Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence. Implants themselves are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.

Procedure
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves one surgical procedure. The implants are placed within the jawbone. For a period of 8-12 weeks (up to 26 weeks depending on bone quality) following surgery, the implants are left to gradually bond with the jawbone. During this time most patients can easily wear a temporary denture. Once integration is finished your dental practitioner can create the new tooth or teeth on the dental implants.

Osseointegrated dental implants are small titanium "fixtures" that take the place of the natural root of the tooth. Gently implanted into the bone, using local anesthesia alone or with adjunctive sedation, these titanium roots actually bond or integrate with a patient's bone.

Most often, the osseointegrated implant is more stable than a natural tooth root. The dental implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw and functions as an anchor for the replacement tooth.

Upon these implants, a dentist can build permanent teeth that are custom designed and shaded to aesthetically suit each patient's distinctive facial requirements. The implants can hold a crown, bridge or overdenture just as the lost tooth roots held natural teeth in place.

Implant procedures are usually performed with local anesthesia in a comfortable dental chair. If necessary, intravenous sedation can be used along with freezing. This ensures maximum comfort during the surgical procedures.

Depending upon the number of implants placed, there may be swelling and/or tenderness for a few days following the surgery. Pain medication is usually prescribed which alleviates this discomfort. Patients may prefer a soft diet for a few days following surgery.

The entire osseointegration process and the building of the new teeth can usually be accomplished in as little as a day but most are completed in 8-12 weeks.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Improved Appearance
When teeth are lost, ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone occurs making the face look older. Dental implants can slow or stop this process. Dental implants look and feel like your own natural teeth.

Improved Comfort
Dental implants eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures. Since dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums, continuous shrinkage of the jaw bone alters the fit of the denture resulting in slipping or rocking of the dentures. Exposed nerves and irritation of the gum tissue may add to the discomfort.

Implant supported replacement teeth are like natural teeth because they are anchored securely to your jawbone.

Gum irritation and the pain of exposed nerves associated with conventional full or partial dentures are eliminated.

Improved Speech
With ill fitting dentures, the teeth slip and slide around the mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling, slurred speech or clicking noises.

Replacement teeth allow you to speak with confidence in a relaxed and natural tone.

Better Eating
The average denture patient with an excellent fitting denture chews at 15-20% efficiency when compared to a person with natural teeth. As the jawbone shrinks, your chewing efficiency is reduced even more, making it difficult to eat certain foods. Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth.

This allows you to eat your favourite foods with confidence and without pain, enjoy what everyone is eating and not think twice about it. A full upper denture covers the palate of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods. With dental implants, you can have the palate removed from your upper denture so you can taste and enjoy your food.

Protect Your Remaining Natural Teeth
Dental implants are often more appropriate than a bridge for the replacement of one or more adjacent teeth. With conventional bridgework, the teeth surrounding missing teeth must be ground down. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify these teeth, resulting in a conservative, yet aesthetic restoration.

Improved Self Esteem
Considering all other benefits, dental implants can improve your self-esteem. You may feel better about yourself. You can regain nearly all the capabilities that most people have with natural teeth, giving you renewed confidence, and allowing you to enjoy life, do what everyone else is doing and not think twice about it.

Convenience
Dental implants can eliminate the numerous embarrassing inconveniences of removable partial and full dentures. You will eliminate the use of gooey denture adhesives that must be re-applied throughout the day. You will no longer need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile, for fear that your teeth will pop out or fall down.

Common Dental Implant Applications
• If the restorative treatment involves replacing one tooth, a single implant will be placed.
• If the restorative treatment involves replacing more than one tooth, more than one implant will be needed, but not necessarily one for each missing tooth.
• In multiple tooth replacements, the restoration can be attached in various ways:

Fixed: so only your dentist can remove it. The restoration may be fixed using either cement or screws.

Removable: using a bar with retentive attachments, such as clips.

Single Tooth Replacement

Multiple Tooth Replacement

Full Lower Tooth Replacement

The surgeons at the Coronation Dental Specialty Group are experienced in several dental implant systems. Over the past decade well over 1000 fixtures have been successfully placed by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Periodontist.

The majority of implants placed are Nobelbiocare (originally Branemark). This company is still the industry leader and was responsible for the initial research and trials involving dental implants.

Upon request by your dentist or denturist, we also use Straumann and Bicon implant systems:

Nobelbiocare
Straumann
Bicon