Lost A Tooth? Dental Implants are a solution.
Using modern materials, Dental implants are a near permanent solution to the age old problem of lost teeth! With very strong performance, and perfect colour matching to your existing teeth, Dental implants restore form and function.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dr Parlett has been placing implants for over 30 years. He uses 3 of the most clinically proven implant systems to accommodate to a variety of different patient problems. Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where there is a missing tooth. There are several applications for implants in dentistry. Along with replacing single missing teeth, they can also be used to help fill longer spans of missing teeth, and they can help to secure dentures in the mouth.
Once it is determined that implants are a good option for you, and after your implants have been placed, Dr.Parlett can build the artificial, natural- looking restorations upon these titanium posts. The goal is that the implants will improve overall function, and contribute to improving your overall aesthetics.
There are several materials your restoration can be made out of. They offer varying degree’s of strength and resilience which all contribute to the function and wear of the implant. Unique to our practice in the Bracebridge community, we provide patients with the convenience of an on-site dental lab where the dental restorations are manufactured. Have a look at our About the office page here to learn more
How Implants Work
During a minor surgical procedure, your dental implant is inserted directly into the jawbone in the space vacated by the missing tooth. It will then be left to heal for a period of months before the final crown is attached. During this healing period, the implant actually fuses to the bone surrounding it.
Dental Implants can replace missing teeth in a variety of ways….
Dental Implants to replace one tooth.
Replace One Tooth — When you have one tooth missing, a single implant is inserted into the bone to replace the root part of that tooth; a crown then goes on top to simulate an actual tooth. This treatment choice has the highest success rate, making it the best long-term investment for replacing a single missing tooth. Even if the initial cost is slightly higher than other options, it is the most cost-effective solution over time. An implant will never decay or need root canal treatment, and feels just like the tooth that was there.
Dental Implants to replace Multiple Teeth.
Replace Multiple Teeth — When you have more than one tooth missing, implants provide an ideal replacement mechanism. You don’t even need one implant for every missing tooth. Instead, implant teeth can act as supports for fixed bridgework. For example, if you are missing three teeth in a row, we can place two implants, one on either side of the gap, and a crown in between that has no implant underneath. That way, you won’t need to use any of your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports, which could weaken them and make them more susceptible to decay.
Dental Implants to replace all teeth.
Replace All Teeth Permanently — Implants can support an entire arch of upper or lower replacement teeth that are fixed into the mouth and are never removed. Sometimes the new teeth can be supported by as few as 4 implants. It’s comparable to the structure of a table, which only needs 4 legs to hold it up. In cases where jawbone density and volume have deteriorated, 5 or 6 implants might be needed to support a row of 10 to 12 teeth. Dental implant replacement teeth protect your jawbone, won’t slip, and should last a lifetime.
Dental Implants to support removable dentures.
Implants can even make removable dentures more comfortable, effective and healthier to wear. Traditional dentures rest on the gums and put pressure on the underlying bone. This accelerates bone loss so that the jaw shrinks and the dentures slip, particularly on the bottom. But today dentists can attach a removable denture onto implants, transferring that pressure into the bone structure rather than the bone surface. This prevents the dentures from slipping while you eat and speak, and preserves the bone directly beneath them.
Dental Implants: Care and Maintenance
There are only two ways an implant can lose attachment to the bone and fail once it has successfully fused: poor oral hygiene or excessive biting forces. Poor oral hygiene and/or a lack of regular cleanings can lead to a destructive bacterial infection called peri-implantitis. Flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis, along with regular professional cleanings, can prevent this. Excessive biting forces can come from either a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, or an insufficient number of implants to handle the forces generated by your bite. You should receive the correct number of implants so this does not happen. And if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your implants. After all, implants are a long-term investment in your smile, your health and your well-being, so it’s best to protect your investment.