Dental implants, dentures, and bridges all address one problem; they are restorative treatments for missing teeth. However, they are not the same and they do not perform or offer the same results. When you are looking for missing teeth replacement, it is important to know the difference between the three to make an informed decision.
Dentures are false teeth that are customized to fit your teeth and gums. These teeth are removable and are ideal if you are missing multiple or all teeth. The downside to dentures is that they do not stop bone loss. Your jaw will shrink, and with time you may need to have the dentures readjusted to fit your teeth.
Dental bridges are also false teeth and are permanent. They are cemented in place and offer a seamless look. The bridges are long-lasting and you can have them for 15 years and thereafter, you’ll need to have them replaced.
Dental implants are metal screws (titanium) fixed on the jawbone to anchor the artificial teeth. These implants offer better support compared to the bridges and usually last longer. There are three reasons why you may want to get dental implants near you.
Dental implants are made of three parts—the screws, abutment, and dental crowns. The metal screws are surgically fixed on the jaw and they combine with the bone. The dental crowns, once fixed, create a natural-looking appearance, and rarely will someone notice that you have implants.
One common problem with missing teeth is the reabsorption of the supporting bone. This causes bone and teeth to weaken. Although bridges are permanent, they are not as effective in preventing bone loss as implants do. Dental implants once fixed will fuse with the bone, which creates strong support. This not only stops the bone from reabsorption but will also stimulate new bone growth.
Since the implants are made of titanium, they are strong and resistant to decay. These implants are also very durable and can last for 25+ plus. Although the crowns will need to be replaced at some point, your teeth will stay put for longer with proper care.
While the dental implants in Dorval, QC are effective, there are two things you need to focus on, the length of treatment and your eligibility.
Compared to the bridges and dentures, the dental implant procedure lasts longer. The procedure involves a few steps:
The dentist will begin the procedure with an examination and assessment of your teeth and gums to check the extent of bone loss. If you lack the required bone support, the dentist may recommend other dental procedures like bone grafting to stimulate new bone growth.
We will take you through the procedure and what you can expect before and after.
After numbing the gums, the dentist will open the gums and drill the bone to fix the implants. The gums are stitched to facilitate healing.
Gum healing will take a few months, and during this time, the bone and implant fuse to offer support. The implant and bone need to combine for the treatment to be successful. If the osseointegration process is unsuccessful, the body may reject the implant.
Once the gums heal, the dentist will re-open them to fix the connector. The procedure is short and is done in an outpatient setting. The dentist will make a cast of your teeth to make the dental crowns.
The dental crowns can either be removable or fixed. The removable ones come in the form of all-on-4 implants that combine the screws and dentures. These come in handy when you are missing more than half of the teeth and are looking for full mouth dental implants.
The fixed crowns are either cemented or screwed in place.
For the dentist to recommend dental implants you need to meet the eligibility criteria:
Visit Clinique Dentaire Dorval for more information on dental implants.