DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants have proven to be an excellent option for many people who need to replace teeth.
Introduced in the 1960s, implants today have a ten-year success rate of over 95%. Most medical procedures are considered viable and successful if they have a success rate of 70%. This makes dental implants one of the most predictable and successful procedures today, especially when performed by an experienced dentist.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a Dentist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!
IMPLANT QUESTIONS
An implant mimics the root of a tooth and supports a replacement tooth. They are made of titanium, a metal that is not rejected by the body. Your bone will bond to the implant (termed osseointegration) and after healing your restorative dentist will place the implant supported tooth.
Who is a candidate for implant placement?
This is a healthy person without gum disease and with enough bone for implant placement -assessed by special radiographs.
How do we do the surgery?
The prescribed antibiotics should be started one day before the surgery and the course must be completed. The surgery is done painlessly with local anesthetic. A site is prepared in the bone where the implant is to be placed. The surgical site is closed with sutures. Depending on the type of implant, a second minor surgery may be required.
What happens after surgery?
A soft diet is recommended and usually there is only minor discomfort associated with this procedure. In any case, you will be prescribed appropriate pain medication. If you have a denture, you will be given special instructions. You will be seen for 3 post-operative appointments:
- The first appointment will be 1 week after surgery to check healing and remove sutures.
- The second appointment will be 3-4 months after surgery to verify clinically and radiographically that the implant has integrated with the bone.
- The third appointment will be after your dentist has placed the tooth. We will make a final assessment of healing and review oral hygiene particularly around the new implant supported tooth.
Your dentist will then see you for recall appointments every three months. There is more information about this procedure on your accompanying post-operative instructions and consent to treatment form.
The prescribed antibiotic should be started one day before surgery and the course must be completed.
Discomfort
There should be minimal discomfort following implant placement. Ibuprophen (600mg) every 4-6 hours and extra strength Tylenol are usually sufficient.
Swelling
Ice packs should be used immediately after the surgery to avoid swelling. A cold pack (ice or frozen vegetables) can be used on the side of the face for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first twelve hours following surgery.
Bleeding
It is not unusual to have some slight bleeding. If the site continues to bleed, bite on a piece of sterile gauze for twenty minutes. Bleeding can be avoided by keeping your head elevated during the first evening, discontinuing your usual exercise regime for 1-2 days, restricting yourself to a soft diet and by avoiding smoking, which also delays healing and irritates tissues.
Oral Hygiene
After surgery, it is important to keep your teeth and mouth as clean as possible. The prescribed antibacterial rinse is to be used twice a day for 4 days after the surgery and then applied only locally with a Q-tip. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp in warm water) can be used several times a day. During the first week, the non-treated areas should be brushed normally.
Post-Operative Appointments
If you are wearing partial dentures, Dr. Dean usually needs to make adjustments.
You will be seen for two post-op appointments. The first follow up appointment will be the 1st week after the surgery to check healing and remove sutures. The 2nd appointment will be 3-4 months after the surgery to verify clinically and radiographically that the implant has integrated with the bone. At this time, your dentist will be notified that you can proceed with the restorative phase of the treatment. If necessary, an implant maintenance program with our office will be reviewed.
Dr.Dean should see you every three months for maintenance.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Tuesday: 10am - 8pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday: 8am - 2pm
Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm (Alternating)
Sunday: CLOSED
ARRANGE A CONSULTATION!
Please fill out the form below and a member of our staff will contact you to arrange your appointment.
CONTACT INFO
We're conveniently located at:
Unit B8-130 Hollidge Blvd
Aurora, ON,L4G 8A3
Phone: 905.841.8008
Email: info@hollidgedentistry.com