Dental Implants
How Do Dental Implants Work?
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Dental implants are designed from titanium posts that are surgically secured into the jawbone, beneath your gum line. Our dentist uses the implant posts to mount replacement teeth onto them to restore your mouth and natural smile. Getting dental implants in Calgary can provide exceptional stability to replacement teeth and dentures, and this procedure is usually done for bridges, crowns, and permanent dentures.
Getting Dental Implants
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Once the anchors are placed into the jawbone, the bone begins to form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. After about three months, the bone will have grown around the implant to firmly hold it in place.
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Once the jaw has healed and anchored the implants, your replacement teeth are affixed to the implant. The seal between the replacements and implant is very strong and isn’t removable without the help of a dentist.
Am I A Good Candidate For This Treatment?
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If you’ve faced the loss of one or more teeth, or are at risk of losing more in the future, your dentist may recommend fixed dentures or a bridge. However, implants are a good option and they support active lifestyles since you don’t have to worry about removing them for daily cleaning, or using adhesives to hold them in place. They are also a good choice if you need more than one bridge to fill gaps in the mouth.
This treatment is for people of all ages, but to make sure you’re a good candidate, we look for:
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General good health
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Healthy gums free of gum disease
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Sufficient underlying jawbone to support implants
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Willingness and ability to follow through with necessary oral hygiene
The dentist will make sure you’re a good candidate during your consultation, and explain your treatment options for the best possible outcome.
What Are The Benefits?
Dental implants are designed after the structure of natural looking teeth. This allows your replacements to align nicely with your smile and look natural. There are many benefits of having this procedure, including:
Improved Bite While Eating
The stability of dental implants means that you can bite and chew in a more natural way, and with as much pressure as you would have with healthy, natural teeth. If you’ve worn removable dentures, you’ve probably experienced a diminished ability to bite down on foods as hard as you’d like. Sensitivity to bite pressure may also be reduced, yet this procedure can erase those issues.
Comfort And Proper Fit
Removable teeth, like some dentures, don’t always fit securely enough and require the use of adhesives to hold in place. This can lead to sore spots and open sores in the mouth. Implants allow for a tight, immovable hold for a proper bite, and adhesives aren’t required. This reduces soreness in the mouth and creates a more comfortable fit.
Ordinary bridges require teeth on either side of the gap caused by missing teeth. Normally, these existing teeth must be resized to accommodate the bridge to fit over them and anchor the bridge in place. Dental implants erase the need to resize existing teeth. Once the rods are in place, the bridge can be secured to them instead of natural teeth.
Longevity And Reliability
This treatment is designed to last a lifetime. You’re able to chew, laugh, talk and smile with the confidence of knowing your replacement teeth are firmly in place.
Caring For Your Dental Implants
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Healthy gums are essential to support your implants. Infections or inflammation of the gums around the implant can lead to pain and discomfort, and in some cases, infection of the jaw. To avoid infection and gum disease, impeccable oral care is required if you have undergone this procedure.
Regular cleanings with a hygienist and routine dental exams ensure that you’ll have a comfortable, healthy experience for years to come. In addition, maintaining oral care at home is crucial. Daily brushing and flossing are the first steps in maintaining implants and preventing gum disease and other oral issues.
Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today!
R & A Dentistry offers full-service dental exams, cleanings and a variety of dental services in Downtown Calgary. With flexible, available appointments, we can work around your busy schedule to help you stay on top of your dental health, today and into the future.
Contact us today to schedule your next visit, or let us answer any questions you have about our services. For appointments, call (403) 209-2299 today.