What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a metal post that serves as a substitute for a missing tooth. In a short surgical procedure, the dentist positions the implant into the jawbone under the gums where the tooth is absent. This implant mimics the role of a natural tooth root and is topped with a dental crown or other restoration, making it appear and function like a genuine tooth.
Getting dental implants is a significant decision. If you’re considering an implant but are unsure about the process, we’re here to clarify everything for you. This information will help you make an informed choice about your dental treatment.
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Why You Might Need Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great alternative to natural teeth, providing a solution that can help you maintain both the functionality and appearance of your smile.
Your teeth support your smile’s structure and help you eat and speak with ease. When a tooth is missing, it creates a gap that can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of alignment, increasing the risk of oral health issues. Even a single missing tooth can trigger a series of changes that negatively affect your oral health, facial appearance, and overall quality of life.
One unavoidable consequence of missing teeth is bone resorption. This natural process occurs when the body breaks down the bone that once supported the teeth, reusing the minerals elsewhere. Normally, teeth in your jawbone stimulate new bone growth, but without this stimulation, the bone gradually deteriorates. This can lead to a shorter jaw and chin, causing wrinkles and a sunken look in your cheeks and lips.
Dental implants can help prevent or address these issues by replacing lost teeth, ensuring you maintain a healthy, functional, and attractive smile.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Missing a tooth can be quite challenging, affecting not only your confidence but also your health. The absence of a tooth can make you self-conscious about your smile and bring about numerous health complications. Empty spaces in your teeth can lead to an uncomfortable bite, difficulties in eating the foods you enjoy, and potential bone loss or movement of the remaining teeth.
- Restore Your Natural Appearance – Dental implants mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth. Custom-made to fit seamlessly with your smile, these implants are designed to match the size, shape, and colour of your teeth, ensuring a natural appearance. They blend in perfectly, becoming a permanent part of your smile.
- Feel Confident in Your Comfort – Dental implants provide stability and comfort. The titanium post of the implant fuses with your jawbone as it heals, creating a secure foundation. Whether topped with a crown, bridge, or used to anchor implant-supported dentures, the implant stays firmly in place. You can laugh, smile, and enjoy your favourite foods without worrying about shifting teeth or sudden pain.
- Improve Bone Strength – Losing teeth can lead to bone deterioration over time. Dental implants counteract this by stimulating new bone growth around the implant, helping to maintain and even strengthen the bone structure.
Dental implants are a long-lasting solution that can endure for decades with proper care. They provide a natural-feeling, reliable replacement for missing teeth, keeping your smile healthy and strong.
Dental Implant Restorations
The restoration is the visible part of the implant, acting as the new tooth. While the implant itself is hidden beneath the gums, the restoration sits on top, creating the look of a natural tooth in your smile.
- Dental Crown – A dental crown is the most common type of implant restoration, designed to cover a single-tooth implant.
- Dental Bridge – A dental bridge spans the gap where multiple teeth are missing. It can replace several teeth using one or two implants for support. A full implant-supported bridge replaces an entire arch of upper or lower teeth, anchored by four or more implants.
- Implant Denture – Implant dentures provide extra stability to removable dentures by clipping them onto two small implants.
A New Life With Dental Implants Awaits!
Your smile will be transformed for the better with a dental implant.
Dental implants are easy to care for—simply brush and floss daily, and protect them during sports. Regular checkups with us will ensure your implant remains healthy.
With proper care, your dental implant can provide you with many years of strong, confident, and beautiful smiles!
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How It Feels
Although the idea of having a metal implant in your jaw might seem intimidating, the actual procedure is quite manageable.
To ensure your comfort, we use a mild anesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel pain during the process. Modern dental techniques allow us to place implants quickly and accurately, leading to minimal discomfort and a brief recovery time.
Most patients find the procedure surprisingly easy, often feeling relaxed or even sleepy during the short half-hour it takes. The most challenging part may be keeping your mouth open for a few minutes at a time.
After the procedure, it’s normal to experience some swelling, mild discomfort, and bruising. However, these symptoms are typically easy to manage. We provide detailed instructions to help you reduce discomfort as the anesthetic wears off, and most people feel better within a week.
Reassuringly, dental implants have a success rate of nearly 95%, making them one of the safest and most reliable procedures in dentistry.
What to Expect on Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The implant placement procedure is far more comfortable than you might anticipate.
Assessment
Your dental implant journey begins with a thorough consultation to determine if implants are right for you. During this initial visit, the dental team will take a scan or impression of your teeth to plan the precise angulation of your implant. Additionally, your dentist will conduct X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan of your jaw to evaluate the bone tissue and create a detailed treatment plan.
Inserting the Implant
To ensure your comfort, an anesthetic is administered to numb the surgical site completely. The dentist then creates a small hole in your gums and bone where the implant post will be placed. Once the implant post is securely positioned, the gums may be sutured closed, though this is not always necessary.
Finalizing the Restoration
Following the placement of your implant, you’ll go home to allow it to heal over the coming months. Once healing is complete, you’ll return to our practice for the final step. Your custom dental restoration will be ready, and we’ll securely attach it, giving you a complete and fully functional tooth.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of Dental Implants in Halifax
The price for a single dental implant typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. For full-mouth reconstructive dental implants, costs can range from $6,000 to $60,000 and up. A full set of implant-supported dentures usually averages around $30,000.
In Halifax, it’s important to remember that an accurate quote cannot be given over the phone due to the complexity of the dental implant procedure and the individual factors that affect each case.
- Type and Number of Implants: Specific implants required
- Materials and Supplies: Costs of necessary materials
- Dental Team’s Expertise: Time and experience of the dental professionals
- Surgery Complexity: Location and difficulty of the procedure
- Recovery Support: Duration and support during recovery
Here are some important factors:
Since each case is unique, it’s crucial to speak with a dentist and have an oral exam. This evaluation allows us to understand your specific needs and offer suitable treatment options. We can then provide a more accurate quote tailored to your situation.
Are There Other Solutions for Missing Teeth?
Dental bridges can effectively fill gaps caused by one to three missing teeth. For extensive tooth loss, either on the upper or lower jaw, or throughout the entire mouth, removable dentures or dental prosthetics are often used. When evaluating the costs, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of dental implants compared to other options.
While dental implants may require a higher upfront cost, they provide superior stability and longevity over bridges or dentures. Unlike removable dental prosthetics, which demand specific care and periodic adjustments or replacements, dental implants are cared for just like natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. Properly maintained dental implants can last a lifetime, offering a lasting solution for missing teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your dental implants will look completely natural, and no one will be able to tell they aren’t your real teeth. The metal screws are concealed beneath your gums, while the restorations on top are designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth.
Implants and dentures each serve different purposes and come with their own benefits. While implants are anchored below the gums, providing a robust bite, dentures sit on the surface of your gums and press down on the bone beneath. To determine which option is ideal for you, we suggest scheduling an in-person consultation, as each choice has unique advantages and drawbacks.
Dental bridges or full and partial dentures can be great alternatives for those who aren’t suitable candidates for dental implants. To determine the best options for your specific situation, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us. We’re happy to discuss all available solutions and answer any questions you may have.
To be eligible for a dental implant, you must be an adult with good overall oral health. Your jawbone needs to be strong enough to support the implant, and your gums should be healthy to minimize the risk of complications. If you’re unsure about your candidacy, please call us for an assessment. Often, there are treatment options to improve your oral health, aiming for a future dental implant. Additionally, there are alternative methods for replacing missing teeth.
Yes, they will! Your dental implants will be custom-fitted with crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures designed to blend perfectly with your natural teeth. These custom restorations are tailored in shape and color to match your existing teeth and bite, ensuring a seamless and natural look. Most patients find it difficult to tell their natural teeth apart from their new implants.
Advancements in dental implant technology have made the procedure highly predictable and relatively pain-free. The implant process is performed with great care and precision, ensuring minimal discomfort. With proper aftercare, you can expect only minor swelling and little to no bleeding. Your physical and emotional well-being are important to us, so if you have any anxiety about the procedure, please let us know.
Usually, you can go back to work the day following your implant surgery. However, once we finalize your treatment plan, we’ll provide a precise timeline and advise if you need more recovery time. We’ll also go over all post-operative care instructions with you ahead of time.
Taking care of your dental implants means keeping up with regular checkups. Just like natural teeth, they need to be cleaned and examined routinely. Generally, we suggest coming in about every six months, but we’ll tailor our recommendation based on your specific needs.
Look after your dental implants as you would your natural teeth. This involves daily brushing and flossing, scheduling regular cleanings and checkups, and notifying your dentist immediately if any problems arise.
No, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. Once placed, they are intended to last for many years without needing routine replacement.
