Dental Implants

A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, the bone grows around it over the following months, and once it is solid a crown is attached on top. The result sits on its own foundation rather than leaning on the teeth either side of it.

We place implants here rather than sending you elsewhere for the surgery, and sedation is available for the surgical stages if you would rather not be aware of them.

When an Implant Makes Sense

Implants are one way to replace a missing tooth, not the only one. Bridges and dentures still have their place, and which suits you depends on how many teeth are missing, the state of the bone underneath, and your general health. An implant is often worth considering when:

• A single tooth is missing and the teeth either side are healthy — an implant leaves them untouched
• Several teeth are missing and you would rather not have a removable denture
• An existing denture moves more than you would like
• You want to keep the bone in that part of the jaw working, since an empty socket tends to lose bone over time

We will tell you if we think a bridge or a denture is the better answer for your situation. Not every gap needs an implant.

Implant Treatment Under Sedation

Implant placement is surgery, and it is the stage most people are uneasy about. It is also one of the treatments our sedation options are there for — IV moderate sedation, IV deep sedation or general anesthesia, chosen with you at your consultation rather than assumed.

The stages that follow placement are usually straightforward and most people have those without sedation, though it stays available if you want it. Joanne Murphy, our registered nurse, monitors patients throughout any sedation.

What the Treatment Involves

Implant care happens over more than one appointment, with healing time in between. How long that takes depends on your bone and how you heal, so we give you a timeline for your case rather than a standard one.

It begins with a consultation: an examination, the imaging we need to see the bone, a review of your medical history and medications, and a plan you agree to before anything is booked. The implant is then placed and left to integrate with the bone. Once it is stable, the crown is made and fitted.

Where there is not enough bone to hold an implant securely, bone grafting can build the site up first. Dr. Bilal Paracha, who carries out our surgical work, also uses PRP and PRF in his practice; you can read his background on the meet the team page.

Looking After an Implant

An implant does not decay, but the gum and bone holding it can still become inflamed if plaque builds up around it. It needs brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and regular checkups exactly like a natural tooth. Smoking makes problems around implants more likely.

We give you aftercare instructions written for your procedure. Our pre and post-operative instructions page covers the general guidance for surgical appointments, and you can call (226) 257-8888 if anything concerns you while you are healing.