Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution for tooth loss when placed and cared for properly. However, certain factors can influence their lifespan, including:

1.  Oral Hygiene: Maintaining oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing, plays a vital role in preserving the health of the implant and surrounding tissues.
2. Regular Dental Checkups: Regular checkups and cleanings are essential for ensuring the long-term success of the implant.
3. Lifestyle Choices: Certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can reduce the lifespan of implants by affecting the gum and bone structures surrounding them.
4. Overall Health: Conditions such as diabetes or diseases that affect bone and gum healing may also affect an implant's longevity.
5. Material and design: Advancements in both materials and implant design have significantly improved durability.

Dental Implant Care

With proper maintenance, the implant screw can last a lifetime. However, the crown attached to the implant may need to be replaced after 10-15 years due to normal wear and tear. Regular visits to the dentist and good oral hygiene practices can help extend the lifespan of your dental implant.

Other care tips to consider include brushing and flossing each day, using a water flosser to clean around your implant post, rinsing your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash, and avoiding chewing on ice or using your teeth as tools.

Signs Your Implant May Need Attention

Here are some things to watch out for; if you experience any of these symptoms, please get in touch with us for an appointment:

• Swollen or bleeding gums around the implant
• Persistent pain or soreness
• A loose or wobbly sensation
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Receding gum tissue around the implant
• Changes in your bite

Contact Your Dentist in East Vancouver

To learn more or to schedule a consultation with the dentist, call us today. 

An immediate dental implant refers to a procedure where an implant is placed in the jawbone immediately after a tooth extraction, as opposed to the traditional approach that requires a waiting period for the area to heal before placing the implant.

Immediate Dental Implants in East Vancouver

Here's a general overview of how immediate dental implants work:

1. Extraction: The damaged or decayed tooth is removed.
2. Implant Placement: Immediately after the extraction, a dental implant is inserted into the socket where the extracted tooth was located.
3. Temporary Crown: In some cases, a temporary crown may be placed on the implant during the appointment. This temporary crown helps to maintain the space and gum shape while allowing time for the implant to properly integrate with the bone.
4. Healing: The implant then gradually integrated with the bone through a process known as osseointegration, which typically takes 3-6 months.
5. Permanent Restoration: After successful osseointegration and full healing, the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent crown.

Benefits of Immediate Dental Implants

Immediate implants have a significant benefit of reducing the overall treatment time by combining tooth extraction and implant placement in one procedure. This method can also help preserve the structure of the jawbone and gum tissue, leading to improved results.

However, immediate dental implants may not be suitable for every patient. The decision to opt for this procedure depends on several factors such as the amount of remaining bone, the absence of infection, and the general health and lifestyle habits of the patient, such as smoking, which can impede the healing process. It is recommended to seek advice from a professional to determine whether immediate dental implantation is a viable treatment option.

At Alta Dental Studio, our dentists usually provide several replacement options for patients with missing tooth. Bridges and implants are both reliable solutions, but have their own pros and cons for our patients to consider. The biggest difference between the two procedures is how new teeth are held in place. 

Dental Implants in East Vancouver

Dental implants are individually placed into gum and serves as an artificial root, anchoring the replacement tooth in place. This also helps prevent bone loss and preserves jaw structure in the long run just like how your natural teeth do. An implant can be cared for just like any natural tooth. It also does not require removal of potentially healthy structure form the neighboring teeth to support it. A considerable time span is needed to complete the procedure. In such cases your doctor can place a temporary tooth in the empty space while you heal.

Dental Bridges

In comparison, a bridge provides a replacement tooth by using teeth on either side of the missing tooth for support. They can generally be completed in a week. Teeth adjacent to the missing teeth will need to be reduced, which may compromise the healthy tooth structure. Since a bridge does not replace the missing root structure, you are at an increased risk of bone loss over time. Also, keeping a bridge clean requires frequent cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup.

Every patient is different. Schedule a consultation appointment at Alta Dental Studio. Our experienced dentists will work with you to identify the best option for your tooth, your long-term oral health, and your budget.

A dental implant is considered the gold standard in tooth replacement because, unlike any other replacement option, it restores both the tooth and its root. 

An implant consists of three integral parts:

• The titanium post — Our dentists surgically place the implant into the jawbone, where it naturally integrates and fuses with the bone because titanium is biocompatible.
• The abutment — the connector between the implant and its restoration.
• The restoration — A custom-designed porcelain crown replaces a single tooth. Tooth implants can also support a bridge or denture to replace multiple teeth.

Why Is Tooth Replacement Important?

Without tooth replacement, teeth will begin to shift, leading to bite misalignment. Your bone will also begin to deteriorate over time with tooth loss. 

A dental implant in East Vancouver protects bone health by replacing the root and maintaining facial structure. Protecting bite alignment with tooth replacement ensures good function and guards against jaw joint (TMJ) concerns.

Dental implants also offer the feel, look, and function of a natural tooth. They offer exceptional longevity, potentially lasting a lifetime.

Contact your team at Alta Dental at (604) 876-5032 to learn more about your tooth replacement options.