Despite great advancements in dental care and the introduction of restorative dentistry methods, millions of Americans lose teeth every year due to periodontal diseases, dental trauma, or cavities. Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause contributing to the accumulation of plaque to form tartar. Cavity-causing bacterias thrive on the tartar. The teeth are essential to chew food and to speak distinctly. Apart from these, the teeth have aesthetic value and boost your confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants in Waterdown, ON are a method of restorative dentistry done to replace lost teeth. Gone are the days when you had to compromise the adjacent teeth while getting dentures or dental bridges. The modern dental implant that is in practice today was invented by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per Ingvar Branemark in 1952.
With time dental implants have evolved accordingly to ensure that they can resemble natural teeth and can perform all the functionalities of a real tooth. Dental implants consist of three parts and are an invasive process. The lowest part known as a post is made from titanium or zirconium resembles a metal screw. The metal post is surgically placed in the jawbones and allowed to fuse with the jaws in due time. The metal posts serve as the artificial root of the teeth and the crowns are placed on the metal posts.
The abutment is the connector between the metal post and the crown. The crown serves as the false teeth and is made from porcelain or ceramics. The crowns resemble the natural teeth and are placed on the abutment.
What to Expect During Dental Implant Procedure?
It is better to consult your dentist in Waterdown, ON to ensure that tooth implants are right for you. The dentist or orthodontic surgeon performs a thorough examination of the oral cavity to ensure whether the jawbones have the sufficient quantity and density to accommodate the implant.
Dental implant treatments are person-specific and various factors decide on determining the treatment plan. Based on the condition of the oral tissues, the gums, and history of past medication, the dentist prescribes dental implant treatment.
The dentist performs tomography scans, X-rays, and 3D scans to get a clear picture of the oral cavity. Underlying health conditions are taken into account before performing the surgery. Apart from restoring the structure and functionality of the teeth, today’s dental implants are indistinguishable from natural ones.
The metal posts are surgically placed in the jawbones and require a period of osseointegration during which the posts get integrated with the jawbones. The time may be anything between 6 weeks to 6 months. Then the dentist places the crowns on the posts.
Types of Dental Implants
Depending on their structure, dental implants can be:
Endosteal Implants
These are the most common form of implants used today in which titanium screws are surgically placed in the jawbone. Once the posts integrate with the jawbones, the abutments are placed, to which the crowns are connected.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are rare and are used when you do not like anything inserted in your jaws. A metal frame is fitted on the jaws, just below the gum line and the metal posts protrude through the gums. With time the metal frame gets fixed with the jawbones. Finally, crowns are placed on the protruding posts.
Potential Risk and Complications
Dental implants are arguably the best option for missing teeth replacement. Every surgery is accompanied by complications and risks, but they are not life-threatening in most cases. Bleeding, minor infections, and allergies are some of the common side effects of the dental implant procedure.
The success rate of implants is very high and implants might fain only by overloading or fracture of the implants. In acute cases, implant surgery might affect the underlying fine capillaries or nerves. Chances of periodontal infection after dental implant surgeries are slim, and a qualified orthodontic surgeon can reduce such risks.
Dental implants in Waterdown, ON, can cost between $500 to $8000 including the abutment and crowns. You may book an appointment with Waterdown Smiles Dentistry to avail patient-centric dental care by a dentist in Waterdown, ON. We are open for extended hours to let you fit your schedule and get the dental care you need. Apart from dental implants, we also offer sedation dentistry and emergency dentistry.
