New Westminster City Dentist
Dental Implant in New Westminster
New Westminster City Dentist
Dental Implant Near You
A dental implant consists of a metal screw that is inserted into the jawbone. The screw is made from titanium and performs the function of a tooth root that holds the replacement tooth in place.
The Benefit of Dental Implants
While bridges, crowns, and dentures are commonly used to replace decayed or missing teeth, these treatments are not permanent and must be replaced over time. Dental implants are a permanent solution that can be used to restore the natural look and functioning of the teeth.
Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?
If you are interested in the dental implant procedure, your dentist can examine you to see if this might be a suitable procedure for you. They will take scans of your teeth, jaws, and head to assess the health of your gums and jaw bone. In order for an implant to be successful, you must have enough bone in your jaw to hold the implant in place. If your dentist finds that there is not enough bone for implantation, they may recommend bone grafting as a solution.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a medical procedure used for patients whose jaw bone may have shrunk due to age or when the jaw bone has not developed properly. During the procedure, the bone is removed from another part of the body and transplanted into the jaw. In many cases, the bone is taken from cadavers or animals to reduce the surgical procedures for the patient. Once the bone grafting procedure is complete, you may have to wait several months for the new bone to heal.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The implant procedure takes place over multiple visits, with time given for healing between each visit.
Insert The Implant
In the first stage of the implant procedure, the oral surgeon will make a small cut in the gum to expose the jawbone. They will then drill a hole into the exposed bone and insert the metal titanium screw. Once the screw has been set, the surgeon will stitch the gum back into place. At this stage, it is necessary to allow sufficient time for the bone and gum to bond with the implant.
Attach the Abutment
When the implant is healed, the abutment can be attached. The abutment is a post that connects the implant screw to the replacement tooth.
Connect the Artificial Tooth
The artificial tooth comes in the form of a crown which is attached to the abutment. Your specialist may attach the replacement tooth at the same time as they add the abutment or set up a separate appointment for this.
What Are Restoration Teeth Made From?
Dental implants are usually made from ceramic materials such as porcelain. Porcelain is a suitable material for tooth restoration because it looks very similar to a natural tooth and is ideal in terms of hardness, translucence, and durability. Your specialist will colour-match the replacement tooth with your existing teeth for a completely natural look.
What To Expect With Implant Surgery
The implant procedure takes place in several stages, so you can expect to experience some pain and discomfort during the process. Patients who undergo bone grafting can expect to experience swelling of the gums and face.
When the implant is inserted into the jawbone, it is common to find bruising of the skin and gums around the implant area. Your specialist may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection and suggest painkillers to manage any pain.
How To Care For Your Dental Implant
Dental implants look and function like your natural teeth, and it is important to take care of them daily. Brush your implants twice a day and floss between the tooth and the gum line as you would with your normal teeth. Your dentist will advise you on the best way to clean dental implants, but if you have any questions, just ask.
Foods To Avoid When You Have a Dental Implant
Your new dental implant will allow you to chew and bite food normally, but you should be aware of what you eat so you don’t break or damage the crown. Avoid chewing on hard food.
Ice and hard candy might exert too much pressure on the crown and cause it to chip or break. Also, watch out for food and drink that may stain your crown. Regular consumption of colas, tobacco, and black teas can cause discoloration over time.
Get Regular Check-Ups To Preserve Your Teeth
When you get a dental implant, you need to visit your dentist regularly so they can check that your implant is still firmly in place and that your bite is still aligned.
At New Westminster City Dental, we encourage routine dental exams to detect problems as and when they arise. Decay caught early can be easily treated with fillings, saving the health of your natural teeth.
