Your Halifax Invisalign® Provider
Permanently Replace Missing Teeth
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that can be used to restore your smile if you are missing one or more teeth.
Small titanium screws are placed in the jaw bone, under the gums, and function much like a natural tooth root. Once healed, dental implants are coupled with an artificial tooth, such as a crown, bridge or denture to provide you with a natural-looking smile.
This versatile tooth replacement option not only restores your smile's appearance, but it can also help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, resolve bite issues or jaw joint pain, and help restore the natural contour of your jawline.
If you have missing teeth, our dentists in Halifax can work with you to determine whether dental implants are a suitable tooth replacement option for you.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
If a tooth is missing, the teeth surrounding the gap often become loose, shift out of place and cause misalignment issues. The jaw bone surrounding the area can also begin to deteriorate, possibly impacting your appearance as well as your ability to chew effectively and speak clearly.
The Dental Implant Process
Your dentist will begin by surgically placing the implant (a titanium screw) into your jawbone. The implant will attach to your gums and bone as it heals.
After the dental implant has been placed, there will be a waiting period while the incision site properly heals. Once the healing is complete, generally a few months post-surgery, you will return to our office for the next step in the process.
At this appointment, your dentist will attach a tooth replacement to the implant. Depending on your particular case, your tooth replacement may be one or more dental crowns, a bridge, or an implant-supported denture.
Dental Implant FAQs
Are you considering dental implants and want to learn more? Please take a few minutes to read through the answers to our most frequently asked questions about dental implants at Clayton Park Dental.
-
How long does a dental implant last?
When cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime. This includes proper brushing and flossing at home, as well as attending regular hygiene cleanings and exams at your dental office.
How long your dental implants last may also depend on other factors such as nutrition, genetics, or the development of any dental diseases.
-
How do I care for my dental implants?
Caring for dental implants is as simple as caring for your natural teeth.
Visiting your dentist twice yearly for examinations and hygiene appointments, combined with maintaining a proper brushing and flossing routine at home, 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 administer anesthesia to make you comfortable so you won't feel pain during the procedure.
After the implant placement procedure, discomfort is typically minimal. Most patients can manage any pain with an over-the-counter pain medication for a few days after the procedure.
You will also need to eat a soft diet for the first couple of weeks after the implant procedure to avoid pain or irritation.
-
How long does the dental implant process take?
The entire dental implant process can take anywhere from three to nine months to complete, depending on your treatment plan and how long healing takes once the implant has been placed.
Your dentist will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline based on your particular case.
-
Will my insurance cover dental implants?
While some insurance companies will cover the cost of dental implants either in full or a partial amount, others won't pay for any part of it.
You can check with your insurance provider to determine how much of your dental implant treatment will be covered by your insurance.