Replace missing teeth, secure loose dentures!
Are you missing out on some of life’s simple pleasures? Do you miss eating your favourite
foods? Are you afraid to laugh or cover your smile when you speak? Dental implant tooth replacement is one of the most recent significant advances in dentistry that has revolutionized how missing teeth are replaced.
Traditionally, bridges were the option of choice for missing teeth. Now, dental implants are the preferred choice to replace missing teeth and secure loose dentures while preserving the integrity of your surrounding teeth and preventing further bone loss.
Losing one or more of your teeth can cause a gap in your smile, the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet. While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: bone loss.
Without the tooth to stimulate the jaw, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy) in the same manner that muscle underneath a cast gets smaller. Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. Dental implants, like natural teeth, transmit chewing forces to the jaw, stimulating it and halting the bone loss.
What to expect
Implant treatment can be broken down into four phases: treatment planning, implant placement, abutment placement, and crown placement. Dr. Vo will take x-rays and create a model of your existing teeth to determine how the implant should be placed. Occasionally, a bone or gum tissue graft will be needed to provide an adequate site for placement.
Bone grafting material comes from several sources. Autograft bone is material that is taken from another area in your body and transplanted to the desired site. Allograft bone is material that was taken from an organ donor and processed to ensure its safety and improve the handling characteristics. Allograft bone is readily available and does not require a second surgical site.
The implant is then placed in the bone and given a period of time to heal (osseointegrate) before attachment of the abutment and crown. In some cases, you can receive a temporary crown the same day. The final crown is usually placed 6 months after implant placement.
Maintaining your dental hygiene is the most important role you will play in the long-term success of your implant. We will give you specific instructions for brushing and flossing the area and put you on a regular check-up cycle. Given proper care, dental implants can give a lifetime of satisfaction.
Complimentary Implant Consultations
Dental implants can be placed in most adults who are in good to moderate health. Certain uncontrolled medical conditions may decrease the effectiveness of implant treatment. We will explain all the benefits and risks to see if tooth replacement with implants is right for you.