Your Hamilton Invisalign® Provider
At Downtown Dental of Hamilton, our dentists may recommend a dental implant to replace a missing tooth to leave you with a natural-looking smile.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that works in the same way as a natural tooth root. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth or a group of missing teeth.
The implant is inserted directly into the jaw bone, where it bonds with the natural bone to act as an anchor for a tooth replacement.
Dental implants can help prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting, solve bite problems, ease jaw joint pain, and restore facial tissue appearance.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift out of place. The jaw bone surrounding the area may also begin to deteriorate, causing facial collapse or impairing your ability to eat and speak.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant procedure requires a dental implant (titanium screw) and a tooth replacement.
Your dentist will begin by surgically inserting the implant beneath the gum tissue into your jaw bone. The implant will bond with the bone and attach to the gum as the tissue heals.
Patients return to our office to complete the procedure once the healing is complete, which is usually 3 to 6 months after surgery.
At this final appointment, your dentist will attach a tooth replacement to the implant, such as a dental crown, bridge, or denture, to mimic the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Dental Implant FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Downtown Dental of Hamilton.
- How long does a dental implant last?
If you take proper care of your implant, it can last a lifetime. This includes brushing and flossing properly at home, as well as visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.
Other factors that may affect the longevity of a dental implant include nutrition, genetics, and the development of any dental diseases.
- How do I care for my dental implants?
You should care for a dental implant just like you care for your natural teeth.
Maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home, and visiting your dentist for regular appointments, can help prevent decay or diseases from developing in the surrounding teeth and gums, which can negatively affect your dental implants.
- Does getting a dental implant hurt?
During dental implant surgery, your dentist will give you anaesthesia to make you comfortable so that you don't feel any pain.
There is usually little discomfort afterwards. For a few days following, most patients can manage any pain with over-the-counter pain medication.
To avoid pain or irritation, you will need to eat a soft diet for the first few weeks after the implant procedure.
- How long does the dental implant process take?
Depending on your treatment plan, the entire dental implant procedure usually takes between two and nine months to complete.
Your dentist can provide you with a more specific timeline based on your particular case.
- Will my insurance cover dental implants?
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of dental implants, while others will only cover a portion of the cost. Still, some others will not cover any of it at all.
Check with your insurance provider to see what portion, if any, of your dental implant treatment will be covered.