Our Burnaby Dentists at North Burnaby Dental Group provide dental implants.

Learn what dental implants are, if they are right for you and what you can expect from a dental implant procedure

Is an empty space from a missing tooth preventing your smile from looking its best? Are you having trouble chewing? Is your self-confidence affected? If so, there are ways to replace missing teeth, restore lost function and enhance the beauty of your smile. Today the optimal tooth replacement method supported by decades of research and referred by the Best Burnaby dentists is a dental implant.

So what is a dental implant? Basically, it is a small titanium replacement for the root part of the tooth that fuses to the bone and attaches to a crown. Since this is a two-part procedure, one or more highly trained dentists may be involved in your implant treatment. Your dentists will examine you to see if there is enough space and bone area of a lost tooth. The longer the tooth has been missing, the more likely it is that the bone that once supported it has deteriorated. A major advantage of dental implants is that they prevent further loss of bone. If you don’t have enough bone, don’t worry. A relatively routine procedure known as bone grafting can regenerate bone that has been lost to ensure the success of your implant. When there is sufficient bone, your dentist will insert the implant. It’s usually done at the dentist office using the type of anesthesia that’s right for you.

After the surgery your dentist will give you a temporary tooth replacement while you wait for the implant to fuse to the surrounding bone. This process can take several months. Once your implant fuses to the surrounding bone, your dentist will attach your final crown. It might go directly onto or more often onto another piece called an abutment positioning between the implant and the crown. You now have a sturdy tooth replacement that is visually undisguisable from a natural tooth.

What’s also great about dental implants is the variety of ways they can be used to replace missing teeth from a single tooth to implant supported bridgework – they are very versatile. Implants can even be used to help support and retain dentures so they are more stable and functional.

Research studies have shown a success rate well over 90 percent making implants the most economical long-term solution available. Your dentist will evaluate any risk factor you may have, which in rare cases, may prevent dental implants from properly fusing to your bone. Such risk factors may include smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and osteoporosis.
To give a synopsis of the pleasing results you will see after a successful dental implant treatment,

•        You will have a beautiful smile with more natural look
•        Your facial structures will be restored
•        You will eat the foods you enjoy
•        You will restore your chewing strength for easy digestion
•        You will speak with greater ease, and enjoy an active lifestyle
•        Most importantly, you will live with confidence

Keep in mind that dental implants require the same care as your natural teeth. Keep up the good oral hygiene at home by brushing and flossing. Regular checkups and professional cleanings ensure the health of your gums and supporting bone. You should consider it as an important part of long-term implant success.

If you have any missing teeth, and are wondering if dental implants are right for you, feel free to schedule a consultation with your Burnaby dentist at North Burnaby Dental Group to learn more about the life-changing treatment.