Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used as a permanent replacement when one or more teeth have been lost. Implants are small titanium screws that are placed directly in the jawbone. The implant acts as a stable support for replacement teeth. This could be in the shape of crowns, bridges or secured dentures.
Losing teeth can be a distressing experience. Many of the patients we see at Blackfalds Dental Centre became shy about smiling when one or more tooth was lost. Missing teeth can also cause problems with biting and chewing food. This is because surrounding teeth may become misaligned as they move to fill any gaps. This increases strain put on any remaining teeth. Over time the bone beneath the gaps begins break down to resorb or break down.
Unlike other tooth replacement solutions, dental implants actually promote healthy bone growth, integrating with the bone and being osteoconductive. In most cases they can be placed in a small surgical procedure carried out under local anesthetic, although treatment under sedation is also available for nervous and phobic patients.
Dental implants can be used in cases where patients have one, several or even all missing teeth. For more than one missing tooth it is often possible to attach more than one replacement tooth to a single implant, depending on where in the mouth teeth are missing from.
Our Blackfalds Dental Centre implant team has extensive experience in implant treatment. Whether you are looking for a single dental implant or a full-mouth restoration, everything can be carried out at our comfortable, well-equipped practice.
For patients who have suffered bone loss and may have been told by another dentist that they are not suitable for implants, our team may be able to help with additional treatments such as bone grafts or sinus lifts, so please get in touch for an implant consultation.
As well as looking highly natural when restoration is complete, dental implants also provide an excellent degree of functionality.