Dental Implants

When a tooth needs to be removed because of damage or is already missing, dental implants are often a  good alternative to dentures or bridges. The artificial tooth looks and functions much like real ones so many dentists, including Dr. Shim, choose this option to restore not only the strength of the missing tooth and surrounding teeth, but also to keep the natural look of the teeth.

The dental implant process can take several months because of the healing required in between the various stages. As with all of our procedures at Corner Dentistry, we’ll do everything we can to ensure the process is as painless as possible. Dr. Shim has years of experience performing this surgery for patients, so you can rest assured you’ll be in good hands.

What are dental implants?
An easy way to think of a dental implant is like an artificial tooth root. Metal screw-like posts are surgically placed in the tooth root and overtime your jaw will fuse with it to create a strong base for the new artificial tooth. Abutements, or connectors, are placed on top of the dental implant to attach it to and support the new crown.

Crowns are then custom made to match the look and color of your natural teeth and are placed over the implant and abutement. The final result is a nearly seamless look to your teeth, and restored strength and functionality of your teeth and mouth.

When Dental Implants are Needed
If you have missing or damaged teeth that need to be removed, but are also unwilling or cannot get dentures, bridges, or crowns, dental implants would most likely be the best fit for you. Replacing lost teeth is crucial to the overall health and functionality of your mouth, as leaving those spaces unfilled can result in a much larger problem as time goes on. Your oral history, condition of your jawbone, use of tobacco, and your willingness to commit several months to the process all influence whether or not you’d be a good candidate for implants.

Dental Implants Procedure and Recovery Time
Dental implant surgery depends on a few factors of the patient’s unique set of circumstances. The type of implant and condition of your jawbone will both play a role in how Dr. Shim approaches your implant surgery. No matter what set of circumstances you have, however, we’ll always approach your procedure with your comfort top of mind.

The dental implant process is typically completed in stages with healing time factored in between the steps. Depending on your specific case, some of the stages can be combined together and help expedite the process. The full procedure usually looks something like the stages listed below.

•    Tooth removal
•    Dental implant insertion
•    Jawbone healing
•    Abutement placement
•    Artificial tooth insertion
 
In some cases, bone grafting might be required after the tooth removal. This is when your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft to support the dental implant. A bone graft can create a stronger base for the implant and weather the constant chewing and pressure exerted on your jaw.

If you want to replace missing teeth because they’re making you feel self-conscious, you’re struggling to bite or chew food, or you have dentures you want to replace with a more reliable fix, dental implants are a long-term, natural-looking solution.

What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that’s placed directly into your jawbone, replacing your missing tooth root. After it’s fitted, the bone surrounding your implant will gradually fuse to it, holding the implant firmly in place.

A false tooth (a crown) which matches the colour and shape of your existing teeth is then fitted to the top of the implant, leaving you with a fixed solution and a natural looking smile.

If you want to replace missing teeth because they’re making you feel self-conscious, you’re struggling to bite or chew food, or you have dentures you want to replace with a more reliable fix, dental implants are a long-term, natural-looking solution.