Dental implants are a fascinating piece of dental technology, and they have helped billions of people worldwide regain the strength and appearance of their teeth. When a tooth is missing or severely decayed, our dentists can replace them with strong titanium posts that bind with the underlying jawbone to allow for normal tooth function and bone regrowth. These titanium structures have white crowns that look just like real teeth, giving you a perfectly natural-looking smile that is both beautiful and functional. Contact our team at Trillium Dental in Ottawa if you are interested in Smile-In-A-Day dental implants, or keep reading for some fast facts about dental implants!

DENTAL IMPLANTS ORIGINATED IN CHINA IN 2000 BC

Dental implants as we know them are a somewhat recent dental technology that is constantly evolving, but the origins of dental implants date back to the Ancient Chinese and Egyptians. Archaeological findings show that in approximately 2000 BC, the Chinese used carved bamboo pegs to replace missing teeth, and Egyptian royalty may have hammered copper pegs into the spaces where their teeth used to be. However, it wasn’t until 1965 when the first titanium dental implant was surgically placed in a dental patient by Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon. The patient had a cleft palate, a deformed jaw, and was missing all his lower teeth, but he was able to live with four dental implants and dentures for more than 40 years after the procedure.

DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE ALMOST AS STRONG AS REAL TEETH

Unlike dentures and other restorative dentistry alternatives, dental implants are nearly as strong as real teeth. This means that you can talk and chew like you would normally, and that there are no limitations to what you can and can’t eat with dental implants. Thanks to Branemark’s invention of the modern dental implant with titanium posts screwing into the jawbone, patients who have had a dental implant procedure can live a normal life without worrying about their teeth breaking or falling out. In a way, dental implants are almost stronger than normal teeth in the sense that they cannot develop tooth cavities; however, it is still important to maintain good oral hygiene so you don’t develop gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease.

DENTAL IMPLANTS STIMULATE JAWBONE REGROWTH

Dental implants are also the only restorative dentistry procedure that facilitates jawbone regrowth. This is because the titanium posts are screwed into the bone, preserving it and allowing it to grow naturally as it is stimulated by the patient’s bite. However, is important to note that patients must have sufficient jawbone density for their dental implants to screw into for a successful procedure. Overall, dental implants have a high success rate (90-98 percent, depending on the patient’s lifestyle and whether partial or full dental implants are placed), and the best candidates for dental implants don’t have gum disease, smoke cigarettes, or grind their teeth.

DENTAL IMPLANTS CAN EITHER BE COMPLETE OR PARTIAL

Modern dental technology has made it possible for patients to get custom dental implants that serve their unique needs. In somewhat rare cases, usually due to genetic diseases, patients require full dental implants, but most patients only need a few. At Trillium Dental, we offer partial dental implants (usually four to six) that are restored with a temporary, hybrid denture that reduces the need for invasive bone grafting or lots of dental implants. Even better, you’ll walk out of our Ottawa dental clinic with beautiful, pearly whites in a single appointment!

DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURES TAKE LESS THAN A DAY

At Trillium Dental, we offer Smile-In-A-Day dental implants, also known as same-day dental implants, which sound exactly like what they are. Upon visiting us for a dental implant consultation, we will determine whether or not you would be a good candidate for Smile-In-A-Day and discuss our dental implant prices with you. Then, we’ll schedule your dental implant procedure, where you’ll be sedated and have your implants placed with a hybrid denture.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand the basics of dental implants, as well as some reasons to consider them if you have decayed or missing teeth. Interested in learning more about Smile-In-A-Day and whether you’d be a good candidate? Want to know more about the cost of dental implants? Contact us today for more information, or book an appointment online at Trillium Dental in Ottawa!