1925 Fowler Dr Mississauga, ON L5K0A2

Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

We at Fowler Dental in Mississauga are big believers in the value of local dental services. Your neighborhood dentist knows you and your oral health needs best.

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At Fowler Dental, we get more questions about dental implants than any other type of procedure.

Why’s that? Because dental implants are among the most common, popular, and effective treatments for a wide variety of dental problems. As far as natural-looking tooth replacement goes, dental implants are hard to beat.

What’s the truth about dental implants? Here is everything (and a bit more!) you need to know about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants ?

What are dental implants? Dental implants are, quite simply, artificial tooth roots. They are metal fasteners, often made of titanium, with winding ridges much like screws.

Once placed in the jaw, in the hole where a natural tooth root would be, the implant bonds with the jawbone and is locked in place.  A dental bone graft is sometimes needed to repair damage to the jawbone and create a solid foundation for the implant.

A special connector, known as an abutment, is then attached to the implant. Finally, a crown—an artificial tooth custom-made to match the patient’s natural teeth—is mounted to the abutment. While some implants and abutments can support multiple crowns, in general one crown is assigned to one implant.

Some dentists refer to the whole unit—from fastener to abutment to crown—as a “dental implant.” However, properly speaking, only the metal fastener is “implanted” in the jawbone.

Dental implant surgeries are as old as civilization itself. Almost 3,000 years ago, the first dental implants—made of animal bone and seashell—were administered in the Maya civilization.

Dentistry has progressed quite a bit since then, but the basic principle of dental implant surgery remains the same. They are a safe, effective, and time-tested method to replace missing teeth and restore your smile.

Don't wait to find out

The more time you hold off waiting to see if your you need an implant the more time your teeth deteriorate we suggest you come to the dentist as soon as possible to get the situation under control. 

Dental Implants: Before and After

The benefits of dental implants are immediately apparent.

Before a dental implants procedure, the patient’s teeth may be suffering from fracture, decay, or various forms of periodontal disease. Teeth may be missing, leaving visible gaps. Old, shoddy dental prosthetics from previous procedures may be falling apart, exposing bare gum or chipped teeth.

But after a dental implants procedure? Once implants are applied and affixed with crowns, even the best dentist will have a hard time telling them apart from natural teeth.

Do dental implants hurt? Not at all! The implant surgery is quick and painless and, once the implant has fused with the jawbone, patients report that they feel just like regular teeth.

Since the fastener is surgically implanted deep in the jawbone, no part of it or the abutment is visible after the crown is added. Dental implants and crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. There’s no better way to restore your smile.

See below for some “before and after” galleries of dental implants in action.

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How Long Do Dental Implants Last ?

Dental implants last a lifetime.

While crowns may need to be replaced every 10–15 years due to general wear and tear, the dental implants the crowns are attached to will not. The implanted fastener is made of titanium—one of the strongest metals on Earth—and quickly becomes embedded and fused with the jawbone after surgery.

With regular dental care and oral health habits such as brushing and flossing, the fastener will never need to be replaced.

dental-implants

Alternatives to Dental Implants

Dental implants are a 100% safe, proven, and effective treatment for a variety of dental problems. However, for clients who prefer other treatment methods, plenty of alternatives to dental implants exist.

Bridges are a minimally invasive option for replacing teeth. Whereas implants are fused to the jawbone and affixed with a crown, bridges attach the crown using either neighboring teeth (a tooth-supported bridge or fixed bridge) or resin (a resin-mounted bridge). Some patients who prefer to avoid invasive surgery choose bridges over implants.

Partial dentures are another popular alternative to implants. When patients are missing several adjacent teeth, bridges may not be an option. Many patients choose partial dentures for their lower cost and ease of use. However, be aware that dentures are not permanent and require adjustments every few years.

Are you interested in alternatives to dental implants? Fowler offers bridges, dentures, and a full selection of restorative dental services.

Conclusion

Fowler is proud to offer top-quality dental implants to all our neighbors. Are you looking for professional dental implants in Mississauga? We specialize in dental implants as one of our core services.

Have a look at our services page for more details or contact us for a free dental implant consultation today!

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