A dental implant is a small post set into the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth, a bridge or a denture. If you are missing teeth, Forest Glade Dental Centre at 9881 Tecumseh Rd East in Windsor can examine your mouth and explain whether implants suit you. Call (519) 979-8834.
What a dental implant is
An implant takes the place of a tooth root. The post is made of titanium and sits beneath the gum, inside the jawbone. Once the bone has grown snugly around it, the post can carry a single crown, a bridge that fills a longer gap, or a denture that clips on. The visible tooth or teeth are made separately and attached to the post afterwards.
Are implants right for me?
Not everyone is ready for an implant at the first visit. Our dentists look at the bone where the post would sit, the health of your gums, your medical history and the medicines you take. Smoking, gum disease and some long-term health conditions can slow healing, so they are part of the conversation. Some people need gum treatment or bone building first, and others are better served by a bridge or a denture. An exam and images of the jaw give the answer, and you are welcome to ask about every option.
What the process involves
Implant care follows the same general order for most people, although the details change from person to person.
- Exam and imaging. Our dentists review your history, check your teeth and gums and look at images of the jawbone.
- Planning. You talk through the options, the number of teeth being replaced and the steps ahead, and you receive an estimate for your own plan.
- Placing the implant. The area is numbed and the post is set into the bone during a short surgical visit. Some soreness afterwards is common.
- Healing. The bone needs time to bond with the post. This is the longest stage, and its length is different for each person.
- The new tooth. Once the post is secure, the crown, bridge or denture is attached and your bite is checked.
At your consultation we go through which of these visits take place at our Tecumseh Rd East office, so you know what to expect before you decide.
Implants compared with a bridge or a denture
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining a false tooth to the teeth on either side, so those neighbours have to be shaped to hold it. A conventional denture rests on the gums and can shift when you eat or speak. An implant stands on its own in the bone and does not depend on the neighbouring teeth, but it involves more steps and a longer wait. Each choice has trade-offs, which is why the decision comes after an exam rather than before one.
Looking after an implant
An implant needs the same daily care as natural teeth: brushing, cleaning between the teeth and keeping your check-ups, so that our dentists can look at the gums, test the bite and confirm the post is still firm. The gum around an implant can become inflamed when plaque builds up, so cleaning right to the gum line matters. Our blog post on taking care of dental implants after surgery explains what recovery can look like.
Cost and insurance
The fee depends on how many implants are needed, whether bone or gum treatment comes first and which kind of replacement tooth goes on top. We give you an estimate after your exam, never before it. Dental plans treat implants differently, so bring your benefits details and compare them with the estimate.
Dental implants in Forest Glade, Windsor
Forest Glade Dental Centre is at 9881 Tecumseh Rd East, Windsor, ON N8R 1A5. If you are weighing dental implants against a bridge or dentures, call (519) 979-8834 to arrange an exam. To read about replacing most or all of the teeth in one arch, see our page on implant dentures in Forest Glade. If you are thinking about a full arch of new teeth on implants, see our page on full-arch dental implants in Forest Glade.
Frequently asked questions
Do dental implants hurt?
The area is numbed before the implant is placed, which is meant to keep you comfortable during the visit. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is also offered at our office. Some tenderness, swelling or bruising can follow for a few days, and our dentists will tell you how to manage it. Call the office if soreness grows instead of settling.
How long does the whole process take?
There is no single answer. The bone needs time to bond with the post before the final tooth goes on, and some people need gum or bone treatment first. After your exam you will receive a timeline for your own plan.
What if I do not have enough bone?
Bone can shrink after a tooth is lost. Some people can still have an implant once the bone has been built up, while others are better suited to a bridge or a denture. An exam and images of the jaw show what is possible.
Can I get implants if I already wear a denture?
Many denture wearers ask this. Implants can be used to hold a denture in place, and an exam shows whether your bone and gums are ready.
Will my insurance pay for an implant?
Dental plans differ, and some do not cover implants. Bring your benefits details to your exam and compare your plan with the estimate we give you.
Book a dental implant exam
Call (519) 979-8834 to book a dental implant exam at Forest Glade Dental Centre, 9881 Tecumseh Rd East, Windsor.