Dental implants are a necessary and key component of general dentistry and overall dental health for those who may be missing teeth for one reason or another. Therefore it is crucial to discuss different aspects of dental implants, including how far the actual procedure has developed today. This guide by Dr. Alavi will inform you what dental implants are and the various aspects of a dental implant procedure that are important to know if you ever plan to get one.
Table of Contents
- What are Dental Implants?
- What Happens During a Dental Implant Session?
- Different Types of Dental Implants Procedures
- When Should I Get a Dental Implant?
- How Can I Schedule a Dental Implant Procedure?
- Why Choose Dentistry on King for Dental Implants?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are essentially artificial crowns and roots that are inserted at the base of wherever the tooth in question is missing. Your dental team at Dentists on King uses the latest implant techniques to ensure a straightforward and healthy tooth implant.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants differ from other notable tooth replacement systems like bridges and dentures, as they essentially stand independently and join together with the jawbone in a natural way. Not only that, but the new implant often builds stronger around the bone through a process called osseointegration. This process ensures that the new implant slowly becomes a permanent part of the mouth, often becoming an even stronger tooth than other non-implants.
Dental implants essentially help you preserve your natural bite without affecting the rest of your teeth’s alignment (as the implanted tooth is inserted independently). Most modern dentists have opted for these newer dental implant procedures as they generally provide the best quality and longevity for a tooth replacement.
Risks of Dental Implants
Like any surgical procedure, dental implants carry the standard set of risks that may occur when the procedure is done improperly. These can include infections due to non-sterilized equipment, injury to surrounding structures, and possible nerve damage.
The team of specialists at Dentists on King is fully trained with the proper equipment checked daily to ensure all our dental procedures are done with the utmost care and attention, including our regular dental implant sessions.
What Happens During a Dental Implant Session?
A dental implant is essentially made up of two parts: the crown and the root. The root of the implant resembles a screw-like design, often being made out of surgical-grade metals like titanium. The crown is what would be visible on top of the root, essentially a copy of your missing tooth or one that is designed at our office to better replicate a healthy tooth in place of the missing one.
As for the procedure itself, the entire process is extremely straightforward and will only usually require localized anesthesia, though sedation and general anesthesia can be used if they are deemed necessary. While the exact methods and steps for a dental implant procedure will differ from individual to individual, the general flow to get a dental implant is as follows.
Pre-Surgical Procedure
- Comprehensive dental exam to correctly identify specific problem points as well as the proper procedures that need to be undertaken to correct them. These exams may include 3D imagery, dental x-rays, and more.
- An additional review of your medical history is done in order to look over any past medical treatments as well as current conditions that may affect the effectiveness of the procedure. This can include information such as current medications being taken, heart conditions, chronic ailments, and more. Some ailments may constitute the attending doctor to prescribe antibiotics to fight off any infections you may be vulnerable with.
- Development of treatment plan based on all the details collected above, which take into account which teeth will be replaced as well as the overall condition of your jawbone for the implant procedure.
Surgical Procedure Proper
- During the first stage of the dental procedure, Dr. Alavi will insert the implant post beneath the gums, connecting it directly to your jawbone. This process can also include the connecting of the abutment, which is the post that connects the root to the final crown.
- A custom-made crown is prepared and connected to the abutment. Multiple visits may be required to have the tooth properly aligned and balanced between the other teeth.
Post-Surgical Procedure
- Regular check-ups will be scheduled throughout the healing process (a few months) in order to ensure proper implanting of the root and connection of the artificial tooth.
- Annual check-ups are highly recommended to monitor the longer-term stability and status of the dental implant.
Different Types of Dental Implants Procedures
Dentistry on King offers three different types of implant procedures using different methods of executing them. Though the general timeline of the procedure usually follows the same steps, the tools and actual implants will differ based on the technology you as the patient will opt towards as well as what the dentist will recommend to you based on your specific clinical situation.
The long-term success of dental implants begins even prior to tooth loss. Once a tooth is determined as hopeless and a dental implant is planned as the replacement option, at Dentistry on King we tackle this scenario in the following ways:
Same-day Implant
Even though implant placement in most circumstances happens after a tooth loss, in the right clinical setting, a hopeless tooth can be extracted and the implant placed at the site at the same time in a single appointment. At Dentistry on King, this is achieved with the advanced in-office crown making machine, CEREC. This will shorten the waiting period before you can have your missing tooth replaced to just one day. To find out if this option is suitable for you, a detailed exam and consultation with Dr. Alavi is required. You can contact us to book a consultation appointment.
Multi-visit Implant
In certain clinical situations, the best option for you is to have a hopeless tooth extracted, the site fully healed and then an implant placed. At Dentistry on King, utilizing advanced surgical tools we ensure the extraction is done in the most conservative way. This allows for minimal bone loss post-extraction which is crucial for long-term implant success. If it is decided that bone is necessary, a socket preservation procedure will be done at the time of extraction where the bone is added to the site so that the foundation is ready for the optimal placement of implants.
Guided Implant Surgery
At Dentistry on King, every implant is placed using guided surgery. Surgical guides are made in-house with our own 3D printing technology. Why is this important? Because the use of surgical guides allows for the most accurate and safe placement of dental implants. This technology relies on the digital impression obtained at our office using 3D scanners during the first appointment. Then this information is combined with the 3D x-ray called CBCT using advanced dental software. The result allows for the design and fabrication of a surgical guide. With the surgical guide, the dental implant will be placed in its most ideal location with respect to the adjacent teeth, lip and tongue. Moreover, any potential damage to structures like nerves, the floor of the sinus, and the floor of the nose is prevented.
Zirconia Implant
Zirconia-based implants are also offered for our patients who request a non-metal-based implant procedure. Instead of opting for metal bonded materials, Zirconia-based implants make use of zirconium dioxide, a very strong and durable ceramic material.
When Should I Get a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are highly recommended for those who are missing a tooth or even a certain set of teeth. While you can opt for bridges that use adjacent teeth as anchor points or dentures which are essentially removable artificial teeth, dental implants remain one of the most modern, cost-effective, and permanent ways to gain back your teeth in a natural and healthy way.
While some individuals who have missing teeth often overlook the importance of having a full set of teeth, the underlying effects this can have on your overall oral health is something you need to pay full attention to.
Bone Loss
Your bones play an active part in maintaining the overall health of your body, so naturally, you engage in regular physical activity to keep your muscles dense and sturdy through regular stimuli. A loss of a tooth causes a point in your jawbone to suddenly lose that regular stimulus source, causing it to lose some of its density in that specific area and grow weaker over time.
Risk of Disease
Waiting too long to replace a missing tooth significantly increases the risk of gum disease occurs, which has been a major player in the proliferation of other major diseases like heart ailments and diabetes due to a compromised immune system.
Risk of More Tooth Loss
A single tooth loss can often lead to a domino effect of affecting all the rest of the adjacent teeth to it, especially if there was a gum issue where you lost your tooth in the first place. A missing tooth essentially throws off all your other teeth as well, causing some teeth to follow suit in falling out.
Uneven Teeth
Speaking of a missing tooth’s effect on other teeth, a missing tooth will gradually throw off the alignment of your other teeth as well. This can lead to issues such as misaligned gaps and potential underbites/overbites.
Bite Problems
If your teeth start shifting due to missing teeth, you can begin to develop other bite problems common with misaligned teeth such as teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, or jaw disorders such as the TMJ disorder. A myriad of different ailments can occur from these bite problems such as reduced enamel, tension headaches, tooth sensitivity, and more.
How Can I Schedule a Dental Implant Procedure?
You can easily set an appointment for your dental implant procedure with Dr. Alavi at Dentistry on King by filling up our Appointment Request form, where you will be asked for your full name, email address, phone number, the reason for visit, as well as the preferred time of appointment. Alternatively, you may contact our clinic via phone at 416-368-8000.
Why Choose Dentistry on King for Dental Implants?
Dentistry on King’s principal dentist, Dr. Mahan Alavi performs a comprehensive evaluation of your overall health, dental health, as well as bone structure for the needed dental implant. Dr. Alavi is the principal dentist at Dentistry on King – a well-established Dental Clinic in downtown Toronto since the late 90s. Dr. Alavi’s patient-centred approach is one of the primary reasons many patients choose Dentistry on King for their dental services in the core of downtown Toronto. We are a full-service dental office offering a wide range of dental services including general, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry allowing patients to receive comprehensive dental care in a central downtown location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of getting dental implants?
Dental implants are one of the most popular permanent restoration procedures for missing teeth available in modern dentistry today. The implant posts are made of surgical titanium that is biocompatible so they will not be rejected by your body. Over time the implant is incorporated into your bone structure making it a close alternative to the natural tooth structure. In terms of durability and functionality, dental implants have become a reliable and time-tested choice for patients.
Will my insurance cover dental implants?
While many insurance plans differ on coverage, one benefit of dental implants is that they are usually a single-time cost service, meaning they will rarely need you to pay recurring fees for the maintenance of your dental implant. You can refer to your insurance coverage details to determine the percentage of the procedure that is covered by them. Reach out to us at Dentistry on King to figure out the best dental implant procedure for you matching your needs and budget. We can also submit a predetermination request to your insurance provider for a more accurate estimate of the cost of the procedure.
Where is your clinic located?
Dentistry on King is located in Downtown Toronto at the intersection of Yonge and King. Our address is 5 King St. East, Unit C, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3C6. Our office is accessible via TTC as we are right above King Subway Station. Alternatively, you can also reach us by streetcar by taking Line 504 King, getting off at the first King Street East stop. Those driving can utilize the nearest street parking on Victoria St. or at underground parking at 1 Toronto Street, a paid underground parking area 2 minutes away from the clinic.
