Dental Implants and Dentures

Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a long-term solution for replacing damaged or missing teeth. An alternative to dentures and bridges, implants are surgically placed to restore the tooth roots and provide a strong foundation for realistic looking artificial teeth.

The implant process starts with a comprehensive consultation, examination and x-rays. Once approved for implant surgery, the dentist will surgically embed a small metal post to replace the roots of the missing tooth. This post is the implant, and will covered for several weeks allowing the gums to heal.  After this period, the implant is revealed and a false tooth or “implant crown” is then fitted onto this metal root: it is designed to compliment or match remaining teeth.

Implants are considered a more natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing alternative to dentures although the procedure can be more complex. Changing the appearance of teeth can impact positively on many aspects of a person’s life. Talk to your dentist today whether implants are the right option for you.

Dentures

One option to replace lost or missing teeth is to use dentures. They are a removable custom-made replacement, which fit snugly over the gums. Made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal, dentures can help with eating and speech. Of course, they can also improve a person’s smile, overall confidence and appearance. If you or a family member is considering replacing teeth, read on for the facts on dentures.

There are two main types of dentures – complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures replace all the natural teeth in either the lower or upper jaw. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.

Dentures can also be referred to as ‘conventional’ or ‘immediate.’ Conventional dentures are made and inserted after teeth are removed and the gums have healed. Immediate dentures are placed on the same day that a limited number of teeth are removed. Immediate dentures require more adjustment and future realigning.

Dentures are only one way that missing teeth can be replaced. For lots of people, dentures are the ideal choice as they are removable and do not require any invasive surgery to fit. On the other hand, new dentures are required every few years and there is a learning curve to using them. Being relatively natural looking, dentures have changed the lives and confidence of many people with missing or no teeth. Ask your dentist for more information about dentures and other options to replace teeth.

The combination of dentures and implants can create a denture that snaps into place creating much mores stability and improved function. If you are having problems with your current denture or want to explore this combination, please call us 1 (780) 455 2389.