An incomplete smile may mean you’re smiling less than you’d like to be. Luckily, dental implants have come a long way due to advancements in dentistry. Whether it’s a porcelain tooth implant or implant-supported dentures, one of our dentists will be with you every step of the implant process.
The confidence you have in your smile is our top priority! If you’re ready to complete your smile, contact us to book your free consultation today.
Dental implants are a surgical option to replace missing teeth. A dental implant consists of a porcelain crown (false tooth) that is anchored to a titanium root. The artificial titanium tooth root is first implanted surgically and then allowed to heal before the porcelain crown (false tooth) is attached to it — a dental bridge may also be used instead of the false tooth.
Today, dental implants have become a much more sustainable solution than dentures or bridges. Dental implants serve as a perfect solution for those needing a single tooth or multi-tooth replacement from decay, injury, oral disease, or grinding. Ideal patients should have healthy gums as well as a strong jawbone to hold the implant in place.
Getting dental implants involves a careful planning process, installation, integration phase, and then placement of your fixed restoration (i.e. crown, bridge, or denture). We’ve outlined the entire procedure below:
Your first visit will include an examination (a 3D scan and x-rays) of the structure of your jaw to see how much bone you have available and if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are not a candidate due to insufficient jaw density then we can discuss options to obtain this bone such as a bone graft. We’ll then determine where each implant will need to be installed, if other adjunctive procedures are necessary, and choose the best type of dental implant for you.
The installation is relatively straightforward. During the first procedure, we make an incision in the gums where the implant will be attached. Next, we drill a hole in the bone where the implant is placed and then sew up the incision. The second part of installation is the implant placement, explained below.
Our next step is to place the dental implant in the small hole we created in your jawbone. After the implant has been placed we need to wait for the implant to integrate.
The integration phase is one of the most important parts of your treatment. This is the period of time where the jawbone grows around and fuses to the implant, making it a permanent part of your smile. The healing process can range from three to six months.
Once the dental implant has integrated into your bone we take an impression of your teeth and implant position to send to our dental lab partners who create a custom crown to match your adjacent teeth. After the crown has been made and placed, you’ll immediately be able to enjoy improved function and a beautiful, fully restored smile.
Dental implants can give you the new smile you want!
Book Your Free ConsultationAlthough unusual, like all dental procedures, there are risks associated with implant placement such as infection, pain, and failure to integrate. At your consultation, Dr. Silver will determine whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants based on your specific situation.
Your dental implant will wear similarly to your natural teeth, but you can help prevent unnecessary wear by keeping your dental implants in good condition with the following recommendations:
If your dental implant sustains minor damage, it may be repaired with dental composite, but more severe breaks may require that your porcelain crown be replaced. To learn more about caring for your dental implants, please contact our office.
You are a perfect dental implant candidate if you:
In some cases, a patient may not have sufficient bone tissue readily available for the placement of dental implants. In these cases, new bone can be added through a series of ridge augmentation procedures prior to placing the implants.
There are three types of dental implants:
Which type of dental implant is best? That will depend on your smile’s needs and anatomy.
Any type of discomfort that you might feel after dental implant surgery is usually localized to the gums right around the initial installation site. Keep in mind that your injection site (from the local anesthesia) can be sore for a few days. Rinsing with warm salt water is a great way to reduce soreness and swelling. Fortunately, your soft tissues can heal quite quickly as long as you take care of your mouth properly. If you’re quite sore, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can alleviate discomfort as needed — you probably won’t need it more than a day or two after surgery.
Make sure not to use that part of your mouth to bite or chew until directed. It’s important to not irritate the installation site so that the area can heal as quickly as possible. We’ll likely place a special temporary “healing abutment” over the implant to minimize any irritation and address aesthetic needs.
Yes, dental implants are completely safe as long as you are a good candidate and if they are installed by a qualified dentist. To find out if you’re a good candidate please contact our office to set up a consultation.
The cost of your dental implants will depend entirely on how many dental implants you’ll need in total and the type of implant needed. For example, some implant patients can opt to only get four implants total in their upper or lower jaw, which can permanently anchor a full-arch prosthesis like a hybrid dental bridge.
To make sure you have an accurate estimate of the cost of your implant therapy, our dentist will provide you with a detailed treatment plan for you to consider before committing to any type of treatment.
Yes, dental implants can help reduce bone loss. Once you lose a tooth, you will slowly lose the surrounding bone. Implants preserve your bone.
The dental implant procedure, like every medical procedure, carries with it certain risks. In the case of dental implants, infection is one of the most common complications. Dr. Silver will walk you through the procedure at your initial consultation and discuss with you the potential risks of implant placement and how to minimize these risks.
Further, dental implants are vulnerable to the same risks of gum disease and infection as your normal teeth. That’s why basic dental hygiene is so important! Make sure to brush and floss twice a day, and come see Dr. Silver for frequent, regularly scheduled dental check-ups and cleanings.
There really isn’t a downside to dental implants, although dental implants can require a slightly larger up-front cost compared to other types of tooth replacements. However, you’re able to invest in a long-term solution that lasts longer than more conventional options — so in turn, they help save you money!
Keep in mind, however, that the implant experience isn’t something that happens overnight. Rather, it requires careful planning and procedures that may span over the course of several months. If your mind is set on an immediate tooth replacement, our dentist may need to discuss some type of temporary or interim solution while your new implants integrate.
Most dental implants are made out of titanium. Titanium is a biocompatible, hypoallergenic metal that’s used for a variety of medical reasons, including surgical joint replacement.
Why titanium? Titanium triggers a process that we call “osseointegration”, meaning that new bone grows around and fuses to the titanium, permanently anchoring it in the area where the implant is installed. Once fully integrated, a dental implant is stronger than a healthy tooth. That’s why it only takes a couple of implants to support the weight of multi-tooth dental bridges! However, there are some situations where titanium might be less than ideal. For example, a front tooth where a portion of the implant is visible when you smile. In that case, we may want to discuss an alternative design that’s made out of ceramic (since it’s shaded the same white hue as a natural tooth).
Both types of dental implants are extremely safe. There’s little to no risk of any type of irritation, even for people who are sensitive or allergic to certain types of metals. However, be sure to let our dentist know if you have any metal sensitivity.
No, antibiotics are only used in dentistry when there’s a chronic infection. For example, if you have a severe tooth abscess, the swelling can interfere with getting the tooth numb during your treatment. In that case, we might prescribe an antibiotic leading up to the procedure to ensure that you’re comfortable.
Yes, dental implants can and should last for the lifetime of the patient. This is a result of their predictable nature, extremely low failure rate, and the osseointegration process that fuses the implant directly within the bone.
However, the restoration on top of your dental implant will gradually wear out and require updating from time to time. This would be the crown, bridge, or denture that’s attached to the implant abutment (the part that’s visible above your gums). Fortunately, you can still expect most of them to last 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years in some cases.
If you want your dental implants to last forever, be sure to brush and floss them daily, and schedule regular six-month checkups with your dentist.
It’s estimated that dental implants have a failure rate of less than 2%, which means a success rate of approximately 98%, making them one of the most successful types of treatment in modern dentistry. The biggest factors for implant failure include infections like peri-implantitis, which is an implant specific type of gum disease.
The great news is that peri-implantitis can be prevented with good hygiene. Simply brush and floss your new implants as if they were natural teeth! By preventing plaque buildup around the gum margins, you can reduce the chances of any biofilm from settling down between the gums and implant structure. If you notice any classic signs of gingivitis, alert us right away.
You don’t have to, but you can. Most people say that getting dental implants installed is actually easier than having a tooth pulled. Only local anesthetic is needed since your bone doesn’t have pain receptors inside of it. If the gums at your implant site are numb, we can ensure that you’ll be comfortable throughout the duration of your procedure.
However, some people simply like to have the peace of mind that they won’t feel anything, or they are too nervous to feel comfortable in a dental office. If that’s the case, our dentist can offer sedation dentistry to help you relax. Some types of sedatives are light enough that you can drive yourself home after (laughing gas) while others are stronger and can take a few hours to wear off.
Be sure to communicate your concerns with us, so that we can curate the best type of comfort solutions during your dental implant procedure.
Absolutely not! If you are healthy enough to undergo routine dental procedures, then you are likely healthy enough to have dental implants placed. Dr. Silver will be able to determine if you are a good candidate at your initial consultation.
There are three broad categories of dental implant patients, and the best option for you will usually be determined by which of these categories best describes you.
Dr. Jennifer Silver has been beautifying smiles in Calgary for the past 15 years! She’s worked with many different patients with many different needs from replacing a single tooth to an entire full row. If you want to complete your smile, Dr. Jennifer will work closely with you to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, or find the next best solution!
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Enjoy a smile you never had before with smile makeover! Create a custom smile enhancement plan to include everything form simple tooth whitening to porcelain veneers.
Dental crowns work well for teeth that have become damaged due to injury or large areas of decay, or in cases where old metal fillings have broken the tooth structure down.
Get a brighter, healthier smile with regular dental cleanings and check-ups! We’ll help you keep up with regular dental visits to ensure your teeth and gums are in the best shape possible.