Dental Implants: Types, Materials Used, Benefits, and Cost

For some patients, having a minor or large tooth gap can be a source of embarrassment causing them to hide their teeth when they smile. Tooth gaps or missing teeth can negatively impact your confidence as well as your ability to chew food and speak clearly. If left untreated for too long, missing teeth can also cause potentially serious dental health issues later on as teeth may begin to shift out of alignment. Dental implants are an affordable, convenient, and discreet solution to closing gaps in your teeth without drawing any attention to the affected area.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, it’s worth exploring the different benefits of dental implants and how they can improve the look, functionality and health of your teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth that are affixed or surgically implanted to areas that are missing teeth. Patients with multiple missing teeth can have multiple dental implants placed as needed. They can be in a single row or in different parts of the mouth.

Dental implants consist of a post that’s inserted directly into your jawbone to secure the fixture into place. The post acts as a support system for the rest of the structure. Once the incision site is healed and the post becomes fully integrated into the jawbone, the next step is to attach the abutment, which is also known as the connector. The abutment connects the existing post to the crown, which is made to look exactly like the missing tooth. The crown is the only component of the entire structure that’s visible when you smile. Once it’s placed, your dentist will reshape it to make it look more like an authentic tooth.

What Material Is Used for Dental Implants?

Depending on specific patient needs, each component of a dental implant can be made of different composite or singular materials.

• Titanium dental implants. Many modern dental implants contain or are made entirely of medical-grade titanium metal, particularly in the post or the abutment. In fact, titanium is very rapidly becoming the standard material for dental implants because of its ability to integrate seamlessly into the bone structure if undisturbed during the healing process. Other materials for these components include stainless steel, zirconia, or gold, although, the latter is less common nowadays.
• Zirconia dental implants. Zirconia is the most common material for the crown portion of the dental implant because it can be made to closely resemble a natural tooth. Other materials that share the same trait include porcelain and ceramic.

Patients can select their preferred material based on their desired aesthetic, budget, and allergies to certain materials. Dentists can also make informed material recommendations based on certain individual specifications.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Based on individual patient needs and dentist recommendations, there are three main types of dental implants.

Endosteal Dental Implants

Endosteal implants are the most common types of dental implants. They’re inserted directly into the jawbone using a titanium post or screw that acts as a durable and stable support structure for the rest of the components. A healthy and strong jawbone is required for this procedure to be successful.

Subperiosteal Dental Implants

Subperiosteal dental implants are an alternative solution to endosteal dental implants for patients who have a weak or unhealthy jawbone due to injury or illness. Patients with a weak jawbone don’t qualify for endosteal dental implants because the procedure places too much strain on their bone structure and could cause further injury. They would need to undergo an invasive bone augmentation procedure to rebuild the structure of the jawbone. Since subperiosteal dental implants are placed under the gum line and on top of the jawbone instead of being drilled into it, this is the better option for patients who have sustained a jaw injury.

Zygomatic Dental Implants

Zygomatic implant procedures are incredibly complicated and therefore only reserved for specific cases in which neither endosteal nor subperiosteal implants are viable. This procedure involves placing the dental implant inside the patient’s cheekbone instead of in or on the jawbone. Designed for patients with significant oral bone loss, zygomatic dental implants are slanted and much longer than endosteal and subperiosteal dental implants.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

For patients with missing teeth there are many benefits to getting dental implants.

• Dental implants are made to look exactly like your natural teeth.
• They’re completely discreet and no one will ever know you’ve had dental work done.
• They can help restore the beauty of your smile.
• They can help you regain enough confidence to show your teeth when you smile.
• They can improve your dental health by preventing your teeth from shifting.
• Dental implants reduce the risk of oral infections caused by missing teeth.
• Dental implants function like your natural teeth and restore your ability to chew food comfortably.
• Compared to dentures, dental implants are extremely easy to take care of. Just brush and floss them like your natural teeth.

What Is the Average Cost of Dental Implants in Canada?

The average cost of dental implants in Canada varies widely depending on the number of missing teeth being replaced and whether preparatory procedures like a bone augmentation, ridge expansion, or sinus lift are required in advance. Procedural complications infection, bleeding, numbness and injury to the surrounding sinus cavity or muscles are rare. However, if any of these complications do occur, then further treatment will be needed.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, dental implants are typically a one-time cost that might not be covered by your dental plan, but you can work out a payment plan with your dental clinic.

Book an Appointment with a Dental Office in Etobicoke

Princeview Dental Group is an Etobicoke dental clinic that serves patients all across Toronto and the GTA. Our staff is always ready and available to answer all of your questions and concerns regarding your dental health. At our clinic, we can help you decide if dental implants are for you. Please feel free to contact us today if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment.