Dental Implants – Mississauga, ON
A Long-Lasting Form of Tooth Replacement
Replacing missing teeth is important, not just for your appearance, but also for your overall well-being. Among the various forms of tooth replacement available, dental implants have become a popular option thanks to their long lifespan and ability to restore smiles in a way that looks and feels natural. If you have heard about the many benefits of dental implants in Meadowvale and are thinking of taking advantage of them yourself, call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel.
Why Choose Meadowvale Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- In-House Implant Placement Available
- Warm & Welcoming Dental Team
- Conveniently Open on Saturdays
What Are Dental Implants?
One of the key features that distinguishes dental implants from traditional bridges and dentures is the fact that they are inserted into the jaw. Dental implant posts are made out of titanium, a metal known for its ability to join with bone tissue. This makes dental implant posts highly stable, but that’s not the only benefit they offer; they’re also able to function as tooth roots and can prevent jawbone deterioration that occurs naturally after tooth loss.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Each dental implant from Meadowvale Family Dentistry is completely customized for maximum beauty and comfort and placed through a specialized process that will take several months. While this may seem like a large investment of time, implants can deliver a wide range of incredible benefits that make them well worth the effort. Each patient’s treatment plan will be unique, but the process always requires four steps. These are the consultation, the surgery, placement of the abutment pieces, and delivery of the final restoration.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The dental implant process always begins with a consultation at our office in Mississauga so Dr. Patel or Ip can evaluate your oral health, discuss your needs and preferences, and determine the best way to replace your lost teeth. You’ll need to have healthy jawbones and be free from oral infections to receive dental implants, and we can address tooth decay and gum disease with restorative work at our office. If your jawbones are not strong enough to support implants, we may be able to refer you to a trusted specialist for bone grafts. When your mouth is ready, we’ll be happy to schedule you for dental implant surgery.
Dental Implant Surgery
The team at Meadowvale Family Dentistry is trained and equipped to carry out the entire dental implant placement process in-house so our patients won’t have to worry about finding an outside oral surgeon who uses a different pricing structure. The surgery will always begin with our dentist administering an appropriate anesthetic to ensure the patient’s comfort, and we’ll be sure to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions so you can enjoy a smooth healing process. The procedure includes making an incision in the gum tissue, surgically inserting the dental implant into the jawbone, closing the gum tissue around the new appliance, and placing a protective cap to protect it from injury.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Osseointegration is the natural process through which titanium fuses with living bone tissue, and it allows dental implants to function exactly like natural teeth and have the potential to last for life if they receive excellent care. Osseointegration will take several months after your implant surgery, and we’ll place an abutment piece on your device through a minor surgical procedure once this process is finished. The abutment will allow a lifelike restoration to be attached to your implant.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The team at a trusted dental lab will craft your permanent restorations according to detailed measurements of your mouth. When your crown, bridge, or denture is ready, you’ll come back to our office so we can anchor it to your implant or implants and make any final adjustments. Then, you’ll be ready to show off your gorgeous and complete new smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
It’s no surprise that dental implants have become more popular when you look at all the benefits associated with them. On a day-to-day basis, dental implants can help you feel more confident about your appearance, and they’re strong enough to handle eating most kinds of foods. Taking care of them is relatively simple. As noted above, dental implants can help stop your jaw from shrinking due to bone loss.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Our team can give you an overview of the traits that can make someone a viable candidate for dental implant surgery, such as not having gum disease. If you meet the criteria (or are willing to complete any preparatory procedures that may be needed to address specific issues), then you’ll be able to take the next steps toward rebuilding your smile with dental implants. The number of teeth you’ve lost is an important factor in determining what the dental implant process will look like.
Missing One Tooth
An implant post can be inserted into the spot in your jaw where the missing tooth used to be. After a few months, you’ll be ready to receive a personalized crown, which will be secured to your implant post via the abutment. The crown will be designed to mimic the appearance of your other teeth so that it looks like a natural part of your smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
The right number of implant posts and a well-designed restoration can be used to replace any number of teeth. When there’s a gap left by at least three missing teeth, you may receive a bridge along with two dental implants to support it. The natural teeth next to the space can remain intact since the bridge will rest on your implant posts instead.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Even if an entire arch of teeth has been lost, dental implants make it possible to enjoy the benefits of a complete smile again. When getting an implant denture, you can typically expect to need anywhere from four to eight implant posts. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to choose between a fixed implant denture and a removable one.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
How many dental implant posts will you need to pay for? Will you need to account for the cost of preliminary treatments? These are just a couple of the questions that need to be answered when determining the final price of dental implants. Our team can answer any questions you might have related to the cost of your replacement teeth.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Many patients considering dental implants want to know whether they last long enough to be worth the investment. Usually, you can anticipate that they’ll be more resilient than the alternatives, like dental bridges or dentures. In many cases, these highly durable restorations stick around for 30+ years but it depends on how well they’re cared for.
To elongate their lifespan, you should brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash twice daily. Also, avoid biting or eating anything that’s overly hard or sticky to prevent potential injury. For example, you shouldn’t munch on ice, chew pen caps or fingernails, or open packages using your teeth.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Another common question is whether it hurts to have dental implants placed. Because the process includes a surgical procedure, you can anticipate that there will be a certain degree of discomfort. That said, our team will do everything we can to minimize the impact. First, we’ll numb your mouth with a topical anesthetic before the procedure begins. In many cases, we’ll also provide sedation so that your body won’t register much pain or remember it after the fact. That means you don’t need to be as concerned about the surgery itself, but you may be sore afterward.
It’s normal to experience some mild throbbing for a few days after your procedure. If you’ve been prescribed pain medication, be sure to follow the instructions in detail to manage symptoms. Otherwise, over-the-counter options like Tylenol or ibuprofen can often provide some well-deserved relief.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
For your dental implant to be successful, it’s important to give your body the time it needs to fully heal. While you can resume your daily activities the day after your procedure, you’ll want to avoid strenuous activities that elevate your heart rate or blood pressure for a week or so. Physical exertion can dislodge the blood clot that needs to form over the surgical site.
It’s normal to experience mild bleeding and moderate inflammation for the first few days, but it should gradually dissipate. If for any reason yours gets worse or doesn’t fade, please contact us for assistance.
An essential component of recovery involves allowing enough time for your implant to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Usually, this takes about 6 months although it could be longer if you don’t follow the post-op instructions provided.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Although dental implants have an incredibly high success rate of over 95%, there’s no guarantee that they won’t develop issues. Some conditions that contribute to their failure include:
- Peri-implantitis. This is a form of gum disease that happens with poor oral hygiene habits and can damage the bone and gums supporting your restoration.
- Failed osseointegration. Sometimes the implant won’t fuse properly with your jaw, which can happen if you lack the bone density to serve as an appropriate foundation.
- Bad habits. If you use tobacco products, grind your teeth, or don’t regularly brush and floss then you could lose your dental implant.
If you have additional questions that weren’t covered here, you’re welcome to contact us and we’d be happy to provide further information.