One of the worst things I have to tell a patient is, “we’re going to have to pull that tooth”. It’s heartbreaking to have to tell someone that they’re going to lose a tooth, no matter what the reason is. And, it can be very traumatizing for the patient. I’m happy, however, to say that with the advancements of dental implants, losing a tooth is not what it once was.
First, let me give a brief explanation of how dental implants work. A dental implant, for lack of a better image, looks like a screw. It is inserted into the area of bone where the root of the tooth used to be. That bone heals and integrates itself around the implant, making it very stable. Once everything is fully integrated, that implant is ready to be crowned. An impression is taken, and a custom crown is made to fit over that implant. If planned and executed properly, the results of an implant can very closely mimic the form and function of a natural tooth. (Here is a little video to further illustrate the process:
I know that this might sound like a scary procedure for some, but let me assure you that I’ve never heard a patient describe it as being a painful experience. In fact, most patients are amazed at how simple the procedure is. Financially they are an investment, but dental implants have an extremely high success rate (>90%). As long as they are taken care of properly, it is unlikely to have problems down the road. Speaking of which, taking care of an implant is basically the same as taking care of your teeth. All they require is regular brushing and flossing, and scaling from your dental hygienist.
Also, what people may not know is that you can do more than just replace a single tooth with an implant. You can replace long spans of missing teeth with implant-supported bridges. You can even use implants to anchor and support dentures! This means no more loose dentures that fall out when you talk or sneeze and no more annoying denture adhesives. Dental implants have been a complete game changer in how dentistry is done nowadays.
So while saying goodbye to a tooth is never an easy thing, hopefully patients can take comfort in knowing that there is a fantastic alternative out there to give them back their smiles. Give us a call at 780-428-2331 or book an appointment online now to discuss your dental implant needs.