What are Dental Implants?
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A dental implant is a small metal screw designed to replace an entire tooth, functioning just like a natural tooth root. During a minor surgical procedure, the dentist carefully places the implant into the bone beneath your gums, precisely where a tooth would naturally sit. Once securely in place, the implant is finished with a custom restoration, like a dental crown, so it looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth.
Choosing to get a dental implant is a significant decision. You may be considering this option but feel unsure about what to expect. We’ve outlined everything you need to know to help you make an informed choice for your dental health and comfort.
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Why You Might Need Dental Implants
Your natural teeth support the structure and shape of your smile, enabling you to eat and speak with ease. When a tooth is missing, it’s more than just a gap in your smile—your remaining teeth may start to shift out of healthy alignment, increasing the risk of various oral health issues. Losing even one tooth can set off a chain reaction, impacting not only your oral health but also the appearance of your face and overall quality of life.
One unavoidable effect of missing teeth is bone resorption, a process where your body repurposes minerals from non-essential bone tissue. Teeth naturally stimulate the jawbone, promoting new bone growth. When a tooth is missing, that stimulation is lost, and over time, the bone begins to dissolve. This gradual bone loss can lead to a shortened jaw and chin, causing wrinkles and giving the cheeks and lips a sunken appearance.
Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. By replacing missing teeth with implants, you can prevent or even reverse these issues. Implants help maintain healthy bone structure, preserve facial shape, and restore function, allowing you to smile confidently and maintain optimal oral health.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can feel overwhelming. A missing tooth might make you self-conscious about your smile and can also lead to a range of health issues. Gaps left by missing teeth can make biting uncomfortable, interfere with eating your favourite foods, and even lead to bone loss or shifting teeth.
- Restore Your Natural Appearance: Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth. They’re custom-made to match your smile, with each implant designed to blend seamlessly in size, shape, and colour with your other teeth. Once in place, implants become a permanent part of your smile, helping you regain confidence in a natural-looking appearance.
- Feel Confident in Your Comfort: When a dental implant is placed, your jawbone naturally fuses with the titanium post as it heals, creating a stable, long-lasting foundation. A custom crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture is then affixed to the implant, offering complete stability. With implants, you can laugh, smile, and eat comfortably—without worrying about shifting teeth or unexpected discomfort.
- Improve Bone Strength: When teeth are lost, the bone that once supported them can begin to weaken and atrophy. Dental implants stimulate the surrounding bone, encouraging new growth and maintaining bone strength. This added stability helps to protect the structure of your jaw over time.
Dental implants offer a natural, long-term solution that can last for decades with proper oral care, allowing you to enjoy a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
Dental Implant Restorations
A dental implant restoration is the visible, “false tooth” that attaches to the implant post, giving you the appearance of a new tooth. While the implant itself is hidden within the jawbone, the restoration is what completes your smile.
- Dental Crown: A dental crown is the most common type of implant restoration, designed to cover a single-tooth implant. It provides a natural look and feel, seamlessly blending with surrounding teeth.
- Dental Bridge: A dental bridge spans gaps where multiple teeth are missing in a row. Using just one or two implants to support the bridge, you can replace several teeth at once. For more extensive restorations, a full implant-supported bridge can replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth, securely fixed to four or more implants.
- Implant-Supported Denture: Implant-supported dentures offer greater stability for removable dentures by clipping onto two or more small implants. This added support reduces movement, making chewing, speaking, and smiling more comfortable and secure.
Each type of restoration serves different needs, ensuring that whether you’re missing one tooth or many, there’s a reliable, natural-looking solution to restore your smile.
A New Life with Dental Implants Awaits!
Your smile won’t just be the same after getting a dental implant—it’s going to be even better.
Dental implants are simple to care for, just like natural teeth. A gentle daily routine of brushing and flossing will keep your implant clean, and wearing protective gear during sports will help protect it from injury. Regular checkups with us will ensure your implant stays healthy and functional over the long term.
In return, your dental implant can give you many years of strong, confident, and beautiful smiles!
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How It Feels to Get a Dental Implant
Although the idea of having a metal implant placed into your jaw might sound daunting, the procedure is much more comfortable than you might expect.
We begin by numbing your mouth with a mild anesthetic, ensuring you feel no pain during the surgery. With advanced dental technology, we can place implants quickly, accurately, and conservatively, meaning less discomfort and a shorter recovery time for you.
Many patients find the experience surprisingly relaxing, with some even feeling sleepy during the short, half-hour procedure. The most challenging part might simply be holding your mouth open for a few minutes at a time!
After your procedure, it’s normal to experience mild swelling, discomfort, or bruising. However, the discomfort is easy to manage, and we’ll provide you with specific aftercare instructions to minimize any pain as the anesthetic wears off. Most patients find their implant site begins feeling better within a week.
With a success rate of nearly 95%, dental implants are one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry, giving you every reason to feel confident in your new, lasting smile.
What to Expect on Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The implant placement process is often more comfortable than people anticipate, with each step designed for ease and precision.
Assessment
Your journey begins with a thorough dental implant consultation to determine if implants are the right option for you. During this visit, your dentist will take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan to assess your bone structure and plan your implant placement. A scan or impression of your teeth is also taken to guide the precise angulation of the implant, ensuring a comfortable and natural fit.
Inserting the Implant
To keep you comfortable, an anesthetic is administered to numb the area completely. The dentist then creates a small opening in the gums and jawbone, precisely where the implant post will be placed. Once the implant post is in position, sutures may be used to close the gum tissue, though this isn’t always necessary.
Finalizing the Restoration
After allowing several months for the implant to integrate with your bone, you’ll return to the clinic for the final step. At this appointment, we place your custom-made dental restoration, completing your implant and providing you with a fully functional, natural-looking new tooth. With each stage carefully planned, you can feel confident that your new smile will be both beautiful and enduring.
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to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of Dental Implants in Belleville
In Belleville, the cost of a single dental implant generally ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. For those seeking full-mouth reconstruction, the cost can range from $6,000 to over $60,000, while a complete set of implant-supported dentures averages around $30,000. Given the complexity and individual nature of each case, a personalized in-office consultation is essential for an accurate quote.
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How is the Cost of Dental Implant Surgery Determined? Several factors influence the cost of dental implants:
- The type and number of implants required
- Materials and supplies used
- Expertise and experience of the dental team guiding you throughout the process
- Location and complexity of the surgery
- Follow-up and recovery care, where our team is available to support you as needed
Because every case is unique, an oral exam is essential to evaluate your situation and offer you tailored treatment options.
Are There Other Solutions for Missing Teeth?
In some cases, gaps left by one to three missing teeth may be addressed with a dental bridge. When more teeth are missing, or for full-mouth replacements, options like removable dentures or dental prosthetics can be considered. Although the initial investment for dental implants may be higher, they offer unmatched durability and stability compared to bridges or dentures.
While removable prosthetics require periodic adjustments or replacements over time, dental implants are cared for just like natural teeth—with routine oral hygiene and regular dental exams. With the right care, dental implants can provide a lifetime of benefits, making them a lasting solution for restoring your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
No one needs to know that your implants aren’t natural teeth. While implants are made of metal screws, these are fully hidden beneath your gums and topped with lifelike restorations that seamlessly blend with your smile.
Dentures and implants serve different purposes and function in distinct ways. Dentures sit on top of the gums and apply pressure to the bone underneath, whereas implants are anchored into the jawbone, which helps strengthen your bite. Each option has unique pros and cons, so we recommend an in-person consultation to help determine the best choice for you.
For patients who may not be good candidates for implants, dental bridges or full or partial dentures are effective options. The best way to explore your options is to schedule an appointment, where we’ll discuss your needs and answer any specific questions you have.
With advances in dental implant technology, the procedure is now highly predictable and relatively pain-free. We perform the implant placement with care and precision to keep discomfort minimal. With proper aftercare, you can expect mild swelling and minimal bleeding. If you feel anxious about the procedure, please let us know so we can support your comfort and peace of mind.
Most people can return to work the day after surgery. Once we review your treatment plan, we can provide an accurate recovery time estimate and advise you on any special scheduling considerations.
Caring for your dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, professional cleanings, and routine checkups are key to maintaining the longevity of your implants.
