DENTAL IMPLANTS

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a screw-like anchor that is used to replace the roots of natural teeth. The implant is made of materials compatible with the human body, like titanium, and they have been used for decades by dentists in various upper and lower jaw procedures. By attaching permanently to the jawbone and gum tissue, dental implants are able to provide a stable foundation for artificial teeth which include dental crowns, bridges or dentures.

Once dental implants have healed in place, dentures or natural tooth coloured crowns may be attached to them. They represent an ideal solution for replacing missing teeth, as they will yield a final result similar to your natural teeth. Dental implants are a safe alternative treatment to bridges or conventional dentures.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or several teeth or to support partial or full dentures. When dentures are held in place by implants they do not slip around and when crowns are fitted on implants, they act like normal teeth. Implants do not require any adhesives to hold them in place, empower patients with natural-looking restorative options and are ideal for replacing missing or badly diseased teeth.

Benefits of dental implants

  • Last a lifetime
  • Do not restrict eating or drinking
  • Similar to natural teeth
  • Preserve the jawbone
  • Avoid cumbersome dentures

How does a dental implant work?

A dental implant is the best option to replace one or multiple missing teeth. As mentioned above, it is a substitute for the root of a natural tooth and serves as foundation for different types of reconstructions.

A dental implant is made of 2 structural parts and the final reconstruction:

First part: The implant

A titanium screw is inserted surgically into the jaw bone. When this first part of the dental implant has healed and fused with the jawbone, the second part (the abutment) can be connected.

Second part: The abutment

The abutment fits directly into the implant and passes through the gum to form the link between the implant and a crown, a bridge or even a denture.

Final reconstruction: The crown

This is the part of the tooth that you see. It’s usually made of zirconium or porcelain for durability and good esthetics.

The dental implant procedure

The number of appointments and time required to complete successfully the procedure will vary from patient to patient.

First, in the dental implant process, Dr. El-Hakim or Dr. Makhoul will carefully examine your mouth and take the necessary x-rays of your jaw and teeth to find out if dental implants are right for you and determine whether there is enough bone to support the implant.

When there is not enough bone to place a dental implant, a bone grafting procedure is usually performed. The process involves the introduction of grafting material that is set in place to stimulate the growth of new bone over the next several months.

Do I need a bone graft?

If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent supporting bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink since the root of your natural tooth has not been present to stimulate bone growth.

After years of missing a tooth, the jaw bone may not be suitable to place a dental implant without additional procedures such as bone grafting. You may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area as this will ensure your future implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in your jaw. The procedure, if necessary, will be discussed with you during your consultation, and often a 3-dimensional bone scan will be done to determine whether your jaw bone is suitable or not for an implant.

Once the jawbone is rehabilitated, M3L surgeons perform dental implant surgery right here in our office. The procedure to place a dental implant usually takes around 30 minutes for one implant.

During the procedure, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area where the dental implant will be placed and a small titanium screw will be inserted into the jawbone. It will then be left to heal for several months.

After the bone has fused with the titanium implant, a connecting piece (“abutment”) is attached to the implant. In some cases, the first and second stages of implant surgery may be done in one single stage.

A temporary crown could be placed over the implant to restore esthetics till the final crown is ready.

You can then visit your dentist to have your final restoration crafted and attached.

When are dental implants placed?

Implants are often placed several months after extraction, but on occasions, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction of a tooth. The procedure is a little more challenging, but it simplifies the process as you won’t have to wait for another appointment to set the implant in place. However, if an infection or any other problem with the bone is present or suspected, immediate implant placement is not the best treatment option. This is something that will be discussed between you and your surgeon during your initial consultation.

Do I need a bone graft?

If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent supporting bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink since the root of your natural tooth has not been present to stimulate bone growth.

After years of missing a tooth, the jaw bone may not be suitable to place a dental implant without additional procedures such as bone grafting. You may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area as this will ensure your future implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in your jaw. The procedure, if necessary, will be discussed with you during your consultation and often a 3-dimensional bone scan will be done to determine whether your jaw bone is suitable or not for an implant.

How many implants do I need?

Most frequently, one implant per missing tooth is placed. Because many of the larger teeth in the back of your jaws have two or three roots, the most common approach is to replace missing back teeth with larger diameter implants. Multiple missing teeth can also be replaced with dental implants enabling patients who previously had removable partial or full dentures to enjoy fixed teeth replacements.

A treatment plan that meets your needs and your exact oral requirements will be devised in partnership between you and the M3L surgical team. You couldn’t ask for a team more trustworthy to help you find a dental implant solution. Contact our M3L office today to set up your consultation.

Call (514) 395-9896 or contact us using our online form.

Implantology and Maxillofacial Surgery Center

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