Dental implants
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a small screw, generally made of titanium, which replaces the natural root of a missing tooth. Dental implants screw into the jawbone in order to permanently support replacement teeth (prosthetic teeth, crowns or bridges) and maintain them solidly in place.
At Clinique Dentaire Richard Landry, our specialized oral surgeons use top-quality Straumann dental implants made from medical-grade titanium. Straumann is recognized as one of the world leaders in the production of oral-surgery instruments and components.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants provide numerous benefits, allowing you to significantly improve your quality of life with a sparkling smile! The advantages include the following:
- They’re a safe solution;
- They provide increased day-to-day comfort, making it possible to eat, smile and speak as if you had your natural teeth;
- They give the appearance of natural teeth;
- They restore the ability to chew food thoroughly, which facilitates digestion;
- They won’t damage the adjacent teeth;
- They reinforce the jawbone and help it retain its solidity by stimulating it;
- They’re more stable and less constraining than removable dentures;
- They’re easy to maintain, as you brush and floss them just as you would your natural teeth;
- They’re permanent and can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular checkups and cleanings at your dentist’s office.
Dental implantation: a quick, virtually painless surgical procedure
The placement of dental implants is carried out in a series of steps:
- First, your oral surgeon will perform a rigorous examination of your mouth and take x-rays of your jaws to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants.
- Next, the professional will insert the implant directly into the jawbone beneath the gums. He or she will then suture the gum tissue.
- During the healing process, which may take several months, the implant bonds with the bone and affixes to the gums, thus forming a solid foundation.
- Once the tissues have healed, your dentist will attach a pillar to the implant. The pillar will act as a support linking the replacement tooth to the dental implant.
- Finally, your oral surgeon will attach a replacement tooth (crown, prosthesis or bridge) to the pillar.
The full process, as well as the final adjustment of the replacement tooth, will require several visits to your oral surgeon.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information!
Who can receive dental implants?
Dental implants are generally offered to healthy individuals who are missing one or more teeth. You’re a good candidate for dental implants if you meet the following criteria:
- You don’t want dentures (taking them out to clean them after each meal is impractical).
- You’re an adult, as the teeth and jawbone must have stopped growing.
- Your gums are healthy.
- Your jaw has sufficient bone mass to tolerate an implant. If not, a bone graft can be performed beforehand to increase the bone density of your jaw so that it can provide long-term support for an implant.
- The anatomy of your jaw is appropriate.
Following dental implantation, in order to guarantee the durability of the implant, you must maintain meticulous oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.
