If you have been thinking about getting dental implants, you have probably done a lot of reading on the subject. While there is plenty of information available online regarding things like tooth implant costs and the best materials to choose from, what about the lesser-known details? Here are the answers to 15 questions about tooth implants that you may have been wondering about.
Just like healthy natural teeth, dental implants do not leave any bad taste in your mouth. They do not taste like anything on their own. However, they will make it easier for you to taste the food you eat. Many people who get dental implants after having severely decayed teeth removed also report that the procedure helped them get the foul taste of rotten teeth out of their mouth.
No. Dental implants do not have nerve receptors, so you cannot experience sensations through them. They are also anchored tightly into your jawbone, so you will not be able to feel them through the skin of your cheeks. They do not feel any different from natural teeth.
Yes. Dental implant screws and abutments are made from titanium, a type of metal that is not magnetic. This means that they will not set off any alarms when you pass through a metal detector at the airport or during any other type of security check.
It depends. Most full-mouth dental implants are done using prosthetics that replace the full arch of teeth, meaning that there is no need to floss between them. You can use a water flosser to easily floss the area between the implants and your natural gums. You can use the same method to floss between multiple implants on the same arch, but it will take longer.
No, getting dental implants will not cause tinnitus. However, you may experience temporary tinnitus after getting the implants surgically placed. This is because the strong vibrations of the dental equipment required to perform the surgery may irritate the sensitive bones and tissues inside your ears.
In some cases, yes. People who receive full arch implants often see a big difference in their face shape because their facial structure is now supported by the implants and their bite. The same is true for people who have experienced significant bone loss or who have worn dentures for a long time. Getting implants can fill out the collapsed parts of the face and improve the contours of your cheeks and jawline. However, single-tooth implants will usually not significantly affect your face shape.
Possibly, depending on your medical history. Some people take prescription medications for osteoporosis that make the implant placement procedure riskier. If you have this disease, contact your dentist and ask them if you would be a good candidate for Implants.
Yes. Dental implants are made from titanium, a lightweight but extremely durable metal. Titanium can easily withstand the pressure changes you might experience during scuba diving.
Yes, as long as they take precautions to keep their implants safe while they are playing. Much like they may damage natural teeth, repeated mouth injuries can cause a dental implant to fail. Athletes with implants should wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports to keep their implants intact. They should also refrain from playing until the implants are fully healed and integrated into their bone.
No. Dental implants do not have any nerves inside them, so they cannot transmit sensations of heat, cold, or pain. The materials they are made from are also very resistant to heat and cold, making it difficult for extreme temperatures to travel from the implants to a nerve.
Yes, some dental implants do have fake gums attached to them. This is more common for full arch Implants than single implants. Attaching the fake gums to the implants allows for a more natural-looking result.
No. People who have full-mouth dental Implants have no remaining natural teeth. Since root canals are done to remove an infection in a natural tooth, it is impossible for a person with no teeth left to need one.
Possibly, yes. Any dental prosthetic may change the sound of your speaking or singing voice. However, implants are more likely to help you sing more clearly and easily than they are to hinder your performance. Having an implant placed to close a gap in your teeth gives your tongue something to make contact with when pronouncing words, a function that is vital to clear speech.
Depending on how severe your oral health problems were previously, getting dental implants may significantly improve your sense of smell and taste. This is because removing decaying teeth or bulky dentures allows periodontal disease to clear up and removes any barriers between your food and your taste buds.
No, dental implants placed by a qualified and experienced dentist will not affect your vision. While these implants are placed very close to the nerves around your cheekbones, they will not disturb these nerves if they are properly placed.
There is no need to worry about getting a dental implant to replace a missing tooth; countless Canadians have already done it and are very happy with the outcome. If you are ready to join them, contact Trillium Smile Dentistry today. Our dental clinic is one of Mississauga residents’ top choices for dental implants. Book your appointment now, and let us show you how easy it can be to get beautiful tooth implants that will last a lifetime.
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While adult teeth can last a lifetime, many Canadians will lose at least one to injury, decay, gum disease, or oral health problems. In addition to the mental distress it causes, this loss can have significant health impacts too. Fortunately, modern dentistry has come up with several excellent solutions to replace a missing tooth. Today, we will examine some of these problems and solutions in further detail to help you decide how to handle your missing tooth troubles.
Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic problem. People who lose a tooth are at risk for many secondary issues that can be devastating to their physical and emotional health.
Teeth are held in position partly by the presence of the other teeth around them. If one of them is missing, the teeth around it can begin to drift out of alignment. Opposing teeth that no longer have the steady pressure of their counterpart to keep them from pushing out of the gums may over-erupt and leave you with one tooth that is significantly longer than all the rest. Teeth can even tilt sideways into the gap, making it impossible to chew with them.
Your jawbone relies on stimulation and feedback from your teeth to remain healthy. When a tooth is missing, the bone below the tooth does not get this feedback. This can cause it to begin deteriorating below the gumline. Eventually, this bone loss can become so severe that the teeth around it could become unstable. It can also make it more difficult to replace those missing teeth with prosthetics, although this can usually be fixed with a bone graft.
The main purpose of teeth is to help you chew your food properly. If one or more are missing, the others will have to work harder to make up for the loss. You will not be able to chew properly in the area with the missing tooth and will have to shift food around in your mouth to avoid it. You may also not be able to eat hard or chewy foods like crusty bread and steak.
Teeth also serve a function in speech. Your tongue makes contact with them in order to produce certain sounds. If you are missing teeth, it may be difficult for you to speak clearly enough to be understood. You may also produce a whistling sound when you speak.
Tooth loss leads to bone loss, and bone loss changes the shape of your face. Although the changes usually do not become visible for many years, bone degradation will eventually cause you to lose much of the definition of your jaw. It can also make your cheeks look sunken and cause premature wrinkling around the lips.
Having a visible missing tooth can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem. You may feel too self-conscious to smile and laugh freely or even to eat or speak around other people. This can lead to intense loneliness and feelings of isolation.
You do not have to suffer the negative effects of a missing tooth. There are many dental prosthetics available, and many of them are nearly impossible to distinguish from a real tooth.
Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that are anchored by a screw that has been surgically implanted in your jawbone.
It takes several months to receive an implant, making it a sub-optimal choice for people who need a more immediate solution. Implants are also costly and may be out of some people’s budgets.
On the other hand, implants also offer exceptional aesthetics and utility. They look, feel, and function almost exactly like a natural tooth. They are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement prosthetics and are always worth considering if you are healthy enough to undergo the placement process.
Tooth-supported bridges are bridges that are anchored by the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. They can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth at a time.
Tooth-supported bridges offer very good aesthetic results. They are also less invasive and more affordable than implants. However, they do have some downsides.
Tooth-supported bridges require your abutment teeth to be filed down to accommodate the bridge, sacrificing healthy tooth enamel that you could have kept for many years. This may damage the teeth and make them more susceptible to decay under the crowns. Food may also become trapped under the bridge, leading to gum irritation in the affected spots.
Implant-supported bridges are attached to implant screws instead of abutment teeth. They offer all of the same benefits that dental implants do but can be used to replace several missing teeth in a row.
Implant-supported bridges look like natural teeth and are easy to chew and speak with. They can also be expensive and require many appointments to place the implant screws and install the crowns.
Removable partial dentures are thin plates of plastic with false teeth attached to them. They are worn inside your mouth so that the false teeth fill in the gaps in your arch. You can remove them at any time.
These prosthetics are minimally invasive and can be used to replace several teeth at once. They are also affordable and easy to repair or replace.
Unfortunately, removable partial dentures can be uncomfortable to wear. They have little to anchor them in your mouth, so they may slip and slide around while you are wearing them. They are bulky and may make it difficult for you to speak and chew naturally. They also need to be removed and cleaned every night, adding additional maintenance to your dental routine.
Flippers are prosthetics similar to removable partial dentures. They have no metal clasps to help anchor them and can flip into and out of place in your mouth.
Flippers are very light and relatively inexpensive, making them an excellent temporary missing tooth replacement. However, they are not made to serve as a permanent replacement for a tooth. They can be uncomfortable to wear and will break much more quickly than a professionally made prosthetic.
If you are ready to replace your missing tooth, you will need to get in touch with a skilled dentist by contacting Trillium Smile Dentistry. We work with patients who are missing teeth all the time, and we have helped them restore their smiles with gorgeous prosthetics that provide superior aesthetics and function. Let us help you feel proud to smile again.
Many people who are thinking about getting dental implants feel apprehensive about the process. With so many unknowns to contend with, this is no surprise. Learning more about dental implants and the procedure needed to place them can put your mind at ease and help you discover if they are right for you.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about dental implants, including who can get them, which types of implants exist, and what you need to do to prepare for the procedure.
Most people can get dental implants to replace a missing tooth, but not everyone can safely undergo the procedure. The best candidates:
If you do not meet these requirements but still want to receive an implant, talk to your dentist. They can help you take steps toward becoming a good implant candidate in the future.
Endosteal implants are implants that are anchored to the jawbone using a titanium screw. These are the most common type of implants due to the many benefits they offer. Not only does anchoring the implant to your jaw offer better comfort and functionality, but it also provides stimulation to the jawbone to prevent future bone loss.
Subperiosteal implants are very similar to endosteal implants, but the screw that holds them up is placed just under the gums instead of inside the jawbone.
These types of implants can provide passable results, but they are not nearly as stable or functional as endosteal implants. Their main benefit is that patients can receive them even with advanced bone loss.
Many dentists do not perform subperiosteal implants except in rare circumstances. Ideally, people who do not have enough jawbone for an endosteal implant should be given a bone graft to correct this problem. If this is not possible, a subperiosteal implant may be an option.
Single stage implants are placed in a single surgical appointment. A long implant screw is inserted into the jawbone and left exposed above the gumline. Then, the patient is given time to heal. Once they are fully healed a few months later, the implant is attached to the exposed part of the screw.
Two stage implants are placed in two surgical appointments. During the first, the dentist installs the main part of the implant screw in the jawbone. The top of this screw will be covered by the patient’s gums during the healing process. The second appointment removes the gum in this area and places a connecting piece that will hold the implant crown. This procedure is more complex than single stage implants, but it offers a better fusion of screw and jawbone.
Titanium dental implants are the most common type of implant. This is because titanium is highly biocompatible and allows bone to grow around it, making it easier for it to fuse properly with your jawbone. Many modern titanium dental implants are actually made from titanium alloy, making them safer for people who are allergic to pure titanium.
Zirconia dental implants are made from the same material as many dental bridges and crowns. This material has not been used for implants for very long, so it lacks the same scientific support as titanium. Dentists have observed that it is more brittle than titanium but integrates almost as well with human bone. It is also rust-resistant and light-coloured, making it the superior aesthetic choice.
Some potential issues that may arise during the dental implant procedure include:
Before receiving a dental implant, you will need to:
After the procedure, you will likely feel tired as the anesthesia begins to wear off. After this, you will feel some discomfort that you can manage by taking your prescribed pain medication. You may experience mild swelling, bruising, and bleeding during the healing process.
A few months later, you will need a second surgery to attach the implant’s connector hardware. This time, the dentist will open your gums and place the connector above your gumline. Once this heals, you will receive your implant crown, and the procedure will be over.
Before your surgery, you will need to:
Getting dental implants in Mississauga is much easier than many people think, so what are you waiting for? Call Trillium Smile Dentistry today. Our expert staff and glowing reviews make us a top choice for people searching for dental implants near where they live. Contact us to book an appointment or receive more information on the procedure, the cost, or anything else you would like to know.
Dental implants are a most popular tooth replacement options available today. However, there are still many myths surrounding them that make some people hesitant to consider getting them. If you are looking to replace one or more missing teeth, it is important to separate fact from fiction regarding these incredible prosthetics. To help you do so, we have assembled a list of 15 of the top myths we have heard about dental implants and the procedure required to get them.
It is true that dental implants offer stunning aesthetics, but this is not the only benefit they provide. They are considered the number one tooth replacement option due to the way they anchor directly to your jawbone, just like a natural tooth would. This allows them to stimulate the jawbone during chewing and speaking activities and helps prevent the devastating bone loss that would usually happen after a tooth is lost.
Dental implants may not be made of organic tooth material, but they look just like real teeth regardless. In many cases, dental implants actually look better than the tooth they are replacing. Gleaming white porcelain implants are especially beautiful and convincing-looking.
Tooth implants can be used to replace a single tooth or all your teeth – whatever you need. You can even replace a single-tooth implant crown with a multi-tooth implant bridge later on if the need arises. You may need to have additional implants placed to support larger bridges.
People of all ages can get dental implants. All you need is enough dense jawbone to anchor the titanium screws that will support the implants. Elderly people are actually less likely to have enough jawbone to support the implant procedure, but bone grafts can be applied to make them better candidates for the surgery.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that fuses into your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Because of this, they are able to provide very similar strength and function to natural teeth. You should be able to enjoy all of your favourite foods with an implant, even hard or chewy items.
Tooth implant surgery has a very high success rate. Some people are not ideal candidates for tooth implants and would be more likely to have their implants fail, but these people are usually not approved for the process in the first place. Your dentist will tell you if implants are a viable choice for you and suggest things you can do to make yourself a better candidate, such as quitting smoking.
Getting dental implants does require oral surgery, but the process is relatively easy and painless for most people. You will be given anesthesia during the surgery and pain medication afterwards to control your discomfort. Most people return to their usual activities in just 2-3 days.
Dental implants do not need any special care. If you brush and floss regularly and attend regular dental appointments, your implants should last for decades without any problems. You may eventually need to replace the crown that sits on top of your implant, but you will not need to undergo another tooth implant procedure to do this.
Tooth implants are among the more expensive options for tooth replacement, but many patients do not realize that they may not have to pay the full cost all at once. Your dentist likely offers some form of financing to help patients who cannot afford to pay for their care immediately. Your dental insurance or HSA may also cover some or all of your tooth implant costs.
Dental implants restore your smile, self-confidence, and dental function. They make it possible for you to live life the way you did before you lost your teeth. Many patients say that getting implants was one of the best decisions they ever made.
Dental implants have more than 70 years of clinical research behind them and are proven to be extremely safe and effective. Millions of people have received implants and are very happy with the results. Some of them have had their implants for several decades without any problems.
While you will not be fully recovered for many months after your surgery, the procedure is often completed in one day. You will feel no pain after a few days. The only exception to this is when you need bone grafts to support the implant screws. The grafting process will need to be completed several months before your surgery can begin, lengthening the process.
Tooth implants are an excellent tooth replacement for people of all ages. Older people who have suffered some bone loss may need bone grafts to support the implant screws properly, but they can safely undergo implant surgery once they receive those grafts.
Tooth implants are very discreet. With the screw hidden below your gums and capped by a gleaming high-quality porcelain crown, your implant will look just like any other tooth in your mouth. Most people will never know that an implant is not a real tooth unless they are told this is the case.
Like any surgery, tooth implant surgery does involve some level of risk. However, very few people experience complications during or after this procedure. If tooth implant surgery might be especially risky for you, your dentist will warn you that you may not be a good candidate for the procedure.
It is normal to be apprehensive about making big permanent changes to your body, but getting dental implants could make a drastic positive difference in your life. Our staff at Trillium Smile Dentistry will make sure you have a comfortable experience before, during, and after your dental implant procedure. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or online to book your first appointment and discuss all of your implant needs and concerns.
Tooth loss is an extremely common dental problem for Canadians, especially older individuals. Unfortunately, this loss can lead to many other problems, including difficulty speaking and eating as well as low self-esteem.
A dental bridge is a versatile, visually impressive, and cost-effective solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. Our guide to dental bridges will tell you everything you need to know, including whether you might benefit from getting one.
Dental bridges are dental prostheses that are used to disguise missing teeth in a person’s mouth.
Dental bridges look like small rows of false teeth. They may be made from porcelain, ceramic fused to metal, or other materials. The teeth on each end of the row are hollow and resemble dental crowns. These false teeth are called retainers and are fitted over your natural teeth to keep the bridge in place. The teeth they are fitted to are called abutment teeth.
The teeth in between the retainers are solid and do not connect to the teeth or gums below them. These teeth are called pontics. Depending on your needs, there may be just one false tooth on your bridge’s pontic or many.
A permanent dental bridge is almost indistinguishable from the teeth around it. It should fit into your natural alignment and look just like the teeth it has covered and replaced, matching their colour, shape, and other attributes.
Most people will never know that a bridge is not a real row of teeth unless you tell them. You can smile with confidence and trust your bridge to help you make a winning first impression.
Dental bridges are never necessary, but they can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. Using them to replace lost teeth allows you to speak and chew the way you did before those teeth were missing. They may also boost your self-confidence and help you feel at ease when smiling and laughing.
Bridges are particularly recommended for people who are not good candidates for implants due to gum disease, bone loss, and other problems. A bridge helps these people regain some lost aesthetics and function without compromising their dental or overall health.
Your dentist may also recommend a bridge if you have teeth on either side of your missing tooth that would benefit from being crowned. By choosing a bridge, you can protect those weaker teeth while also replacing the missing one.
When looking to get a bridge, there are four main types.
Getting a dental bridge often involves two steps.
The procedure for implant-supported bridges is a bit different. Instead of getting your teeth prepared for placement, you will need to undergo implant placement surgery. Once your new implants have healed, your bridge can be attached to the screws. This process usually takes a few months from start to finish.
You can avoid dental bridge problems by:
Dental bridges and implants are both possible options for replacing a missing tooth. Which is better? This depends on your needs.
Dental bridge costs vary depending on your dentist, the materials used, and the type of bridge you select. Maryland bridges are typically the most affordable, while implant-supported bridges are the most expensive. Ask your dentist about the different dental bridges and how much each option might cost you. They will be happy to help you fit the cost of this treatment into your budget.
If you are interested in replacing one or more missing teeth, Trillium Smile Dentistry can help. Let our experienced team install a beautiful new dental bridge or implants that will restore your dental functions and your confidence. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or online to request your first appointment and get the process started.
If you have one or more missing teeth, you have a choice to make. Do you want implants or dentures? While other tooth replacement options like dental bridges exist, these two dental prosthetics are the most versatile and the most used.
There are many similarities between these two types of prosthetics, but most patients will prefer one based on cost, comfort, the health of their jawbone, and other important factors. Our guide will help you decide which of these two options is the best choice to replace your missing tooth.
It can be hard to choose between dentures and implants because they serve the same purposes. Both work to:
However, there are significant differences between implants and dentures regarding the procedure, maintenance, and how well they perform these functions.
To receive a dental implant, you will need to have a small titanium screw surgically inserted into your jawbone. This screw anchors the implant and allows it to mimic the function of a real tooth exceptionally well. You will need to recover from this surgery before the implant crown can be placed to complete the prosthetic. Depending on the state of your jawbone, you may also need a bone graft before the tooth implant procedure can begin.
After the screw has been implanted in your jaw and your bone has had a few weeks to heal around it, your dentist will place your custom-made crown on top of the screw. This crown is usually made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal and will look and function just like a real tooth.
Getting dentures made is a much less invasive process. First, your dentist will study your bite and the alignment of your teeth in the area where you are missing teeth. They may also take impressions of the site to help them make a prosthesis tailored to your unique dental arrangement. They will then create a design for your dentures and send them off to a lab for fabrication.
This first set of dentures is only temporary and will be made with lower-quality materials than your final set. Its purpose is to give your dentist a chance to make adjustments to their design based on real-world feedback. Your dentist will examine your temporary dentures and mark any places where the length or alignment of the teeth must be changed. They will then send the final design out for fabrication. You will usually receive your completed permanent dentures a few weeks later.
Caring for dental implants is easy: just follow your usual oral health routine. This will keep the area around the implant clean and prevent the bone beneath it from degrading due to gum disease.
Dentures require more daily care. Ideally, you should rinse your dentures every time you eat. You must also clean your mouth with a soft toothbrush or wet cloth at least once a day and soak your dentures in a cleaning solution overnight.
Dentures also need to be refitted periodically to accommodate changes in your bite and jawbone. On the other hand, implants only need to be replaced if they crack or break, which rarely happens.
There are four primary factors to consider when deciding between Implants and dentures.
The younger you are, the longer you will be using the dental prosthetic you choose. Therefore, it makes sense to choose dental implants over dentures, even with their associated surgeries and higher cost.
You cannot receive dental implants if you do not have enough healthy jawbone to anchor the implant screws. It is possible to graft some extra bone to the implant site to strengthen it, but dentures might be a better fit for you if you have lost a significant amount of bone due to age, gum disease, tooth loss, or other factors.
While dentures are a serviceable replacement for lost teeth, there is no question that tooth implants are superior in terms of comfort and function. However, implant-supported dentures can provide a good middle ground between the two. Think about how important it is to you that your replacement tooth looks and feels like a natural tooth. If this matters to you, it is strongly recommended that you choose implants over dentures.
Wearing dentures requires diligent home care and excellent oral hygiene. If you are not prepared to thoroughly clean your mouth and dentures several times a day, implants may be a better option. While you still need to brush and floss around them to keep the area free of gum disease, they typically require much less maintenance than dentures do.
Both implants and dentures are excellent choices for replacing your missing teeth. Ask your dentist which of these two options they would recommend as they have a detailed understanding of your oral health status and may bring up points that you had not considered.
Whichever dental prostheses you choose will be with you for many years. Choose a dental office that can give you confidence in your decision and craft a long-lasting, lifelike tooth replacement that you will love. Our staff at Trillium Smile Dentistry will guide you through this process and ensure that you end up with a prosthetic you are happy with. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or fill out our online appointment request form to inquire about denture or tooth implant costs or seek expert advice to help you make this critical dental decision.
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Tooth loss is a common dental condition seen among patients. Losing a tooth to injury, gum disease, or decay can impact your facial appearance and compromise your ability to speak and chew normally. Many people who have lost a tooth worry about it constantly and become self-conscious, afraid to let anyone see the gap in their smile.
Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth and correct these problems. Many patients report that getting dental implants has had a significant impact on their quality of life. Some forget that they were ever missing a tooth in the first place. Our guide will teach you everything you need to know about dental implants, including what they do, how they are placed, and why they are the right choice to replace your missing tooth.