A dental implant is an artificial titanium root placed in the jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth; a replacement tooth is then fixed to it. It is one of the available options, alongside bridges and dentures. Planning takes into account general health, the tissues and the situation in the mouth.
There are several ways to replace one or more missing teeth. One of them is to use dental implants rather than bridges or partial or complete dentures. Comfortable and natural in appearance, implants replace the missing roots and hold the artificial replacement teeth.
A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium, placed in the jaw to replace the root of a natural tooth. A replacement tooth is then attached to the implant, which acts as the post holding it in place.
Implants may be indicated if you are in good health, your gums are healthy, and the bone base of your jaw is sufficient to support an implant.
When that bone base has decreased or has not developed normally, a bone graft can be performed to rebuild it. The dentist or specialist will tell you whether that option applies to your situation.
As soon as a tooth is missing, or before an extraction when it is already known that the tooth will need replacing: the gap tends to close and the bone around it resorbs over time, which makes what follows more complicated.
The assessment checks general health, gum health and the volume of bone available, and determines whether an implant is indicated in your situation.
The treatment is planned from an exam and imaging, which show the bone volume and the position of nearby structures.
The implant is then placed in the jaw, under anaesthesia. A healing period follows, during which the bone integrates with the implant; how long it takes depends on the site and the person. The crown is attached once that integration has taken place.
The instructions for the first days are those of a surgical procedure: soft food, adapted hygiene around the site, and keeping the follow-up appointments.
Once the crown is in place, an implant needs the same care as a natural tooth, plus regular follow-up: the tissues around an implant can become inflamed just as a gum can, and that is what is monitored at those visits.
A dental implant is the fixed solution for replacing a missing tooth: an artificial titanium root, placed in the jaw, onto which a replacement tooth is fitted. Unlike a bridge, it does not rest on the neighbouring teeth, and unlike a denture, it does not come out. Replacing a missing tooth also keeps the bone from resorbing and the neighbouring teeth from shifting. If there is not enough bone, a bone graft can rebuild it. At our Repentigny clinic — which also welcomes patients from Charlemagne, Le Gardeur and L’Assomption — the assessment and the imaging determine whether an implant is right for you.
The options for replacing a missing tooth.
An extraction may be advised when decay or an infection has destroyed the structure of the tooth or the bone holding it, or when there is not enough room for all the teeth. It is planned after an examination, and the team explains the steps and the instructions to follow afterwards.
Denturology covers removable dental prostheses: complete dentures, partial dentures and dentures retained by implants. A denturologist is part of the team, so a prosthesis can be assessed, adjusted, relined or repaired in the same place as the rest of your care, without being referred elsewhere.
The information presented is general and does not replace an assessment by a professional.
Get in touch with us quickly so that our team can assess the situation and guide you.
