Your Etobicoke Invisalign® Provider
At Cloverdale Dental Group, our Etobicoke dentists may place a dental implant as part of the process to replace a missing tooth and leave you with a natural-looking smile.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw. It functions similarly to a natural tooth root and can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth.
Your dentist will surgically replace the implant in your jawbone. It will then bond with the natural bone to act as an anchor for a tooth replacement.
Dental implants have a few purposes. They can help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting out of alignment, resolve bite issues or jaw joint pain, and restore facial tissues and appearance.
Why Replace Missing Teeth
When a tooth is missing, teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift out of place and lead to misalignment issues. The jaw bone around the area can start to deteriorate, resulting in facial collapse. Your ability to speak and eat may also be negatively impacted.
The Dental Implant Procedure in Etobicoke
To perform a dental implant procedure, your dentist uses a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
To begin, your dentist will surgically place the implant into your jaw bone, underneath the gum tissue. As the tissue heals, the implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum.
Once healing has taken place (typically 3 to 6 months post-surgery), patients return to our office to have the procedure completed.
During this last appointment, your dentist will attach a tooth replacement such as a denture, dental bridge or crown, to the implant to create the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Dental Implant FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Cloverdale Dental Group.
- How long does a dental implant last?
Implants can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. This includes following a proper oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing at home and attending regular hygiene cleanings and exams at your dental office.
A dental implant's longevity may also be influenced by other factors including nutrition, genetics, or the development of any dental diseases.
- How do I care for my dental implants?
You should care for a dental implant just like how you would care for your natural teeth.
Seeing your dentist for regular hygiene appointments and maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home can help prevent the development of diseases or decay in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can negatively impact your dental implants.
- Does getting a dental implant hurt?
Your dentist will administer anesthesia during dental implant surgery to ensure your comfort, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure.
After the procedure, patients do not typically experience much discomfort. Most can manage any pain with over-the-counter pain medication for a few days after the procedure.
For the first couple of weeks following the implant procedure, you will also need to eat a soft diet to avoid any pain or irritation.
- How long does the dental implant process take?
Completing the entire dental implant procedure usually takes about two to nine months. The timeline will vary depending on your treatment plan.
Your dentist can provide you with a more specific timeline based on your particular case.
- Will my insurance cover dental implants?
While some insurance companies will cover the cost of dental implants, others will only pay for a portion of the cost, and still, others won't pay for any part of it.
Check with insurance to determine what part of, if any, of your dental implant treatment will be covered by your insurance.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are attached to implants in the jawbone. Candidates for these types of dentures must have healthy gums, good oral care routines and enough jawbone, though bone may be rebuilt to a degree if required.