Dental Implants — Toronto, Ontario

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The initial dental implant consultation is a crucial first step in the implant process. During this visit, Dr. Dann will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, taking X-rays to assess your jawbone health. This is one of the most important factors to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for implants. You’ll also discuss your dental history, overall health, and your specific needs and expectations. Dr. Dann will explain the procedure in detail, including the timeline, costs, and any preparatory treatments required. Your consultation needs to be thorough to make the rest of your personalized treatment go as smoothly as possible.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is the next step after your consultation. Performed under local anesthesia, the procedure begins with Dr. Dann making a small incision in the gum to expose the jawbone. A precise hole is then made into the bone, and a titanium implant post is carefully inserted and topped with a healing cap. The gum is then closed over the implant. This fixture will serve as an artificial tooth root that will later hold your restoration in place. This minimally invasive surgery causes only minor discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

After the implant post is placed, a process called osseointegration begins. Over the next few months, the titanium post will fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, creating a solid and stable base for your future artificial tooth. This integration period is critical for the success and longevity of the implant. Once osseointegration is complete, Dr. Dann will perform another minor surgical procedure to attach an abutment to the implant. This piece serves as a connector between the implant and your restoration. Once the abutment is placed, the hard part is over! Soon, you’ll be in the final phase of your treatment.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration

The final step in the dental implant process is the delivery of your dental implant restoration. Dr. Dann will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom crown, bridge, or denture that matches the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. It will take a couple of weeks, but once your restoration is ready, it will be securely attached to the abutment. Dr. Dann will then ensure the fit is perfect and make any necessary adjustments. The result is a natural-looking and fully functional tooth that blends seamlessly with your smile, allowing you to eat, speak, and beam with confidence.

Day-to-Day Benefits

An estimated 3 million people in the United States have dental implants and that number is expected to grow in the coming years. Part of the reason they’re so popular is that they can greatly enhance your day-to-day routine because they:

• Restore your ability to chew. There are very few dietary restrictions that come with these artificial teeth because they’re firmly anchored in place. That means you can enjoy all your favorite meals like you used to.
• Allow for proper enunciation. You can develop a lisp or other speech issues if you have gaps in your grin, but once they’re filled, you’re sure to be clearly understood.
• Upgrade your appearance. Worrying about how others will perceive you can leave you feeling anxious or depressed, but dental implants look and feel natural so no one will know the difference.
• Are easy to clean. Maintaining them is as simple as brushing and flossing twice daily.

Health Benefits

Tooth loss can be seriously detrimental to your oral health, but dental implants can prevent problems by:

• Preserving your facial structure. Your jawbone begins to deteriorate when teeth go missing but your restoration functions like the root of a tooth. Every time you bite down it stimulates your jaw to keep it active to maintain the shape of your face.
• Preventing drifting. Your remaining teeth are prone to shifting out of place to fill in the gaps left behind. If they’re not properly aligned, they can sustain uneven wear and tear that leaves them more vulnerable to injury.
• Avoiding oral issues. Because brushing and flossing them is convenient, you’re less likely to develop cavities or gum disease.

Long-Term Benefits

Dental implants are a great way to improve your daily life as well as your dental well-being. On top of that, they also provide several long-standing benefits because they are:

• Resilient. They can last 30+ years with the right care so you can make the most of them for decades.
• Successful. They have an incredibly high success rate of more than 95% even 10 years after their initial placement.
• Durable. They’re made of materials that resist breaking and staining so you can look and feel your best.
• Cost-effective. Although they typically are pricier up front, they’re generally sturdier than dentures and dental bridges which means they don’t need as many expensive repairs or replacements.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

So long as you’re a healthy adult, you’ll likely qualify for implants. That said, our practice will determine your candidacy at the consultation. This visit lets us perform an oral exam to see if you have certain qualifying factors. The most common of these elements include:

• Good Overall Health – Implant placement is a minor surgery, so your body needs strength to bear it. This wellness reduces your odds of post-surgery complications.
• Great Oral Health – Implants will fail soon after placement if you suffer from gum disease or cavities. As such, the latter issues must be addressed before surgery.
• Sufficient Jawbone Density – Implants rely on your jaw’s bone tissue for support. Consequently, your jawbone needs to have high bone density for successful placement. Implants won’t be able to fuse with your jaw otherwise.

Even if you aren’t a good candidate, though, there’s still hope for care. You can qualify for implants later by getting preliminary work like tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafting. From there, your mouth will be ready to receive implants based on how many teeth you’re missing.

Missing One Tooth

Should you only need to replace one tooth, opting for a single implant and crown will be enough. These two items, taken together, are more durable and longer-lasting than other restorations. Placing them also doesn’t remove healthy enamel from adjacent teeth.

The placement process is fairly simple. Once placed in the jaw’s socket, an implant will gradually fuse with your jawbone. After the gums heal from that initial step, the dentist will place the abutment to stabilize the future crown. This latter prosthetic uses high-quality porcelain to ensure beautiful, lifelike results.

Missing Multiple Teeth

When you lack multiple adjacent teeth, using several single implants is inefficient. Instead, your best bet is to get an implant bridge. Unlike traditional ones, it’s supported by two dental implants. Consequently, it doesn’t rely on hooks to keep itself steady and secure.

Of course, you may be missing teeth throughout the mouth. If so, several implants could anchor a partial denture in place.

Missing All Teeth

You should try an implant denture if you’re missing all your natural teeth (or soon will). The latter prosthetic uses four to six implants to support a full denture, thus restoring an entire row of chompers.

Ultimately, an implant denture has many unique perks compared to traditional ones. Firstly, it won’t slip or fall due to the implants’ fusing with your jaw. Plus, it’s rather easy to clean – just brush it twice daily and floss it once daily!