Westwood Dental: 519-836-4650
Starwood Dental: 519-766-1000
Dental Implants in Guelph
Dental Implants for Guelph Patients
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. It is a permanent solution for missing teeth that have been lost due to periodontitis, tooth decay or injury. Dr. Bull at Westwood and Starwood Dental wants to help you restore your smile with beautiful new dental implants. Guelph patients find that dental implants resemble and function just like natural teeth. Significantly stronger than bridges or dentures, dental implants offer a single and permanent solution to lost teeth with fewer downsides.
We also specialize in offering root canal therapy and TMJ therapy. If you require our assistance, don’t hesitate to call us.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants actually are what we call the titanium screw that is surgically placed within the jaw to hold the artificial tooth. The dental implant procedure begins with X-rays of your jaw and head. If Dr. Bull, one of our dentists in Guelph, determines that dental implants would be appropriate for your situation, he will proceed with the surgery, placing the titanium screw into your jawbone. The titanium fuses with the bone tissue and attaches to the gum, which has been stitched closed.
After the tissue has healed (which takes a few months), we will attach an abutment – or a post – perpendicular to the implant, forming a T shape. The doctor connects the prosthetic crown to this abutment, and your smile is restored.
Why Should You Get Dental implants?
There are several reasons why patients with missing teeth are particularly pleased with dental implants in Guelph:
-
You can bite into a crisp apple or chew a juicy steak without care, unlike people with dentures.
-
You’ll experience no embarrassing slipping or sliding, as with dentures – just a solid bite, like you had when you were 10.
-
You’ll be able to throw away your adhesive powders, gels and pads, which collect bacteria and foster smelly breath.
-
Dental implants look and act just like natural teeth!
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
Dental implant installation is a very safe type of oral surgery. Most people will be eligible currently or with small changes to their lifestyle. There are several reasons why you would need dental implants:
- You have lost one or more teeth.
- You want to make your denture more stable.
- You need to get a tooth extracted and replaced.
In addition to the above, you may qualify as a good candidate for implants if:
- You are in good general health.
- You have healthy gums.
- The bone mass in your jaw is large enough.
Conversely, some attributes in your lifestyle may absolutely preclude placing implants. Patients suffering from systemic diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease are at greater risk of implant complications. Osteoporosis and other bone deterioration diseases contribute greatly to implant complications too. Poor oral hygiene and some other health conditions and habits could be other risk factors. Tobacco and alcohol use can both inhibit healing in gum and bone tissue.
Although there is no upper age limit regarding dental implant installation, it is recommended that the procedure be done after the age of 18, in consideration of the jaw growth pattern.
Why Extract a Tooth Before Getting a Dental Implant?
When a tooth cannot be saved, the best option is to extract it and replace it with a dental implant. Here are some reasons why you would need to get a tooth extracted:
- Very large cavities are affecting the tooth structure.
- Large cracks or fractures go vertically or down to the root.
- You have too many teeth for the size of your jaws.
- Severe gum disease has made the tooth loose.
How Long to Wait for Dental Implant Installation after a Tooth Extraction?
This varies from person to person. If there is enough healthy jawbone, it may be possible to place a dental implant the same day a tooth is extracted. However, in most cases, dentists recommend waiting 2 to 6 months after a tooth extraction, in order to let the gums fully heal.
Because bone loss naturally occurs after a tooth is removed, if the wait time is longer than 6 months, there may be more bone loss in the jaw, and so the jaw may become too thin or weak to support an implant. In such cases, a bone graft may be recommended to restore the strength of the jaw and prepare it for an implant.
Three Approaches to Placing Implants After a Tooth Extraction
There are three different approaches that your dentist can use. The deciding factor is how much bone mass your jaw has after the time of the extraction. The amount of bone mass is determined by taking a detailed 3D scan of the jaw. Depending on the scan results, your dentist may choose one of the following approaches:
Immediate post-extraction implant placement
- This can be safely done only if there is enough bone mass to support the implant after the extraction. Immediate implants work best when used on the incisors, canines or premolars, because they have a single root.
Delayed post-extraction implant placement
- The implants are placed between 2 weeks to 3 months after the extraction procedure. This approach allows for the gums and bone around the extraction area to heal before the implants are placed.
Late implantation
- After the extraction, a supplemental procedure such as a bone graft or a sinus lift needs to be performed to build up the bone. It takes about 3 to 6 months for new bone to form, and so the implants are placed 3 months or more after the extraction.
The Procedure for Dental Implants
The procedure consists of 3 or 4 steps, given that sometimes the two stages of implant surgery can be combined, and usually lasts 2 weeks to 6 months.
Oral examination
Your dentist or dental specialist performs a complete examination of your mouth. X-rays of your head, jaw and teeth are taken to find out if dental implants are right for you. If you are a good candidate, you move on to the next step.
First surgery
Your dentist or dental specialist performs surgery: a small incision in the jawbone is made, the implant is inserted into your jawbone, and then the gum tissue is secured with sutures.
Healing
The healing process can take a few months. During this time, the gum tissues heal, and the implant integrates with the bone and attaches to the gum. Your replacement tooth is made by specialists during this time.
Second surgery
Before proceeding with the second surgery, the gum tissues must be in good condition. During surgery, your dentist attaches an abutment to the implant. The crown, or replacement tooth, is then attached to the abutment.
What to Know Before the Surgery
You should be aware of medications that may interfere with anesthesia used during dental implant surgery. For the week before the procedure, avoid aspirin and Advil pain relievers. If you need a pain reliever in the week leading up to your surgery, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended. Moreover, remember to disclose to your dentist any prescription medications you are taking.
Healing Time and Maintenance after Surgery
The perfect fit of the crown may require several visits to your dentist or dental specialist. During the year following the placement of the implants, a follow-up will be planned. Also, you will need to take great care of your implants. Like natural teeth, implants should be cleaned with a toothbrush and floss. Your dentist will tell you the correct technique to follow to clean your implants. Thereafter, it will be important for you to consult your dentist regularly to check the condition of the implants.
Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that takes time, but the benefits are well worth it. You’ll have a healthy smile that looks and feels natural and may even last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call Us for Dental Implants in Guelph
If you are interested in exploring the benefits of dental implants in Guelph, call Westwood and Starwood Dental for a consultation. Our knowledgeable dentists will be pleased to explain whether or not dental implants are right for your situation. We’re happy to provide all the necessary appointments from start to finish right here in a warm and caring environment — Call 519-836-4650 to book your consultation today with Dr. Bull.
