How Do Dental Implants Work

If you are missing one teeth or several, a dental implant might be an effective alternative to dentures or bridges. They are safe, comfortable, and indistinguishable from real teeth, allowing for many years of happy smiles. Pearl Dental offers many different dental implant solutions in Burlington, with years of experience and hundreds of successful procedures.

A dental implant is essentially an artificial root connected to an artificial tooth that sits in your jaw to replace a missing tooth. The root is typically made from titanium, an extremely strong and biocompatible metal that can be used in medical implants without causing infection or allergic reaction. The dental implant can be used to replace a single tooth by attaching a porcelain crown to the implant or it can be used to replace many teeth by securing several implants to a new permanent set of teeth.

How are Dental Implants Placed?

Dental implants in Burlington are a fantastic option for many patients looking to repair their smiles and have teeth they can be proud of for years to come.

At your initial consultation, Dr. Currie will take X-rays of your jaw and visually inspect the missing tooth site to gauge your eligibility for dental implant surgery. Dr. Currie will also review your health history and discuss the risks and benefits of tooth replacement with dental implants.

The dental implant surgical procedure is a minor oral surgery that is generally performed with just a local anaesthetic. In fact placing an implant is typically less painful than removing a tooth! The surgery can also be performed with sedation if you are anxious or are having multiple implants inserted; Dr. Currie will typically prescribe analgesics to maximise your comfort.

Generally, the dental implant is allowed to heal for 4-6 months before a tooth will be attached. However, with more aesthetically critical situations (such as front teeth) Dr. Currie can employ more advanced procedures to attach a tooth on the very same day.

Who Can Get Dental Implants?

Almost all patients are eligible for dental implant treatment. However, there are some risk factors that can influence healing after any oral surgery such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or pre-existing periodontal disease. Dr. Currie will review your unique situation to help minimise any risks associated with your particular treatment.

The elderly are often most in need of dental implant therapy and it is important to note that there is no upper age limit for dental implant placement. In fact many of Dr. Currie’s patients are enjoying their dental implants into their 80’s and even their 90’s. One group of patients who are not eligible for dental implants are the very young. It is generally advisable to delay dental implant placement until after growth is completed; approximately 18 for girls and 21 for boys.

How Do I Care For My Dental Implants?

Once they have been successfully installed, dental implants in Burlington act a lot like natural teeth. This means they need to be looked after with the same care as your other teeth, including adequate flossing, brushing and regular cleaning and check-ups.