If you are missing a tooth - or multiple teeth - the team at Bayers Road Dental Centre is proud to offer dental implants as a solution!
When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth will shift position in an attempt to fill the gap, and your jawbone can resorb. This may change your appearance and cause you to look older. You may find yourself restricted from eating certain foods, because of pain or discomfort. You may even be self-conscious about having your photo taken, or speaking up in a social situation. Fortunately, at Bayers Road Dental, we offer cosmetic dentistry in Halifax to help you solve your dental problems.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that functions like a tooth root in bone. The implant is integrated into your jawbone for a long-lasting, secure restoration. A dental crown is then attached to the implant, giving you the look of a natural tooth. Dental implants in Halifax can also be used to secure a denture, preventing it from shifting in your mouth.
How is a dental implant done?
Firstly, our dentists in Halifax will do a consultation appointment with you before performing any treatments in your mouth. We will take x-rays and pictures to further examine the area. Further review of your medical history will take place, as well as, creating a treatment plan for you.
Next, on the day of your dental implant procedure, our dentists will put local anesthesia on the site. They will remove damaged teeth, then our dentists will make a cut to open your gum and expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as the tooth root, it's implanted deep into the bone. Before we place a crown or an artificial tooth, the surgical site needs to properly heal first.
The second appointment is the placing of the crown or artificial tooth. The gums need to heal first, which will roughly take around 3-4 months. Once healed, however, impressions of your mouth are taken and sent to the lab where your tooth is made. In the meantime, a temporary crown is placed on the site until the permanent crown is finished.
What are the post-surgery instructions:
To prevent discomfort and promote healing from the operation just performed, please follow the instructions.
- Please take the prescribed medications as directed prior to the local anesthetic wears off (i.e. one hour)
- Limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid spicy and very hot food for one week. Do not use a straw.
- Avoid rinsing and spitting aggressively for 48 hours.
- Avoid smoking for 72 hours, as this may increase your risk of developing a dry socket, post-op infection and delay healing
- There may be occasional blood in the saliva for the first four to five hours. Apply pressure with a clean moist face cloth or moist sterile gauze to source of bleeding. If bleeding persists for more than one hour after constant pressure please contact our office.
- Gently apply ice to outside of face overlying surgical areas, alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation.
- If a surgical dressing has been used it will become semi-rigid within a few hours. If it becomes loose or falls out please call our office.
- You should use your toothbrush but avoid vigorous brushing of surgical areas.
If you think you need dental implants, contact us to book an appointment.