Dental Implants in Mississauga-Are Dental Implants a right fit for me?

Dental Implants in Mississauga-Are Dental Implants a right fit for me?

Most of us are living long and productive lives today, and it is not unusual to lose a tooth or two in this lifetime. Replacing a lost tooth is a complex decision and most people consult with their Mississauga dentist about options for replacement, and most dentists will usually suggest the three main methods, a fixed dental bridge, a removable partial denture or a dental implant solution; previously a fixed bridge was the most popular solution but dental implants are suddenly the hot topic everywhere! From internet discussion forums to your local coffee shop, dental implants are being discussed passionately. So, what are dental implants and what are they used for? Are they expensive? Will an implant last forever in your mouth? Does it hurt? Is it expensive? Dental Implants in Mississauga are provided by many dentists, and although techniques and brand names may vary, the general path and technique for placing and restoring dental implants remain the same.

Read on…

Although dental implants have historical evidence dating back to ancient civilizations in China, India and the Incas, these implants were usually made of conch shell or ivory or animal bone, and did not last many years or provided functional benefit of today’s titanium implants. Modern dental implants are screw-like root form tapering cylinders that are surgically placed into the jawbone by dentists specially trained in dental implants. Modern titanium dental implants were first used in the early 1950’s by a Swedish orthopaedic surgeon Per Ingmar Branemark, and Dr. Leonard Linkow, who used a flat blade design in the jawbone to which he attached ‘crowns’ that worked fine in the mouth for many years. 

After many decades of research and fine tuning, most of today’s dental implants are made of titanium metal alloy, shaped like a tapering cylindrical screw, have threads on the surface and are surgically placed in the jawbone where a tooth is to be replaced. After about 3-4 months, bone grows into the screw threads and the implant is then fused to the patient’s living bone, a process termed “osseointegration”. Very few materials on this planet are so biocompatible, titanium is hence unique in this ability. The patient feels no pain or discomfort during the healing phase or afterwards, once the crown is made to fit over the implant. The dental implant is now considered part of the body, a bionic replacement of the missing tooth root.

Dental Implants in MIssissauga

After 3-4 months of healing, the top of the implant is opened and a custom made ‘abutment’ is then screwed on to the head of the implant. This abutment can be made of titanium also or solid zirconia, a biocompatible yet strong alternative, that is tooth colored. The manufacturing of this custom abutment is as important as the final crown. To the abutment is screwed on a custom-made crown that will provide the function and also looks like a tooth. The whole process from surgery to final crown can take about 3-5 months and is relatively painless yet very predictable in success rates.

If you are a healthy adult above age 19, and are going to lose a permanent tooth for any reason (wisdom teeth are rarely replaced), say a failed Root Canal, a broken tooth that cannot be salvaged, a tooth with a root fracture, tooth lost due to an accident or injury or if you are a senior with dentures that do not fit well despite all remedies, you should consider dental implants as a solution. Dental implants are usually not placed under age 19, as the jawbone is still growing till that age.

As compared to other options, dental implants are relatively expensive because these are made by specialized processes in high precision manufacturing units where the shape and surface treatment is closely monitored and the implants are supplied to licensed dentists pre-sterile and packaged for surgery. Titanium is a hard metal and although not very rare, it is expensive. Medical grade titanium is usually an alloy of Titanium, with traces of aluminium and Niobium. Recently, zirconium-titanium alloy has been used to manufacture dental implants, and full zirconia dental implants are already being made in Europe. Dental implants are highly biocompatible yet strong enough to withstand chewing forces for many decades. 

In Mississauga or Toronto, dental implant treatment is usually a 7-8 appointment process spread over 4 months, and is a team approach process. The fees charged by a dental office include the specialized training, case planning, necessary X-rays and planning moulds, dental implant itself, discussion with the dental lab regarding the final crown, clinical fees, facility fees, sterilization fees, cost of disposables, staff fees, lab fees, price of various components that are part of the final crown, taxes, etc. Most patients realize that the cost of the dental implant is due to the fact that it is a long and complex treatment, that gives a very satisfying result when it is over.

An initial consultation and X-rays are the first step. Next, the dentist assesses the medical health of the patient, then the actual area of the jawbone to ensure there is enough healthy bone to support a viable implant at the site. Occasionally, if the bone is deficient, a bone grafting procedure may be required to augment the deficiency. The implant surgery is usually done in a dental office under local anesthesia and occasionally antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection. Stitches are removed 7-10 days later. Monthly checkups and X-rays are done to ensure healing is uneventful. At the end of 3-4 months, when the implant is integrated with the bone, the top of the implant screw is opened and then a special mold made to copy the exact replica of what is in the mouth. From this exact precise mold, working models are made by the dental team which are then used to fabricate a customized abutment and crown assembly which will fit into the implant and provide years of trouble-free service.

Although a well-integrated implant in the jawbone may last indefinitely, the abutment and crown that screws onto it undergoes aging like everything else in the mouth, and may need to be replaced, say after 10-20 years or even longer. Regardless, most patients who have had dental implants agree that the process is relatively painless, and the appearance and chewing efficiency of dental implants is closest to that of natural teeth. A payment plan makes it painless on your wallet too!

If you feel you or someone you love is a good candidate for a dental implant in Mississauga, please call Applewood Village Dentistry on 905 279 1818 and book your initial consult.