Implants
A Dental implant is a way to replace a lost tooth. In most cases they are the best solution to replace one or many teeth. Impants can also be used to stabilize a denture, giving a firm fit that better resembles your natural teeth
Single Tooth Implants
Single tooth implants are an excellent way to replace a single tooth. Once completed it resembles the original tooth in all ways. You can floss, brush, chew and smile with it just like the original. Best of all there is no metal above the gumline, so it looks totally natural. Implants have come a long way, with the right surgeon and the right technology they have become straightforward.
We use Dr. Shannon Webber to place our implants. He's a very experienced maxillofacial surgeon and has invested in digital impression technology that makes your implant journey much more streamlined than traditional impressions.
How Does It Work
- Shannon will assess whether the quantity and quality of the bone at the implant site . If more bone is needed, he may choose to augment the bone with a graft
- If everything looks good, the implant is placed and allowed to heal in place.
- Shannon will check that the implant is stable and take a digital impression.
- We will work with the laboratory to built the tooth part of the implant. When it is ready we will fit the implant and check that the tooth seats on the implant properly. After a quick bite adjustment you are on your way with a new tooth.
What are the alternatives?
Fixed Bridges
A bridge is when we prepare both teeth adjacent to the gap. A single prosthesis made; 2 crowns with a fake tooth bridging the gap between them. It is the traditional way of replacing one or two missing teeth. Why pick an implant over a bridge?
- Bridge preparation requires cutting the neighbouring teeth, even if they have never had a cavity. Implants spare them from the dentists drill
- Bridges are much harder to clean, because they can't be flossed like an implant. Bridges often aren't cleaned well at home. This increases the risk of a cavity under the bridge.
- If a cavity causes the bridge to come loose at one end, the added leverage can damage the tooth at the other end.
- Studies have shown implants to last much longer, more than twice as long as the average bridge.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures can replace one to many teeth. They are a more economical solution. Proper cleaning and care is still required, and they generally require more ongoing maintenance than bridges or implants. We can make you a partial denture in a variety of materials. Designed and constructed correctly, they can fit very well and last a long time. Loosely fitting partial dentures can rub against the adjacent teeth and cause excessive wear. If your partial denture is loose make sure you stop by and have it adjusted for a proper fit.