If you’re considering a solution for missing teeth, our team at Ti Dental can help you explore your options, including dental implants.
Dental implants are most commonly made from titanium or zirconia, which are both biocompatible materials that your body accepts. These materials are chosen for their strength and their ability to fuse with your jawbone, creating a durable foundation for a new tooth.
A Look at Common Dental Implant Materials
You may be curious about what goes into a dental implant. These materials are chosen for their strength and ability to work well with your body.
Titanium — A Trusted Standard
Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal that has a long history of use in medical and dental procedures. It is biocompatible, which means your body accepts it. This property allows your jawbone to fuse directly to the implant, creating a sturdy foundation that the Canadian Dental Association describes as an artificial root for your new tooth.
Zirconia — A Metal-Free Option
Zirconia is a type of very strong, tooth-coloured ceramic. It’s a good choice for people who may have sensitivities to metals, and it serves as an excellent alternative to titanium. Like titanium, it is also biocompatible and bonds well with your jawbone, making it one of several effective options for replacing missing teeth.
How a Dental Implant Works
A dental implant is more than just a single piece. It’s a complete system of three parts that work together to replace your missing tooth from the root all the way to the crown.
The 3 Main Parts of an Implant
- The Implant Post: This is a small, screw-like post that is placed into your jawbone. It acts as a new tooth root.
- The Abutment: This is a connector piece that attaches to the top of the implant post, just above the gumline.
- The Crown: This is a new, custom-made tooth that’s secured to the abutment. It’s the part of the implant you see when you smile.
The Steps to Get Your New Tooth
The journey to a new smile involves a few different steps. A discussion with your dentist can help you understand the full dental implant procedure for your situation.
- Consultation & Plan: Your mouth is examined to see if an implant is the right fit for you.
- Implant Placement: The implant post is gently placed in your jawbone.
- Healing Time: Over a few months, your jawbone naturally fuses to the implant post in a process called osseointegration.
- Place Your New Tooth: Once the implant has healed, the abutment and your final crown are attached.
Full Arch Implants & All-on-4 Solutions
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, options are available to restore a full smile. You don’t need an individual implant for every single missing tooth.
Replace a Full Set of Teeth
Full arch dental implants—often called All-on-4—can replace an entire upper or lower row of teeth. This approach uses just a few strategically placed implants to support a full bridge of new, permanent teeth.
How All-on-4 Implants Work
With an all-on-4 treatment, four dental implants are carefully placed in your jaw. These implants then act as strong anchors for your full arch of beautiful, natural-looking teeth.
What to Consider Before You Choose Implants
Dental implants are a popular choice for replacing teeth. It helps to know a few things about the process before you begin.
Your Jawbone & Gum Health
To support an implant, you need healthy gums and enough jawbone. If your jawbone needs a little help, a procedure like a bone graft may be an option to build it up and prepare it for an implant.
Your Healing Time
The process isn’t completed in one day. It takes a few months for your jawbone to fully integrate with the implant. This healing period is an important part of the long-term success of your new tooth.
How to Care for Your Implant
Caring for an implant is straightforward. You just need to follow proper brushing and flossing techniques, the same way you care for your natural teeth. Regular dental checkups are also important to keep everything healthy.
Common Questions About Life With Implants
It’s natural to have questions about how a dental implant will fit into your everyday life. Here are a few common topics people ask about.
MRIs & Dental Implants
Yes, you can typically still have an MRI. Most modern implants are made from titanium, which is not magnetic and is considered safe for MRI scans. Nonetheless, it’s always a good practice to let the MRI technician know you have a dental implant.
Metal Detectors & Your Implant
It’s very unlikely that your dental implant will set off a metal detector. The amount of metal in a single implant is usually too small to be picked up by standard security scanners at places like airports.If you have more questions about dental implants and want to explore your options with a dentist in SW Calgary, our team at Ti Dental is here to help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and find a path toward a renewed smile.
