INTRODUCTION
How Can Dental Implants Restore Your Oral Health?
Your teeth are meant for life, so it is important to have a complete set of functional teeth for proper smiling, speaking, and chewing. If food is not chewed properly, the nutrients in that food will not be properly absorbed. Missing teeth may also cause adjacent teeth to tip, drift, or be affected by unnatural wear, eventually leading to changes in the way you talk, eat, and smile. A dental implant is a substitute for your natural tooth root. Implants are generally small metal screws made of titanium, a metal that the body easily accepts, that take the place of the root and provide a place to attach an artificial tooth. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, support a dental bridge across multiple missing teeth, or anchor a full set of dentures.
FEATURES
Process of Dental Implants
Your teeth are meant for life, so it is important to have a complete set of functional teeth for proper smiling, speaking, and chewing. If food is not chewed properly, the nutrients in that food will not be properly absorbed. Missing teeth may also cause adjacent teeth to tip, drift, or be affected by unnatural wear, eventually leading to changes in the way you talk, eat, and smile. A dental implant is a substitute for your natural tooth root. Implants are generally small metal screws made of titanium, a metal that the body easily accepts, that take the place of the root and provide a place to attach an artificial tooth. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, support a dental bridge across multiple missing teeth, or anchor a full set of dentures.
Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal Dental Implants
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Endosteal dental implants are usually made with titanium or ceramic material and are widely preferred. Their preparation and placement process can take two to six months. Endosteal implants look like small screws and provide people with a natural look. Moreover, they do not require additional maintenance, which means they can last for a lifetime with good oral hygiene.
Subperiosteal Implants
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Subperiosteal implants are recommended for people with weaker jawbones and are an alternative to endosteal dental implants. These implants are placed directly over the top of the bone, but their framework lies below the gum line.
Zygomatic Dental Implants
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Zygomatic implants prove to be the most effective and safest option for people who have lost a significant amount of jawbone and do not want to undergo complex dental procedures like bone grafting or sinus lift.
CANDIDACY
Why Should You Get Dental Implants?
If you have one or more missing teeth and do not want to get dentures, dental bridges, or crowns, then dental implants can prove to be the best alternative and can effectively restore your oral health. Dental implants are directly inserted into your jawbone and cannot fall off; that's why they feel and function just like your natural teeth. If you have lost teeth due to injury, trauma, or decay, you should get immediate treatment by replacing them with implants. If lost teeth are left untreated for extended periods, it can cause serious complications in your mouth, including the dislocation or shifting of adjacent teeth. At our Beaches practice, we intend to provide our clients with oral services at affordable rates because we consider your comfort our main concern.
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WHEN TO CONSIDER
Reasons You Might Consider Dental Implants
People can consider having implants if they have any dental issues that affect the natural teeth. If lost teeth are left untreated for extended periods, it can cause serious complications in your mouth, including the dislocation or shifting of adjacent teeth.
People with the following dental issues may benefit from implants
• Cracked, loose, or broken teeth
• Sunken face due to missing teeth
• Tooth decay
• Loose-fitting dentures
• Bone loss in the jaw area
At Balsam Dental in The Beaches, we intend to provide our clients with oral services at affordable rates. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation. If you have any dental imperfections and want to restore your smile, then Balsam Dental can help.
BENEFITS
Comfort, timing, and longevity.
Is Getting Dental Implants a Painful Procedure?
During the dental implant procedure, dentists generally use sedatives during treatment to minimize any discomfort, which makes the whole process painless. However, after getting implants, patients may feel mild pain or soreness in the affected area, but these are temporary side effects and fade away on their own or with the use of painkillers.
When Should Dental Implants Be Placed After Tooth Extraction?
The timing of implant placement after extraction depends on the individual case and the condition of the bone. Some implants can be placed immediately after extraction, while others require waiting several months for the extraction site to heal. Your dentist will assess bone density and gum health to recommend the right timing for you.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most healthy adults with adequate bone density are candidates for dental implants. Factors we assess during your consultation include overall health, bone density at the implant site, gum health, and any medications you're taking that could affect healing. Even patients who've lost bone in the jaw are often still candidates thanks to techniques like bone grafting. The only way to know for sure is a proper consultation and 3D scan.
How Long Do Implants Last?
With good oral hygiene, dental implants can last for a lifetime with little maintenance. Implants are directly anchored into your jawbone and look and function like your original teeth. After getting implants, people feel significant improvement in their oral health.
How long is recovery after implant surgery?
Most patients feel back to normal within 3–7 days after implant placement, with mild swelling and soreness for the first 48 hours. You'll be given specific post-op instructions and, if needed, medication to manage discomfort. The full healing process — where the implant fuses with your jawbone — takes 3–6 months, but you can eat, work, and go about your life normally during that time.
Am I too old to get dental implants?
There's no upper age limit for dental implants. What matters is your overall health, bone density, and gum health — not your age. We have patients in their 70s and 80s who've had excellent outcomes with implants. If you're considering implants, book a consultation and we'll walk through what makes sense for your specific situation.
What if I don't have enough bone for an implant?
If you've lost bone density in the area where the implant would go, a bone graft can rebuild it. This is a routine procedure and adds a few months to the overall timeline, but it makes implants possible for many patients who might otherwise not be candidates. We can assess bone density with a 3D scan during your consultation.
Will my insurance cover dental implants?
Coverage for implants varies widely between insurance plans. Some cover a portion of the crown that goes on top but not the surgical placement, while others cover both. Bring your insurance details to your consultation and our team will help you understand what's covered and what to expect out of pocket.
