Missing teeth? Dental Implants Could be the Solution

Almost all Canadians suffer from missing teeth at some point in their lives.  It’s one of the most common dental conditions we see patients for at our clinics, and luckily there are many treatment options to fix the problem.  Reasons for missing teeth often include natural ageing, receded gums, tooth extractions, accidents, bone loss and neglected cavities.  When our patients visit us looking for solutions, we typically point them in the direction of dental implants.  These implants have literally changed the face of modern dentistry. 

Dental implants act as replacement teeth, capable of restoring a single or even a complete row of missing teeth.  Implants are used in place of missing teeth and act as a permanent tooth, offering a solid foundation for bridges, dentures and permanent crowns.  Dental implants can be designed to match your existing natural teeth and work wonders to restore your smile and your confidence.  They are the best and longest-term solution to tooth loss when compared with dentures, fixed bridges and removeable partial dentures.

Why Dental Implants Are Right For You

Dental implants boast a 95% success rate in replacing missing teeth.  Not only do they restore the function of your teeth in terms of eating and speaking, they also act to preserve the jaw bone that is vital to support existing teeth.  Implants are also stronger and last longer than your original teeth because they never decay.  The most common type of dental implants includes a small, screw-like titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth.  From there a permanent crown, bridge or denture can be affixed to the post to restore function and match your existing teeth.  Modern dental implants involve a routine and straightforward procedure, typically requiring only local anaesthesia during the treatments.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have become the number one solution to missing teeth for the following reasons:

• Implants act as your natural teeth
• Implants prevent additional bone loss in the jaw that is often associated with missing teeth
• Preserve the structure of your face and counteract facial sagging
• Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime if cared for properly

Treatment Options of Dental Implants

Single tooth replacement: A single dental implant will restore the look of your smile, as well as function.  They also work to prevent bone loss and act to support neighbouring teeth so they don’t collapse into the empty space.

Multiple tooth replacement:  Aside from restoring the look and function of your smile, implants are often used to support fixed bridges and dentures when more than one tooth is missing.

Permanent tooth replacement:  Due to the permanent and long-lasting nature of dental implants, they can be used to support an entire row of missing upper or lower replacement teeth.  Replacing an entire row also does not require an implant for each individual tooth, as just a few attachment points are often enough to support an entire row of replacement teeth.

Used to support removeable dentures:  A negative to traditional dentures is that they exert pressure on the underlying jaw bone which will accelerate bone loss.  Removeable dentures help preserve the existing bone beneath them and make for a denture that fits perfectly without risk of shifting.

If you’re missing teeth and are looking for a solution, we recommend visiting one of our convenient office locations to discuss your best treatment options.  We offer single tooth replacements, multiple tooth replacements, full row (arch) replacements and permanent of removeable dentures.  For dental implants in St. Catharines and Burlington, Martindale Dental has you covered.