Dental implants, explained
A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces a tooth root, topped with a crown that looks, feels and works like a natural tooth. Our doctors are certified providers of BioHorizons dental implants, and we place and restore implants at our Thornhill dental clinic for patients from Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is used to replace missing teeth. The basis for modern dental implants is a biological process called osseointegration, in which materials such as titanium form a strong bond with bone. The implant fixture is first placed in the jawbone. A variable amount of healing time is required for osseointegration before either the dental prosthetic (a tooth, bridge or denture) is attached to the implant or an abutment is placed which will hold the dental prosthetic.
When should I consider getting an implant?
If you have the bone structure to support an implant, implants are typically considered one of the most effective methods of replacing a lost tooth. Benefits include:
Strong and comfortable
Stronger and more comfortable than alternatives such as dentures or bridges. No slipping, no clasps.
Prevents bone loss
An implant stimulates the jawbone like a natural root, which preserves bone and facial shape.
Minimal maintenance
Brushing and flossing, the same as natural teeth. No special cleaners or adhesives.
Protects neighbouring teeth
Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require grinding down the healthy teeth beside the gap.
You might also consider implants if you have had a denture for many years but are looking for a non-removable alternative, or want a few implants to hold a loose denture firmly in place.
What is the dental implant process?
Getting an implant takes a few months from start to finish, mostly healing time. Each visit is short.
Consultation
Exam, X-rays and a review of your health to confirm you are a good candidate. We explain all costs before treatment.
Implant placement
The titanium post is placed in the jawbone under local anesthetic, with sedation available.
Healing
The bone bonds to the implant over about 3 to 6 months. A temporary tooth can be worn meanwhile.
Crown
A custom crown is attached to the implant and matched to your other teeth.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most healthy adults with a missing tooth are candidates. The best results come with:
Healthy gums
Active gum disease is treated first so the implant has a healthy foundation.
Enough bone
The jaw needs sufficient bone to hold the implant. If bone has been lost, grafting may be an option.
Good general health
Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, and smoking, slow healing and lower success rates.
Commitment to care
Daily brushing and flossing and regular check-ups keep the gums around the implant healthy.
Dental implant FAQs
The implant is placed under local anesthetic, so you should feel no pain during the procedure. Most patients describe the recovery as easier than a tooth extraction, with mild soreness for a few days managed by over-the-counter pain relief. IV sedation is available if you are anxious.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, the implant itself can last for decades, often a lifetime. The crown on top is subject to normal wear and may need replacing after many years.
Typically 3 to 6 months from placement to final crown, mostly waiting for the bone to heal around the implant. If a tooth must first be extracted or bone grafted, add a few more months. We will give you a timeline at your consultation.
No. There is no upper age limit. Healthy seniors do very well with implants, and implant-supported dentures are a popular way to stop a denture from slipping. Implants are not placed in children and teens whose jaws are still growing.
Bone can often be rebuilt with a bone graft before or at the time of implant placement. Your dentist will assess the bone on an X-ray or scan and discuss the options with you.
Brush twice a day, floss daily around the implant crown and keep your regular cleaning appointments. Implants cannot decay, but the gums around them can become inflamed if plaque builds up.
The cost depends on the number of implants, whether a graft is needed and the type of crown or denture attached. We provide a written estimate at your free consultation and explain any insurance coverage before treatment begins.
Are implants covered by my dental insurance?
Coverage will vary between policies. Typically, dental insurance plans offer minimal coverage for dental implants, but there are exceptions. We can confirm what is covered by your policy when you come in for an appointment or free consultation.
Portions excerpted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant under the Creative Commons license.
Hey, So Doc I have a underbite like barley noticeable and I am wondering if it’s a necessary to fix it like I was having to plan jaw surgery but then my orthodontist suggested something else an implant procedure which won’t correct it 100% but a little but my hygienist said I should do the surgery or I’ll have problems later on but my orthodontist said that people go through life without any problems with underbite so what do I do?
Hi Ismail, I understand this is a tough decision to make. I have many older patients with crossbite/underbite that don’t have any issues with their teeth. On the other hand, in some cases teeth are more likely to experience gum recession down the road due to underbite. I have also seen patients with severe underbite going through with the surgery and it being a life changing experience for them.
The surgery involves the sectioning of the lower jaw bones, re-positioning the jaw bones, and holding them in place with metal plates and screws. Braces are required both before and after the surgery to make sure the teeth are in the correct position after the surgery. The recovery period is long and difficult, and patients are typically on a liquid food diet and pain killers and not able to speak and work for a period of time. There is also a risk of nerve damage to the tongue, cheek, or lips, or damage to the roots of the teeth. For a surgery like this, you really have to look at the potential risks vs the benefits you expect to gain. If you’re still unsure, you can always seek a second opinion (from another orthodontist). Best of luck with your decision!
I’ve had several teeth either pulled or sanded down, completely improperly which has left me in an extremely uncomfortable state. What type of dentist should I see and what steps should I take to regrow the enamel on the sanded teeth and put back the teeth that are pulled, making sure they are alive in the process? I’ve been advised of artificial solutions before but per my research they will do even more damage so I will not consider them as an option, nor will I accept an answer that advises me to seek them, only one that will get me my original healthy teeth back. Thank you.
Hi Noah, unfortunately there is currently no commercially available treatment for regrowing enamel or teeth that have been extracted. There is research being done in this area though, so hopefully it’s an option dentists could offer in the future!
Hi I hope you can help me.
A year ago I had a tooth removed which left communication with the sinus. Last week I had a sinus lift using bone graft. Within five days the bone graft had fallen out of the hole where the communication had been. Im back to square 1. My question is, what was supposed to be holding the bone graft up stopping gravity just letting it fall out ? Because that’s pretty much just what it done. It just fell down into my mouth. 😕
Hi Tim,
For the sinus lift and bone graft you had, I am going to assume that you had particulate bone placed in. Particulate bone are loose smaller pieces of bone that can be more easily manipulated and packed into places. They are held in place by the sinus membrane on top, existing bone or gum on the surrounding surfaces, and gum facing the mouth is sutured together to prevent the grafting material from falling into the mouth. Sometimes a membrane maybe placed in between the bone graft material and the gum.
In some grafting cases, a larger single piece of bone or a block bone is needed if the bone defect is large. A block bone graft is usually held in place with mini screws. I hope this helps.
Hello. I have second molar moved into the position of first molar using TAD braces. I also now have an implant in the position where second molar used to be and I have to remove the implant or I can just bury the implant under the gums. Would I have to wear a retainer to prevent my second molar from tipping back where it used to be or would the buried implant prevent the movement of first molar?I can’t have more implants unfortunately
Hi Lizo, since the implant is not going to have a crown, it’s unlikely to prevent the crown of the original second molar from tipping back. Please follow the instructions of your orthodontist regarding the use of a retainer for your particular case.
Hello,
Two weeks ago I had the first stage of my front tooth implant done. Which the post was put in and a temporary tooth put on. For the procedure the dentist took some of my palette from the roof of my mouth, and stitched it to my front new post tooth gum line. So now I have stitches on the left side on the roof of my mouth, and my front right posted tooth gum line. Yesterday was the 2 week mark (march 23,2020 ) to remove my stitches, the dentist cancelled because of the corona virus, and rescheduled for April 20,2020. I am concerned that these none dissolving stitches and that this too long to be in. They did prescribed me a mouth wash. But still worried about the removal of the stitches. Can someone tell me what they think about my situation. Thank you.
Hi Sean, it will likely be perfectly fine to leave the stitches in for that period of time. Continue to brush and use mouth rinse as instructed by your dentist. The stitches may even become loose or come out on their own before your appointment, which is again perfectly fine. If you begin to experience increased pain, swelling, and/or pus coming from the grafting area, please contact an emergency dental office.
Because of COVID19 dentist appointments are canceled and I have braces and I was supposed to get them tightened you know routine but because I cant go will this affect my teeth or prolong the braces and should I still put on my elastics?
Hi Mike, followup appointments for orthodontic treatments are considered non-emergency dental treatments and are being rescheduled in most areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This should not affect your teeth negatively, but it may prolong the length of your treatment slightly depending on when you can be seen again. If your dentist or orthodontist prescribed elastics, please continue to wear them as instructed.
Greetings Dr. Li,
Thanks for this great Q&A service! For someone (me!) whose crown on tooth #3 fell out leaving a hopeless tooth at gumline that needs extraction, and next an implant, what is recommended timeline for getting fit for a nightguard needed for bruxism? Given significant expense of quality nightguards, I don’t want to have impressions taken before extraction if Im just going to need a new appliance 6 months later at time of implant bc of any mouth changes (bite shifting, bone loss, etc.) that might occur in interim. What would you advise – or maybe if you cant answer directly about my situation, what are general treatment recommendations for this type of scenario? Does the dental science tell us anything about best timing strategies for folks like me?
Thanks again for your time and for sharing your expertise!
Hi Casey, a custom made night guard is usually recommended after the crown is fitted on the implant. It will help to protect the implant from the effect of bruxism.
While you are in the extraction and implant stage for an upper molar tooth, there are a few options depending on your budget and how bad the bruxism is. Your dentist may be able to do an interim (thinner and cheaper) night guard for the upper teeth while things are healing. You can also ask your dentist for a recommendation for a Do it yourself night guard kit that you can purchase from a pharmacy for the upper teeth while things are healing. If those two options are not for you, and you need a custom made night guard before your upper implant crown can be completed, your dentist could make a lower night guard which will require minimal bite adjustment once your upper implant crown is finished.
I have an implant at the front of my mouth with two missing teeth on either side of it. Would I be able to get an implant supported bridge with 3 crowns on one post in the middle instead of two posts, one on either side?
Hi Dolan, using 1 middle implant to support 3 crowns is not advisable. The chewing force applied to 3 crowns will most likely exceed what a single implant can support, it may lead to implant fracture or failure.