Are dental implants the right choice for you? Burlington, Ontario dentist explains the process.

If you’ve lost a tooth, you likely know that there are many options for replacing that gap that’s left behind. You may know that one of those options is dental implant surgery. However, most patients don’t really know much about it. Dr. Swati Khanna and the team at LaSalle Dentistry in Burlington, Ontario, have been working with patients to help them decide which replacement tooth option is best for each individual’s unique situation.

The process for dental implants

To understand more about dental implants, it helps to think of them as a replacement tooth root. First, the dentist will place a titanium screw into the jawbone and allow it time to fuse with the bone. After your mouth has healed, which can take several weeks or months, your dentist will secure an abutment to the implant to which an artificial tooth will be placed.

The entire process can take three to nine months to complete, because the mouth needs time to heal. Temporary partials, or dentures, are used to eliminate the gap while the mouth has time to heal. This piece is used for appearance and can be removed while sleeping and brushing.

Once the implant has healed, the artificial tooth can be placed. At this point, you and your dentist will need to choose between a fixed or removable implant piece.

• The removable prosthesis is similar to a traditional denture. The artificial tooth, or teeth, is attached to a wire frame that snaps into place and is easily removable. It is typically the best option for patients who have more than one missing tooth in the lower jaw. Benefits include being less expensive than multiple individual implants while being more stable than a denture. Patients also find the implant-supported denture to be more comfortable than traditional dentures.
• On the other hand, if an individual only has one tooth to replace, or if cost isn’t an issue, a fixed implant can be permanently secured on the abutment. It will function just like a natural tooth. You will eat, sleep, and speak with it and no one will ever need to know you have a replacement tooth.

Dr. Khanna cares about the oral health of her patients. From bridges and crowns to implants to dentures, the LaSalle dentistry team has the skill and experience to help you decide which treatment option is best for you.  Call (905) 634-9090 today to schedule a consultation.