Losing or damaging a tooth is a common occurrence that can affect both your health and appearance. Fortunately, modern dental procedures give you several options for fixing and replacing teeth. Dental implants in Ajax are a preferred choice for patients as they look and function just as your own teeth do. Also, they are extremely durable and the implant itself will often last a lifetime. 

Here we will look at the procedure for placing dental implants, their cost and if dental implants are right for you. Here’s what you need to know.

The Procedure for Dental Implants in Ajax

The procedure for dental implants can be quite lengthy but will result in a durable tooth that will function just like your own teeth.  There are 3 basic phases of the dental implant procedure with waiting time in between. Some people may also require an initial step of bone grafting. 

This is necessary when your jawbone is not strong enough to support the dental implant. In this case, you will have either natural bone or synthetic bone grafted into place. 

It may take several months for the bone graft to strengthen your jaw sufficiently to support a post. However, some people may only require minor bone grafting and this can be done at the same time as the implant is placed. 

Dental Implant Placement

If your jawbone is strong enough to support a dental implant, the first step will be to have a metal post surgically inserted at the site of the missing tooth. This procedure is typically done in a dentist’s office by an oral surgeon but can sometimes be done in a hospital if there is a chance for complications. 

During this procedure, your surgeon will cut through your gum in order to precisely place the metal post into your jawbone. The post is placed deeply and securely to create a stable base for your new tooth. A temporary, removable tooth can then be placed. This tooth will only be used while you wait for your incision to heal and for the bone to fuse with the implant.  You will later receive a permanent tooth.  

Abutment Placement

Once your jawbone and the post have joined, a process known as osseointegration, you are ready for an abutment. The abutment is the piece that protrudes above your gum line and is where your new tooth will be attached. During this procedure, your oral surgeon will reopen your gum, place the abutment and then close your gum tissue around it.

Sometimes the abutment will be placed at the same time as the implant. However, with the abutment in place, it will be more noticeable when you open your mouth. Some people prefer to have this done separately and just keep a temporary tooth until a permanent crown can be placed.

Crown Placement

Finally, you will choose your replacement tooth or teeth. During this process, impressions of your teeth will be taken in order to make a precise mould for your new tooth. 

You can choose to either have a fixed tooth or a removable one. Removable teeth lock securely into place over your implant and act similarly to how a partial denture would work. One benefit of this is that they can easily be removed for repairs and cleaning. 

While this process may seem daunting, it is important to note that if you are missing several teeth in one area of your mouth, a single implant can support multiple teeth. A procedure known as All-on-Four can even replace all of your teeth with as few as 10 implants. 

Benefits of Dental Implants

Along with appearance and functionality concerns, missing teeth can affect your total oral health and lead to greater problems. These problems include jaw deterioration, issues with speech, additional tooth loss, and widened gaps as your teeth shift due to the empty space. 

When you get a dental implant, you restore the functions that your natural tooth served, eliminating these problems. Benefits include:

  • Stops jawbone deterioration
  • Extremely durable
  • Easy to care for 
  • Stops teeth from shifting
  • Natural appearance 
  • Does not put strain on surrounding teeth
  • Provides a better, more natural fit than dentures or bridges

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants? 

Dental implants in Ajax may be the ideal solution for many patients, but some will take better to the procedure than others. Dental implants are best for adults who have jawbones strong enough to support the metal implant or who can have their own bone grafted into place.

Those who will have more difficulty with the process are patients who are unwilling or unable to allow for the healing process time. Anyone with medical conditions affecting their bone or oral health may also be better served by dentures or a bridge. 

Finally, smokers or anyone who is unable to quit smoking may also find the process more difficult. Tobacco and other substances in cigarettes tend to work against the healing process and oral hygiene. Smoking can complicate many oral procedures and it is recommended that you quit at least during the healing time. 

The Differences Between Dental Implants, Dentures and Bridges

Each of these dental procedures have their benefits, but implants are often the best choice in many situations. Dentures are typically only used when all or most of your teeth are no longer viable. Though many advancements have been made in the formation of dentures, they can still be uncomfortable and cumbersome compared to having your own teeth. They also require special maintenance, may limit the foods you can eat and have a somewhat unnatural appearance. 

Bridges, which require there to be a tooth on either side of the gap, also have limitations. While cost-effective, bridges put more strain on your teeth and do not prevent bone loss in the jaw. Also, they will not last as long and the fit is not as seamless as with an implant. 

Implants, as noted in the benefits section above tend to be the most costly option but they are also the longest lasting. They also function just as your own teeth would. Therefore, when you pay the cost of dental implants in Ajax, you don’t have to worry about special care, limitations or difference in sensation from your other teeth.

Cost of Dental Implants in Ajax

The cost of dental implants in Ajax and across Canada can vary depending on several factors. If extensive bone grafting is needed, for example, that will increase costs. If you have insurance, some costs may be covered depending on your insurance type. 

While a final price cannot be determined without an examination of your teeth and medical history, the average is somewhere around $1600. This, however’; will vary and you should talk to your doctor and insurance company before assuming final costs. In some cases, you may be able to structure a payment plan with your dentist. 

Scheduling your Consultation for Dental Implants in Ajax 

Begin the dental implant process by scheduling a consultation with the caring, knowledgeable dentists at Singer Dental. We are committed to helping keep your smile healthy and we offer several options to address missing teeth and budgetary concerns. To make your appointment, call 905-231-4827.