Dental Implants in Niagara
We provide expert dental implant treatments to patients across Niagara, including St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls.
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Dental implants are the best way to restore missing teeth. These artificial tooth roots can be brushed and flossed just like a regular tooth. The success rate is nearly 98%, making them an excellent conservative approach to replace teeth that have been extracted.
Quality Implant Therapy in a Family Practice Setting
Dr. Clark has taken extensive training on dental implants, bone grafting and soft tissue management for difficult cases. The Straumann implants that we use are the best in the industry. As such, our patients can receive their entire treatment in our practice, without the added price tag of going to an outside clinic.
Who is the ideal implant patient?
If you have a broken tooth that can’t be restored or a tooth that has recently been extracted, an implant is usually the best way to restore the aesthetics and your bite. Additionally, some people who have had teeth missing for several years can also benefit from a dental implant.
These stand-alone prosthetics function as roots to support a fixed restoration, such as● Single-tooth crowns● Multiple-tooth dental bridges● Overdentures that clip into place
Not everyone is a good candidate for an implant. Ask for a consultation so we can explore your options with you before you commit to any treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a prosthesis surgically embedded into the jawbone and, over the course of two to three months, allowed to fuse with the bone. The dental implant serves as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth.
The inventor of the modern dental implant, Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark, made his implant discovery in the mid-1960s. While researching bone healing, he discovered that bone tissue would fuse to the metal titanium in a process called osseointegration.
A natural tooth has two main components: a root and a crown. By comparing natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you'll find they have the same essential parts. Both have a crown—the visible part used to chew food—and both have a root, which holds the tooth securely in place beneath the gum, anchored into the jaw. In the case of the implant, the difference is that its root is titanium—the same tried and tested metal used by surgeons in artificial joints. If you were to lose a tooth, you would lose both the root and the crown. To replace the missing tooth, our dentist first replaces the root with a small titanium dental implant. The jawbone is then allowed to heal and grow around the implant, creating a strong bond with the titanium and a solid foundation for the artificial tooth crown. We then place a support post—or abutment—on the implant and a new replacement tooth—or crown—on top of the abutment. It's possible to attach a temporary replacement tooth to the implant immediately after it's in place. If all of your teeth are missing, various restorative treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.
Our dentist, Dr. Clark, has taken extensive training on dental implants, bone grafting and soft tissue management for difficult cases. The Straumann implants that we use are the best in the industry. As such, our patients can receive their entire treatment in our practice, without the added price tag of going to an outside clinic.What are alternatives to dental implants?
Bridges: A bridge is a dental device used to fill the void left by tooth extraction. Bridges are sometimes necessary where spaces exist in the mouth to prevent the movement of neighbouring teeth.
When using a bridge, it's necessary to file down existing healthy teeth to their core—a permanent change to provide posts for the bridge. That involves removing the outside—enamel—of those teeth.
Maintaining healthy gums underneath a bridge is difficult, leading to gum disease and permanent loss of your original post teeth. That may also accelerate your costs over time if the post teeth aren't impeccably maintained.
Having a bridge also places considerable stress on post teeth, which could lead to early tooth loss. However, in the short run, bridges may be cheaper than implants.
Dentures:
Dentures inhibit your jaw from maintaining its natural shape, and bone loss may occur. In dentistry, this is called resorption. They can be loose-fitting and fall out, and they are a pain to take out and put in.
It's difficult to bite and chew with loose-fitting dentures. Consequently, the variety of food a person can comfortably eat becomes restricted. For some people, this limitation is enough to impact nutrition.
It's common for loose-fitting dentures to rub the underlying gums, causing persistent soreness. They can also trigger the gag reflex in some patients.What materials go into making dental implants?
Titanium composes the post that mimics the tooth root. This ultra-strong metal encourages healthy bone growth around it, causing minimal side effects. The top—or crown—of the implant material may differ depending on the use case.
Do dental implants feel like your own teeth?
Yes. We design implants to look and feel like your natural teeth—now that's a reason to smile!
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
Depending on your policy, some or all of the dental implant procedure may be covered by your insurance. We do take electronic insurance and your company's health card.
How long do dental implants typically last?
It's possible for dental implants to last up to 25 years, and, for some people, they can last as long 40 years, depending on how well they're maintained. Factors that may reduce the life of dental implants are: teeth grinding, smoking and not maintaining good oral health.
Are there any side effects to getting dental implants?
The side effects of getting dental implants are typically mild and short-lived—most patients experience little to no discomfort. Also, it's important to note that we use titanium in dental implants. This ultra-strong metal promotes healthy bone growth around it with minimal side effects. The top part, or crown, will look like your natural tooth, and there are no side effects from the material used to create it.
Why would I need to get a dental implant?
If you were to lose a tooth, it's common for the neighbouring teeth to shift into the void left by the missing tooth, causing many dental complications. By placing a dental implant in the space, you can prevent your teeth from moving and needing orthodontic care in the future. We also recommend dental implants as a treatment to conserve jawbone at the location of a missing tooth. Implants can also support dentures, retain your natural face shape and smile, and protect your remaining healthy teeth.
Can I get a bridge or a denture instead of a dental implant?
We can sometimes repair gaps due to one to three missing teeth with a dental bridge. We can repair many missing teeth on the top or bottom or the whole mouth with a dental prosthetic or removable dentures. When comparing dental implants' cost to other tooth-replacement options, it is vital to weigh the pros and cons.
Although dental implants may require a more considerable upfront investment, they are more secure and durable than bridges or dentures. Removable dental prosthetics require extra care and maintenance. You may need to have dental implants adjusted or replaced as you age. We recommend that you care for your dental implant as you do your natural teeth, including routine oral hygiene at home and regular dental examinations. When properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.Will my dental implant look and feel like my natural teeth?
Yes! Your dental implant could have a crown, a bridge or implant-supported dentures, custom-made to give you optimal comfort. We shape and colour your dental implants to match your existing teeth and bite. Our implants look so real that patients often have difficulty discerning their natural teeth from their beautiful new dental implants.
How soon can I return to work after getting an implant?
Most patients can return to work the day after implant surgery. Once we know what your treatment will entail exactly, we can give you a more accurate time estimate and let you know in advance if you should clear your schedule for longer. We always discuss all post-operative care instructions with you in advance of performing a procedure.
How often will I need check-ups after getting an implant?
The success of your implants will depend significantly on how well you care for them. They should be professionally cleaned and examined regularly, just like your natural teeth. We usually recommend a check-up approximately every six months. Still, we may recommend check-ups more or less often, depending on your specific requirements.
How should I care for dental implants?
We recommend that you care for your dental implants as you would the rest of your natural teeth. That includes regular brushing and flossing, cleanings and check-ups and letting your doctor know if you have any problems.
Where can I get dental implants in Niagara?
You can get dental implants right here at Niagara-on-the-Lake Dental. We provide dental implants of the highest quality to patients across Niagara, including St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls.
At our practice, Dr. Clark has taken extensive training on dental implants, bone grafting and soft tissue management for difficult cases. The Straumann implants that we use are the best in the industry. As such, our patients can receive their entire treatment in our practice, without the added price tag of going to an outside clinic.