What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small metal screws designed to replace an entire tooth. In a relatively brief surgical procedure, a dentist carefully places the implant into the bone beneath your gums, precisely where a natural tooth would be. This implant functions as a natural tooth root and is eventually capped with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to ensure it not only looks but also feels just like a real tooth.
Considering dental implants is a significant decision, and you may have questions about what to expect. We aim to provide comprehensive information here to help you make an informed decision about your dental treatment.
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Why Dental Implants May Be Necessary?
Your natural teeth not only maintain the height and shape of your smile but also enable you to eat and speak comfortably. A gap in your smile can lead to the misalignment of your other teeth, increasing the risk of oral health issues. Losing just one tooth can set off a chain reaction in your mouth, affecting your oral health, facial appearance, and overall quality of life.
Even if you don’t experience these consequences of missing teeth, you can’t escape bone resorption, a natural process in which your body breaks down non-essential bone tissue. Teeth in your jawbone stimulate the production of new bone tissue. However, once those teeth are gone, the bone tissue serves no purpose, leading to its gradual dissolution. This results in a shortened jaw and chin, causing wrinkles and a sunken appearance in your cheeks and lips.
Dental implants represent the second-best solution to having natural teeth. You can prevent or address the issues mentioned above by replacing lost teeth with implants.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can have a profound impact, affecting your confidence in your smile and potentially leading to various health issues. Gaps can make your bite uncomfortable, hinder your ability to enjoy your favorite foods, and may even result in bone loss or teeth shifting.
- Restore your natural appearance: Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth, becoming permanent fixtures customized to blend seamlessly with your smile. They appear natural because they are tailored in size, shape, and color to match your unique bite and enamel shade.
- Feel confidently comfortable: When a dental implant is placed, it fuses with your jawbone during the healing process. This fusion ensures that the implant is firmly anchored and won’t move. Laugh, smile, and indulge in your favorite foods without worrying about shifting teeth or sudden discomfort.
- Enhance bone strength: Teeth loss can lead to the weakening and atrophy of the supporting bone. Dental implants stimulate the growth of new bone around the implant site, reinforcing the bone structure.
Dental implants provide a long-term, natural-feeling solution that can last for decades with proper oral hygiene.
Dental Implant Restorations
The restoration is the artificial tooth that covers the implant, making it look like a natural tooth.
- Dental Crown: The most common implant restoration, it covers a single-tooth implant.
- Dental Bridge: Used when multiple adjacent teeth are missing, a bridge can be supported by just one or two implants, effectively replacing several missing teeth. A full implant-supported bridge can replace an entire arch of upper or lower teeth using four or more implants.
- Implant Denture: This option provides additional stability to removable dentures by attaching them to two small implants.
Embrace a Fresh Start with Dental Implants!
Your smile is about to undergo a remarkable transformation with the introduction of a dental implant, and it’s going to be better than ever.
Dental implants are straightforward to maintain and care for. Simply brush and floss your implant gently on a daily basis, and take precautions to protect it during sports activities. Regular checkup visits to our office will allow us to ensure the ongoing health of your implant.
In return, your dental implant has the potential to bless you with years of enduring, joyful, and radiant smiles!
What to Expect During the Procedure
While the idea of having a metal implant placed in your mouth might sound uncomfortable, the actual procedure is generally much more comfortable than you might imagine.
We ensure your comfort by administering a mild anesthetic to numb your mouth, ensuring you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. With the use of advanced dental technology, we can place implants quickly, accurately, and with minimal invasiveness. This approach results in less discomfort and a shorter recovery period for you.
During the brief half-hour implant placement procedure, some patients even report feeling a bit bored or drowsy. The most uncomfortable aspect may be having to keep your mouth open for short intervals, but that’s typically the extent of any discomfort.
What to Anticipate During Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The actual process of implant placement is often more comfortable than you might anticipate.
Assessment
Your dental implant journey begins with a consultation to determine if implants are the right solution for you. Your dentist will conduct X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan of your jaw to assess bone tissue and plan your treatment.
The dental team will also take a scan or impression of your teeth to aid in planning the implant’s angulation.
Implant Insertion
To ensure your comfort, we administer an anesthetic, numbing the surgical site entirely.
The dentist creates a small opening in the gums and bone of your mouth, placing the implant post into the prepared site. In some cases, sutures may be necessary to close the gum.
Finalizing the Restoration
You return home to allow your implant to heal over the following months.
On your subsequent visit to our practice, your dental restoration will be ready for placement. We will affix the restoration, providing you with a fully functional and brand-new tooth before you leave.
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.
Dental Implant Costs in Napanee
In Napanee, the cost of a single dental implant typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. For full-mouth reconstructive dental implants, the cost can vary from $6,000 to $60,000 and beyond. Implant-supported dentures for a full set generally average around $30,000. It’s important to note that providing an accurate quote over the phone is not feasible. The dental implant procedure is highly complex and dependent on various individual factors.
How Is the Cost of Dental Implant Surgery Determined? Several significant factors influence the cost of dental implant surgery, including:
- The type and number of implants required.
- The materials and supplies used.
- The level of experience and expertise of the dental team involved in your treatment.
- The location and complexity of the surgical procedure.
- Your recovery time, with ongoing support from our team.
Each case is unique, making it crucial to consult with a dentist and undergo an oral examination. This allows us to assess your specific needs and present various treatment options for your consideration. We are more than happy to provide you with a more precise cost estimate.
Are There Alternative Solutions for Missing Teeth? For gaps caused by 1 to 3 missing teeth, dental bridges may sometimes be a suitable solution. Extensive tooth loss on the upper or lower arch or throughout the entire mouth can be addressed with dental prosthetics or removable dentures. When comparing the cost of dental implants to other tooth replacement options, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons.
While dental implants may involve a higher initial investment, they offer enhanced stability and durability compared to bridges or dentures. Removable dental prosthetics require distinct care and maintenance, with potential adjustments or replacements over time. Conversely, dental implants can be cared for much like natural teeth, with routine at-home oral care and dental check-ups. With proper maintenance, a dental implant can endure a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Implant placement is typically a well-tolerated procedure. Patients receive local anesthesia, ensuring they don’t feel pain during the surgery. Some may experience mild discomfort or swelling afterward, which can be managed with pain relievers and usually subsides within a few days.
Dental implants are considered a valuable investment in long-term oral health and quality of life. While they may involve a higher initial cost than other options, they offer unmatched stability, durability, and a natural look and feel. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Choosing between a dental bridge and implants depends on individual circumstances:
- Dental Bridge: An effective solution for replacing 1 to 3 adjacent missing teeth. It involves anchoring artificial teeth to neighboring healthy teeth. Bridges are less invasive and often more affordable initially.
- Dental Implants: Ideal for replacing single or multiple missing teeth. Implants provide superior stability, prevent bone loss, and require no alteration of adjacent teeth. While they may have a higher initial cost, they offer long-term benefits and a more natural feel.
Yes, in some cases, same-day dental implants are possible. Known as immediate implants, they are placed right after a tooth extraction. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for immediate implants. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation to determine if this option is feasible.
The waiting period after an extraction varies depending on individual factors and the specific tooth involved. In some cases, implants can be placed immediately after extraction (immediate implants). However, in other cases, a healing period of several weeks to a few months may be necessary to ensure proper bone healing before implant placement. Your dentist will assess your case to determine the ideal timing for implant placement.
