some reasons why patients have missing teeth. Advanced gum disease, tooth decay, trauma or injury, and failed root canal procedures are common reasons you might have missing teeth. If you are dealing with missing, broken, or decaying teeth, dental implants are worth serious consideration. Dental implants provide a superior alternative to traditional bridges or dentures and can restore your smile with a long-term solution that benefits your other teeth and jawline. Modern dental implants provide a long-term tooth replacement solution.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a surgical option to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, implants become a long-term solution that won’t move or shift in your mouth. A dental implant is made up of three parts: a titanium screw, an abutment, and the ceramic crown that forms the tooth.
The titanium screw is surgically implanted into the jaw bone, where it will fuse with the bone, creating a firm anchor for the crown. Once the screw fuses and heals, the abutment, or connector, is attached to the screw and, as the last step, the dentist will fasten the crown to the abutment.
When Are Dental Implants Used or Not Advised?
Dental implants are used in adults of all ages that are looking for a long-term solution to replace missing or broken teeth. While they can also be used by adolescents, facial growth and development must be complete before implant surgery is considered. Dental implants work perfectly to replace a single missing tooth, or, can support a full set of upper or lower teeth with as little as just four titanium posts.
You may not be eligible for dental implants if you are too young and your jaw has not completed growth, lack adequate bone structure, have periodontal disease, or have other medical conditions that affect bone healing. When considering dental implants, you must consider things like smoking, diabetes, and osteoporosis. All of these conditions can affect the healing and implantation of dental implants.
What to Expect with a Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implants begin with an initial consultation that will include a thorough examination and x-rays or 3D imaging to determine the stability and health of your jawbone. The next step is surgery. Your dentist will discuss possible anesthesia options which can include local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia.
After you are under, the surgery will begin with the removal of the damaged or broken tooth, if necessary. The dentist then makes a cut in the gum to expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone and the titanium post is placed into the jawbone.
Once the implant is in place, osseointegration begins and you will begin a healing process that can take up to several months. During this time, the jawbone will fuse to the post. Some dentists may choose to attach the abutment at the time of surgery or will wait until the healing process is complete.
Once complete, our dentist will make molds of your teeth and create and attach the crown.
After the Procedure and Potential Risks
Some of the typical things you can expect after the procedure include swelling of the face and gums, bruising of the skin and gums, pain, and minor bleeding. Our Calgary dentist may prescribe antibiotics to combat any risk of infection and pain medications to combat the pain.
Potential risks associated with the implant surgery include infection, damage to other teeth or blood vessels, nerve damage, and possible sinus problems if the implants protrude into the upper jaw. Most of these risks are typically minor and easily treated.
Can Dental Implants Help Reduce Bone Loss?
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects bone health, causing bones to become weak. The medications used to treat the condition can cause weak bones, such as in the jaw, to die. When this occurs, tooth loss is often imminent. Researchers looked at how implants could affect bone degeneration.
One study looked at 24 women with osteoporosis. After one year, the women in the study all showed increased bone density in the jawbone, showing the titanium posts stimulated bone growth.
What if I Have Already Have Bone Loss?
If you already suffer from extensive bone loss, dental implants are still possible. Several different techniques are used to rebuild the bone and help to restore the jawline. The main three techniques used include bone augmentation, sinus lift, and ridge expansion.
With bone augmentation, the jaw is restored using bone additives, grafts, and growth factors. A sinus lift adds bone below the sinus when bone loss occurs due to missing upper back teeth. A ridge expansion widens the jaw using a bone graft.
Benefits of Implants Over Other Options
While dentures and bridges are still viable options for tooth replacement, dental implants offer a much more long-term solution. With dental implants, you will not feel slippage like with dentures and your voice will not be affected.
Dentures and bridges typically need replacing as often as every few years. Dental implants, when properly cared for, can last for decades.
If you are interested in finding out more about dental implants, give our office a call to set up an initial consultation today.
A Natural Solution for Missing Teeth
At Inglewood Family Dental, we believe that dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. Call us at (403) 265-5888 to request your consultation at Inglewood Family Dental today!
Dental Implant FAQ’s
How Much Do Implants Cost?
The cost of dental implants can vary depending on the size and position of the tooth needing replacement. Please remember we follow the Alberta Fee Guide so there should not be any out-of-pocket expense for necessary dental treatment. If you are in need of a dental implant but are concerned about the cost, we can work out a payment plan that works for your budget. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (403) 265-5888.
Are Implants Painful?
If you are to experience any pain while receiving a dental implant it should be minimal. A lot of patients are back at work and resuming their normal daily activities after receiving a dental implant. If you are a patient who is having bone graft surgery or a sinus lift in preparation for the implant there is a likely chance you will be requiring sedation.
What Are The Risks of Dental Implants?
As with any type of surgery, there are risks and complications that can arise. These include bleeding, possible infection, and nerve, nasal, or sinus cavity injuries. We have performed countless dental implants at our office and work with the latest dental technology to minimize any potential complications arising from the dental implant procedure.