Calgary Dental Implants
We know that your teeth are the key to your confidence. The state of your oral health plays a massive part in how your smile looks. Dental implants may be the solution for you if you've got missing teeth which are damaged or decaying.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are exactly what they sound like; they are implants in place of your natural teeth. Implants are used to replace those missing teeth. The implant itself is titanium made from a biocompatible material. It’s made from this material to ensure it stays in your jaw with no issues.
The implant is placed so a tooth can be screwed into the titanium post. The point of an implant is to give patients the ability to eat, speak and get rid of pain or discomfort caused by a cracked, dead or decaying tooth. At Toothcrew, our team has years of experience and can get your smile shining brightly.
Do I need a dental implant?
For patients questioning whether dental implants would be a good choice, we suggest seeing us. Our team is highly knowledgeable and will want a good look at your dental history and the current state of your oral health to make that decision.
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you have healthy teeth, gums and a strong jawbone. For patients struggling with missing teeth caused by decay, damage, injury or oral diseases, this may be a good option for you. We’ll want to ensure your oral health is good before any procedure. We’ll consider several factors when assessing your oral health. We will not proceed with any implant or procedure on patients with poor oral health. Factors we’ll consider when looking at dental implants include the maturity of the jawbone, your overall health, if your jawbone is healthy, and how many implants are needed. We’ll also need to be aware of any medication you are taking and if you smoke.
Dental implants take many months to heal and integrate into your mouth, so we’ll need to ensure you can commit to 6-8 months from beginning to end. The location of the implant matters as well. We will avoid placing an implant too close to the sinus cavity or any critical nerves in the mouth.
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How is it done?
A typical implant procedure will involve 2-3 appointments over months. The first appointment is the consultation. We’ll walk you through the implant procedure, the typical healing time for the implant and what to do in terms of healing. We’ll also check your teeth and gums during the consultation. We may also take moulds of your teeth to match your bite pattern, making the implant more comfortable.
If we’ve determined that implants are a good choice for you, we’ll book you for your first procedure appointment. During the first appointment, the dentist will begin with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. After you’re numb, the dentist will make an incision into the gums and drill into the bone to make space for the implant. The dentist will sew up the incision after the implant is inserted into the jaw. The jawbone will grow around the implant, making it more secure for the replacement tooth. Healing typically takes three to six months.
The second appointment will happen after you’ve fully healed. You’ll be numbed again during the second appointment, and the dentist will make an incision at the original site. We’ll place the abutment into the implant and attach the crown. All that is left is for your jaw and gums to heal, ensuring your implant is secured.
Dental Implant Recovery
Recovery from the implants lasts a couple of weeks. After the final appointment, nothing is left to do so your jaw can fully heal. You'll have some pain and discomfort after the numbing wears off. We can prescribe you a pain reliever or take an over-the-counter one. Using an ice pack will help with any swelling.
We advise patients to take a few days off work or school to manage pain and discomfort. It's best to eat soft foods and avoid brushing the implant site. It may bleed for a day after the procedure. Before you leave, we'll pack the site with gauze; it's best to keep some pressure on it so the wound can clot. After seven to nine days, you can return to your routine.
FAQ's
Have you got a question? We have an answer!
The dental implant can last up to 25 years; the crown will last between five and fifteen years. However, this is if the implant and crown are properly cared for. Treat an implant as you do your other teeth. Brush, floss and come in for regular cleanings.
No, not every missing tooth requires a dental implant. This is something we would discuss in a consultation for dental implants. We would suggest dental bridges for any missing teeth that don’t need an implant.
You may still be a candidate for a dental implant even if you have some bone loss. What will be required if you have bone loss is a bone graft. The grafting material will be added before the implant is placed to ensure your jaw has enough bone density to support the implant.