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At our dental implant clinic in St. Catharines, we want to help our patients to better understand our dental procedures.

What are dental implants?

Dental Implants are small titanium screws that are used to replace teeth. They may also be used to retain full jaw bridges. These titanium metal posts act as anchors in the bone. Dental implants biologically fuse (osseointegrate) to the bone to provide a permanent foundation for new teeth. Dental implants are stronger than natural teeth, prevent further bone loss and will last for many years. For single tooth replacement, dental implants may be placed at the same time as the dental extraction if the bone conditions are appropriate. If immediate placement is not possible, a bone graft material is placed in the extraction socket and allowed to regenerate natural bone over time. The bone graft material typically requires 4 to 5 months time to harden before the dental implant may be inserted.

Temporary single tooth retainers are often recommended for appearance but also to maintain the space and prevent drifting of adjacant teeth. Once the implant is inserted, 3 to 4 months time will be required for the titanium and the bone to fuse. On occasion, immediate tooth fabrication will be performed if the conditions are ideal and implant is inserted at adequate torque.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Vigna will be able to fabricate both the temporary retainer and the final tooth digitally with his new PrimeScan Intra-Oral Scanner. No more gagging with impression material. No more drooling while you wait for the impression material to set.

The digital impression is sent to the local lab and within a week, the temporary tooth is inserted for you. Dr. Vigna will also be able to fabricate your final Zirconia crown via a custom dental lab in Boston, Massachusetts once the implant foundation is fused to the bone, or immediately as detailed above.

 

New techniques allow Dr. Vigna to use an angulated access channels to insert your tooth crown into the implant. This significantly reduces the need to cement (glue) the tooth onto the implant. Cement is toxic to the gum and bone and is responsible for 81% of implant infections (peri-implantitis). For more information on dental implants in St. Catharines, call us today.