If you’re considering dental implants as a solution for missing teeth, you’re on the right track towards restoring both the functionality and aesthetics of your smile. At Queen King Dental in Hamilton, Ontario, we specialize in providing comprehensive dental implant services designed to meet the unique needs of each patient. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand what dental implants are, how they work, and why they might be the best option for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, typically made from titanium, that are surgically placed into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them. Because implants fuse to your jawbone, they provide stable support for artificial teeth. Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth—an especially important benefit when eating and speaking.
The Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants
- Improved Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
- Enhanced Comfort: As they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
- Easier Eating: Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
- Improved Oral Health: Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
- Durability: Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Generally, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people suffering from uncontrolled chronic disorders—such as diabetes or heart disease—or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The first step in the dental implant process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. This team approach provides coordinated care based on the implant option that is best for you.
Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process can take from six to 12 weeks.
Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post — called an abutment — is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make the new tooth or teeth, a dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). The new tooth or teeth are based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.
Ready to Restore Your Smile?
If you’re ready to take the next step towards a healthier, more complete smile with dental implants, we at Queen King Dental are here to help. Our experienced team in Hamilton, Ontario, is dedicated to providing you with high-quality dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Don’t hesitate to restore your smile and confidence. Call us today at 289-769-9598 to schedule your consultation and find out if dental implants are right for you.
