Your Dental Implant Guide

When people lose one or many teeth, they can have a decrease in their self-esteem. If you are one of them, you may feel self-conscious about your smile or even a little embarrassed to speak to others. Luckily, dental implants in Waterloo are a solution to replace your missing teeth.

Perhaps you have heard about dental implants. They are the first devices in modern dentistry that can fuse with your bone permanently to replace the root of a missing tooth. Look no further to know more about them.

Dental Implants

If you are looking for dental implants near you, you must know what they are. Dental implants are small metal posts that a dentist near you places inside your jawbone. Afterward, you must wait for an osseointegration period, which can last from three to six months, in which the dental implant integrates with the bone. 

The Procedure

First, you should visit a dental professional to discuss your wants and needs and see if you qualify for a dental implant. Most people are a good fit for dental implants, and even if you don’t have a dense bone to support them, you may opt for bone grafting to achieve optimal bone height for your implants. During this first visit, you may discuss costs, sedation dentistry (in case you need it), and any other concerns that you may have about the surgery.

During the surgery, your surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to freeze the area for you not to feel any pain. He or she will drill a hole into your jawbone and place the dental implant. After your bone attaches to the implant permanently and heals, your dental professional will place the permanent restoration.

After the surgery, you will feel some discomfort during the first few days. You may manage it with over-the-counter pain medication. As for the swelling, you may use an ice pack on the side of the face of the surgical area for ten minutes on-and-off.

All-on-4 Implants 

As its name suggests, all-on-4 implants consist of strategically placing four implants in your upper or lower jaw and then restore them with dentures.

The benefit of it is that your dentures will have better retention, and you will have optimal functionality. 

All-on-6 Implants

It is a way of restoring missing teeth that consists of placing six implants, instead of four, along with your upper o lower jaw. They are permanently attached to your bone and your dental professional fixes dentures on top for you to show a beautiful and functional smile.

Implant-Supported Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures have a learning curve that includes getting used to eating and speaking properly. On the contrary, implant-supported dentures feel natural because they are attached to the dental implants. 

We recommend implant-supported dentures better because they don’t loosen like traditional dentures. Many patients need to use denture adhesive for their dentures not to fall out and to perform small daily tasks easier. You may avoid all of it with implant-supported dentures.

The Durability of Dental Implants

Dental implants are pricey devices, but they may last for a lifetime. Considering that they can be with you forever, it is the best investment you could do, if you have missing teeth. Not only will you look better, but you will be able to eat and speak correctly and feel happier.

Keep in mind that you must keep good oral care habits to extend the life of any dental work. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, avoid sugary snacks and keep up with your dental checkups in our dental office in Waterloo for optimal oral health.