Dental Implants North York, Toronto

Although dental implant surgery is an invasive procedure, most patients find that the process is easily tolerable.

On top of being given a local anesthetic or sedation during the procedure, any residual pain or discomfort afterwards is easily managed with prescription pain killer medication.

However, not every dental patient is a good candidate for an implant. In fact, many factors will determine whether a person is eligible to receive this procedure, which includes:

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a small metal, usually titanium, post, which is surgically anchored into a patient’s jawbone. This post is used as an artificial root, to which your dentist will install a dental prosthesis.

With that said, receiving a dental implant requires invasive surgery, where the metal post will be fused to your bone structure over time.
Once the implant is healed, a natural-looking porcelain crown can be permanently affixed to it.

How many teeth can an implant replace?

While most implant procedures are performed to replace a single tooth, oftentimes, a single implant can be used to support a small denture to replace several teeth simultaneously. This can often replace anywhere between 2 to 4 teeth.

Is dental implant surgery painful?

Although most patients report that implant surgery is tolerable, it’s still an invasive procedure, which may leave you with some post-procedure pain and discomfort.
However, your dentist will advise you on the best way to manage any residual pain. Ice may also be used to help reduce any swelling.

How much do dental implants cost?

Before they involve invasive surgery, implants are generally more expensive than most other tooth replacement procedures like bridges or dentures. With that being said, dental implants are a more permanent procedure, which shouldn’t ever need to be redone. Therefore, in some respects, implants are more cost-effective in the long-term.

Typically, the overall cost of dental implants ranges between $1,500 and $6,000. However, costs can vary significantly depending on the number of implants being installed and each procedure's complexity.
For example, if the underlying jaw structure isn’t strong enough to support the implant, bone grafting may be needed before the implant can be securely anchored.

How should I care for my implant?

Although your new prosthetic implant won’t decay, they still require the same care and treatment that you’d give any of your other teeth. Additionally, your implant area will be slightly more prone to inflamed gum tissue, which can become infected if not properly cared for.

That’s why proper brushing and flossing is required to care for your dental implants.

Is it possible for my body to reject the implant?

Although an implant is made from surgical-grade steel, there is still a minor chance that patients might develop an allergic reaction or rejection of the implant. With that said, surgical-grade titanium poses minimal risk to you or your mouth, and your dentist will help you keep an eye on your oral health while your implant is healing. Infections are another possible reaction; however, most implant surgeries are achieved successfully with a 95% success rate.

Am I eligible for implant surgery?

If you’re healthy and in good shape, you are most likely a good candidate. However, this can only be determined by a thorough oral examination performed by your dentist. The exam will include x-rays, which your dentist will use to analyze the underlying bone structure of your jaw.

To learn more about patient eligibility, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Can implant surgery fail?

As mentioned above, there are some potential scenarios where an implant may fail or be rejected by the body. Also, if the implant does not successfully fuse itself to your jawbone, there’s a minor risk that the implant could come loose and fall out. However, this is extremely rare, and your dentist will help you keep an eye on things.

Are dental implants worth the investment?

Although dental implants are more expensive than other restoration methods, they are more permanent and often last a lifetime. Additionally, dental implants also help keep your jawbone strong and solid, which can prevent any further tooth loss.
Even for those who’ve lost all of their teeth, dental implants might be an ideal solution to getting their smile back.

When it boils down, dental implants are a more cost-effective solution in the long-term simply because they won’t ever need to be replaced and will function exactly like your remaining natural teeth.

How long does the implant process take?

Because the process involves having the implant become fused to your jawbone and gum tissue, the overall time frame to receive an implant is often 6 months to a year. However, timeframes will vary from one person to another.
Generally, this involves two stages.

The first stage, when the implant is surgically implanted into the jaw, and the second stage, which is when the artificial tooth is attached to the small post.